CINXE.COM

<!doctype html> <html class="no-js finehomebuilding " lang="en-US"> <head> <meta charset="UTF-8"> <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge,chrome=1"> <meta name='viewport' content='width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0' /> <meta property="fb:pages" content="47821345812" /> <link rel="shortcut icon" href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/app/themes/finehomebuilding/favicon.ico" /> <meta name="dfp-path" content="/7222/ttn.fhb" />  <script>if(window.performance) {performance.mark('taunton:documenthead:start');performance.mark('taunton:gdpr:start');}</script><script src="https://dvrugxe9y0n6d.cloudfront.net/geo/2.2.2/taunton-user-consent.js"></script><script>if(window.performance) {performance.mark('taunton:gdpr:end');performance.measure('taunton:gdpr', 'taunton:gdpr:start', 'taunton:gdpr:end');}</script> <script> if ('serviceWorker' in navigator) { window.addEventListener('load', function() { navigator.serviceWorker.register('/sw.js') .then(function(registration) { console.log('Service Worker registered!'); }) .catch(function(err) { console.log('Registration failed', err); }); }); } </script> <script> if( window.location && window.location.hash ){ try{ var url_jump_link = window.location.hash; if (url_jump_link.match(/\#track=true\&email=/)) { window.location.replace(window.location.pathname) } }catch(err){ if (typeof console != 'undefined' ){ console.log( err ) } } } // Global FHB object var FHB = { scripts: {} }; FHB.user = { "level" : "anonymous", "authStatus" : "logged out", "favorite" : false, }; FHB.page = { "accessType" : "free", "channel" : "", "topics" : ['drywall','remodeling','walls','joist-hangers','steel'], "pageType" : "article", "contentID" : "525503", "collection": "", "video" : false, "isSSL" : true, "disableAds" : false, "forceGate" : false, "isAccountPage" : false, "meter" : true }; FHB.page.title = "I-Beam to the Rescue"; FHB.page.publishDate = "2024-05-24"; FHB.page.issueTitle = "Issue 324 - July 2024"; FHB.util = { loadTime : function() { if (typeof window['performance'] !== 'undefined') { return new Date - performance.timing.navigationStart; } }, "reCaptchaKey" : "6LehZe0iAAAAAHqTxBZVxKcRuSEER3Id54dncqfV" }; </script> <script> window.requestIdleCallback = window.requestIdleCallback || function (cb) { var start = Date.now(); return setTimeout(function () { cb({ didTimeout: false, timeRemaining: function () { return Math.max(0, 50 - (Date.now() - start)); } }); }, 1); } window.cancelIdleCallback = window.cancelIdleCallback || function (id) { clearTimeout(id); } </script>   <script> var deviceType = /iPad/.test(navigator.userAgent) ? "t" : /Mobile|iP(hone|od)|Android|BlackBerry|IEMobile|Silk/.test(navigator.userAgent) ? "m" : "d"; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; window.dataLayer.push({ 'access_type': FHB.page.accessType, 'login_status' : FHB.user.authStatus, 'user_level': FHB.user.level, 'channel': FHB.page.channel, 'pagetype': FHB.page.pageType, 'contentID': FHB.page.contentID, 'collection': FHB.page.collection, 'video_article': FHB.page.video, 'favorite': FHB.user.favorite, 'category_json': ['drywall','remodeling','walls'], 'tag_json': ['joist-hangers','remodeling','steel'], 'topic_json' : ['drywall','remodeling','walls','joist-hangers','steel'], 'email_hash': '', 'device_type': deviceType, 'disable_ads' : FHB.page.disableAds, 'hide_nativo': false, 'issue_title': FHB.page.issueTitle, 'publish_date': FHB.page.publishDate }); </script>  <script>(function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start': new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src= 'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f); })(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-TNT6W7C');</script>    <script> (function(d) { var config = { kitId: 'hjb2qap', scriptTimeout: 3000, async: true }, h=d.documentElement,t=setTimeout(function(){h.className=h.className.replace(/\bwf-loading\b/g,"")+" wf-inactive";},config.scriptTimeout),tk=d.createElement("script"),f=false,s=d.getElementsByTagName("script")[0],a;h.className+=" wf-loading";tk.src='https://use.typekit.net/'+config.kitId+'.js';tk.async=true;tk.onload=tk.onreadystatechange=function(){a=this.readyState;if(f||a&&a!="complete"&&a!="loaded")return;f=true;clearTimeout(t);try{Typekit.load(config)}catch(e){}};s.parentNode.insertBefore(tk,s) })(document); </script>  <script> FHB.dfp = { path: "/7222/ttn.fhb", possibleSlots: { "dfp-leaderboard-1" : { "sizes" : [[728, 90], [970, 250],[970, 90]], //"sizes" : [[728, 90], [970, 90]], "targeting" : [["pos", "top"]], "sizeMapping" : [ [[1121, 0], [[970,250], [728, 90], [970, 90]]], //[[1000, 0], [[728, 90], [970, 90]]], [[728, 0], [[728, 90]]], [[0, 0], [[320, 50]]] ], "companion": true }, "dfp-leaderboard-2" : { "sizes" : [[728, 90], [970, 250]], "targeting" : [["pos", "mid"]], "sizeMapping" : [ [[1121, 0], [[970, 250], [728, 90]]], [[728, 0], [[728, 90]]], [[0, 0], [[320, 50]]] ] }, "dfp-leaderboard-3" : { "sizes" : [[728, 90], [970, 250]], "sizeMapping" : [ [[1121, 0], [[970, 250], [728, 90]]], [[728, 0], [[728, 90]]], [[0, 0], [[320, 50]]] ] }, "dfp-rectangle-1" : { "sizes" : [[300, 250], [300, 600]], "targeting" : [["pos", "top"]], "companion": true }, "dfp-rectangle-2" : { "sizes" : [[300, 250]], "targeting" : [["pos", "mid"]] }, "dfp-rectangle-3" : { "sizes" : [[300, 250]], "targeting" : [["pos", "bottom"]] }, "dfp-rectangle-desktop-extra" : { "sizes" : [[300, 250]], "targeting" : [["pos", "desktop_extra"]] }, "dfp-rectangle-slideshow" : { "sizes" : [[300, 250]], "targeting" : [["pos", "left"]] }, "dfp-rectangle-firework" : { "sizes" : [[300, 250]], "targeting" : [["pos", "firework"]] }, "dfp-interstitial" : { "sizes" : [[640, 480]], "sizeMapping" : [ [[640, 520], [640, 480]], [[0, 0], []] ], "collapse" : true, "overrideSafeFrame" : true, }, "dfp-skin" : { "sizes" : [[3, 3]], "overrideSafeFrame" : true, }, "dfp-inread" : { "sizes" : [[1, 1]], "collapse" : true, "overrideSafeFrame" : true, }, "dfp-logo" : { "sizes" : [[140, 67],[88, 31]], "collapse" : true } } }; </script> <script async src="https://securepubads.g.doubleclick.net/tag/js/gpt.js"></script> <script> window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []}; </script>  <script src="https://www.google.com/recaptcha/api.js?render=6LehZe0iAAAAAHqTxBZVxKcRuSEER3Id54dncqfV" async></script> <script> if(typeof grecaptcha === 'undefined') { grecaptcha = {}; } grecaptcha.ready = function(cb){ if(typeof grecaptcha === 'undefined') { const c = '___grecaptcha_cfg'; window[c] = window[c] || {}; (window[c]['fns'] = window[c]['fns']||[]).push(cb); } else { cb(); } } </script> <script> FHB.page.TestConsent = true; </script>   <script async src="//asset.fwcdn2.com/js/embed-feed.js"></script>  <meta property="fb:pages" content="47821345812"> <meta name='robots' content='index, follow, max-image-preview:large, max-snippet:-1, max-video-preview:-1' />  <title>Installing Steel I-Beams in a Farmhouse Remodel - Fine Homebuilding</title> <meta name="description" content="From planning load paths to raising and fastening beams for modernized living spaces, learn everything about installing steel I-beams." /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2024/05/24/i-beam-to-the-rescue" /> <meta property="og:locale" content="en_US" /> <meta property="og:type" content="article" /> <meta property="og:title" content="Installing Steel I-Beams in a Farmhouse Remodel - Fine Homebuilding" /> <meta property="og:description" content="From planning load paths to raising and fastening beams for modernized living spaces, learn everything about installing steel I-beams." /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2024/05/24/i-beam-to-the-rescue" /> <meta property="og:site_name" content="Fine Homebuilding" /> <meta property="article:published_time" content="2024-05-24T17:22:25+00:00" /> <meta property="article:modified_time" content="2024-11-07T19:07:48+00:00" /> <meta property="og:image" content="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21132755/01232436-i-beam-to-rescue-feature-scaled-thumb-16x9.jpg" /> <meta property="og:image:width" content="460" /> <meta property="og:image:height" content="260" /> <meta property="og:image:type" content="image/jpeg" /> <meta name="author" content="Abby Cote" /> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" /> <script type="application/ld+json" class="yoast-schema-graph">{"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2024/05/24/i-beam-to-the-rescue","url":"https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2024/05/24/i-beam-to-the-rescue","name":"Installing Steel I-Beams in a Farmhouse Remodel - Fine Homebuilding","isPartOf":{"@id":"https://www.finehomebuilding.com/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2024/05/24/i-beam-to-the-rescue#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2024/05/24/i-beam-to-the-rescue#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21132755/01232436-i-beam-to-rescue-feature-scaled-thumb-16x9.jpg","datePublished":"2024-05-24T17:22:25+00:00","dateModified":"2024-11-07T19:07:48+00:00","author":{"@id":"https://www.finehomebuilding.com/#/schema/person/ade2a43a3cbec9546c38e726dcbb9e3d"},"description":"From planning load paths to raising and fastening beams for modernized living spaces, learn everything about installing steel I-beams.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2024/05/24/i-beam-to-the-rescue#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2024/05/24/i-beam-to-the-rescue"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2024/05/24/i-beam-to-the-rescue#primaryimage","url":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21132755/01232436-i-beam-to-rescue-feature-scaled-thumb-16x9.jpg","contentUrl":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21132755/01232436-i-beam-to-rescue-feature-scaled-thumb-16x9.jpg","width":460,"height":260,"caption":"THUMBNAIL-16x9"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2024/05/24/i-beam-to-the-rescue#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://www.finehomebuilding.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"I-Beam to the Rescue"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https://www.finehomebuilding.com/#website","url":"https://www.finehomebuilding.com/","name":"Fine Homebuilding","description":"Expert home construction tips, tool reviews, remodeling design and layout ideas, house project plans, and advice for homeowners","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https://www.finehomebuilding.com/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https://www.finehomebuilding.com/#/schema/person/ade2a43a3cbec9546c38e726dcbb9e3d","name":"Abby Cote","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https://www.finehomebuilding.com/#/schema/person/image/","url":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3051ab1b8b464cdb1d8a791adfb35b1a?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3051ab1b8b464cdb1d8a791adfb35b1a?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Abby Cote"},"url":"https://www.finehomebuilding.com/author/acoteaimmedia-com"}]}</script>  <link rel='dns-prefetch' href='//d4c5gb8slvq7w.cloudfront.net' /> <link rel='dns-prefetch' href='//s3.amazonaws.com' /> <link rel='preconnect' href='https://d4c5gb8slvq7w.cloudfront.net' /> <link rel='preconnect' href='https://s3.amazonaws.com' /> <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="Fine Homebuilding » Feed" href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/feed" /> <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="Fine Homebuilding » Comments Feed" href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/comments/feed" /> <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="Fine Homebuilding » I-Beam to the Rescue Comments Feed" href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2024/05/24/i-beam-to-the-rescue/feed" /> <style id='classic-theme-styles-inline-css' type='text/css'> /*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} </style> <style id='global-styles-inline-css' type='text/css'> :root{--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--square: 1;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--4-3: 4/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-4: 3/4;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-2: 3/2;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--2-3: 2/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--16-9: 16/9;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--9-16: 9/16;--wp--preset--color--black: #000000;--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray: #abb8c3;--wp--preset--color--white: #ffffff;--wp--preset--color--pale-pink: #f78da7;--wp--preset--color--vivid-red: #cf2e2e;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange: #ff6900;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber: #fcb900;--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan: #7bdcb5;--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan: #00d084;--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue: #8ed1fc;--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue: #0693e3;--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple: #9b51e0;--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(6,147,227,1) 0%,rgb(155,81,224) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(122,220,180) 0%,rgb(0,208,130) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(252,185,0,1) 0%,rgba(255,105,0,1) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(255,105,0,1) 0%,rgb(207,46,46) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(238,238,238) 0%,rgb(169,184,195) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(74,234,220) 0%,rgb(151,120,209) 20%,rgb(207,42,186) 40%,rgb(238,44,130) 60%,rgb(251,105,98) 80%,rgb(254,248,76) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,206,236) 0%,rgb(152,150,240) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(254,205,165) 0%,rgb(254,45,45) 50%,rgb(107,0,62) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,203,112) 0%,rgb(199,81,192) 50%,rgb(65,88,208) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,245,203) 0%,rgb(182,227,212) 50%,rgb(51,167,181) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(202,248,128) 0%,rgb(113,206,126) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--midnight: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(2,3,129) 0%,rgb(40,116,252) 100%);--wp--preset--font-size--small: 13px;--wp--preset--font-size--medium: 20px;--wp--preset--font-size--large: 36px;--wp--preset--font-size--x-large: 42px;--wp--preset--spacing--20: 0.44rem;--wp--preset--spacing--30: 0.67rem;--wp--preset--spacing--40: 1rem;--wp--preset--spacing--50: 1.5rem;--wp--preset--spacing--60: 2.25rem;--wp--preset--spacing--70: 3.38rem;--wp--preset--spacing--80: 5.06rem;--wp--preset--shadow--natural: 6px 6px 9px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);--wp--preset--shadow--deep: 12px 12px 50px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4);--wp--preset--shadow--sharp: 6px 6px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);--wp--preset--shadow--outlined: 6px 6px 0px -3px rgba(255, 255, 255, 1), 6px 6px rgba(0, 0, 0, 1);--wp--preset--shadow--crisp: 6px 6px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 1);}:where(.is-layout-flex){gap: 0.5em;}:where(.is-layout-grid){gap: 0.5em;}body .is-layout-flex{display: flex;}.is-layout-flex{flex-wrap: wrap;align-items: center;}.is-layout-flex > :is(*, div){margin: 0;}body .is-layout-grid{display: grid;}.is-layout-grid > :is(*, div){margin: 0;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-flex){gap: 2em;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-grid){gap: 2em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-flex){gap: 1.25em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-grid){gap: 1.25em;}.has-black-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red) !important;}.has-very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-cool-to-warm-spectrum-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum) !important;}.has-blush-light-purple-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple) !important;}.has-blush-bordeaux-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux) !important;}.has-luminous-dusk-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk) !important;}.has-pale-ocean-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean) !important;}.has-electric-grass-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass) !important;}.has-midnight-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--midnight) !important;}.has-small-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--small) !important;}.has-medium-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--medium) !important;}.has-large-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--large) !important;}.has-x-large-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--x-large) !important;} :where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-flex){gap: 1.25em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-grid){gap: 1.25em;} :where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-flex){gap: 2em;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-grid){gap: 2em;} :root :where(.wp-block-pullquote){font-size: 1.5em;line-height: 1.6;} </style> <link rel='stylesheet' id='fhb-common-css' href='https://www.finehomebuilding.com/app/themes/finehomebuilding/dist/css/common-1759075299.css' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='print-css' href='https://www.finehomebuilding.com/app/themes/finehomebuilding/dist/css/print-5adbb3af79.css' type='text/css' media='print' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='fhb-pages-css' href='https://www.finehomebuilding.com/app/themes/finehomebuilding/dist/css/pages-4a11b2116e.css' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='taunton-content-commerce-products-css' href='https://www.finehomebuilding.com/app/plugins/taunton-content-commerce/css/tcc-product.css?ver=1.0.2' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='taunton-content-commerce-recommended-products-css' href='https://www.finehomebuilding.com/app/plugins/taunton-content-commerce/css/tcc-recommended-products.css?ver=1.0.2' type='text/css' media='all' /> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/app/themes/finehomebuilding/javascript/vendor/jquery-2.2.4.min.js" id="jquery-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/app/themes/finehomebuilding/dist/js/vendor-8280c428c8.js" id="vendor-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/app/themes/finehomebuilding/dist/js/all-bd480c3b9b.js" id="all-js-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" nomodule defer src="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/app/themes/finehomebuilding/dist/js/runtime-legacy.01562f747a373334b561.js" id="webpack-runtime-nomodule-js"></script> <script type="module" src="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/app/themes/finehomebuilding/dist/js/runtime-modern.92d78dcd50b16f7147a4.js" id="webpack-runtime-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" nomodule defer src="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/app/themes/finehomebuilding/dist/js/deferred-vendor-legacy.4f62e23ac664a1e8f059.js" id="deferred-vendor-nomodule-js"></script> <script type="module" src="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/app/themes/finehomebuilding/dist/js/deferred-vendor-modern.9465a15ae350825445c9.js" id="deferred-vendor-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" nomodule defer src="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/app/themes/finehomebuilding/dist/js/deferred-legacy.0b5f155e950b40e97978.js" id="deferred-nomodule-js"></script> <script type="module" src="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/app/themes/finehomebuilding/dist/js/deferred-modern.135351e622c55d05b78c.js" id="deferred-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" nomodule defer src="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/app/themes/finehomebuilding/dist/js/singular-legacy.6d1c91a6ca605f7ee751.js" id="fhb-singular-nomodule-js"></script> <script type="module" src="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/app/themes/finehomebuilding/dist/js/singular-modern.70d0fa0fb6251c0126a1.js" id="fhb-singular-js"></script> <link rel="https://api.w.org/" href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/wp-json/" /><link rel="alternate" title="JSON" type="application/json" href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/525503" /><link rel="EditURI" type="application/rsd+xml" title="RSD" href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/wp/xmlrpc.php?rsd" /> <link rel='shortlink' href='https://www.finehomebuilding.com/?p=525503' /> <link rel="alternate" title="oEmbed (JSON)" type="application/json+oembed" href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.finehomebuilding.com%2F2024%2F05%2F24%2Fi-beam-to-the-rescue" /> <link rel="alternate" title="oEmbed (XML)" type="text/xml+oembed" href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.finehomebuilding.com%2F2024%2F05%2F24%2Fi-beam-to-the-rescue&format=xml" /> <script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context": "http:\/\/schema.org\/", "@type": "Article", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https:\/\/www.finehomebuilding.com\/2024\/05\/24\/i-beam-to-the-rescue" }, "isAccessibleForFree": "True", "headline": "I-Beam to the Rescue", "datePublished": "2024-05-24 13:22:25", "dateModified": "2024-11-07 14:07:48", "description": "When a common remodeling project can't be accomplished with a common material, this builder turns to the strength of steel.", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com\/app\/uploads\/2024\/05\/21132744\/01232436-i-beam-to-rescue-feature-scaled.jpg" }, "author": [ { "@type": "Person", "name": "Josh Edmonds", "url": "https:\/\/www.finehomebuilding.com\/author\/josh-edmonds" } ], "isPartOf": { "@type": "PublicationIssue", "name": "Issue 324 - July 2024", "url": "https:\/\/www.finehomebuilding.com\/issue\/2024\/05\/issue-324-july-2024", "isPartOf": { "@type": "Periodical", "name": "Fine Homebuilding Magazine", "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Fine Homebuilding", "url": "https:\/\/www.finehomebuilding.com", "sameAs": [ "https:\/\/twitter.com\/FHBMagazine", "https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/FineHomebuildingMagazine", "https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/fine-homebuilding", "https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/fhbmagazine\/" ], "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https:\/\/www.finehomebuilding.com\/app\/themes\/finehomebuilding\/dist\/img\/fhb_logo_on_bg.png" } } }, "issueNumber": "324", "image": "https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com\/app\/uploads\/2024\/05\/28121559\/012324-cover.jpg" } } </script> <link rel="icon" href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2018/10/10150048/cropped-fhb-favicon-32x32.png" sizes="32x32" /> <link rel="icon" href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2018/10/10150048/cropped-fhb-favicon-192x192.png" sizes="192x192" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2018/10/10150048/cropped-fhb-favicon-180x180.png" /> <meta name="msapplication-TileImage" content="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2018/10/10150048/cropped-fhb-favicon-270x270.png" /> <link rel="icon" href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2018/10/10150048/cropped-fhb-favicon.png" sizes="512x512" /> <link rel="manifest" href="/manifest.json" /> <meta name="mobile-web-app-capable" content="yes" /> <meta name="apple-mobile-web-app-capable" content="yes" /> <meta name="application-name" content="Fine Homebuilding" /> <meta name="apple-mobile-web-app-title" content="Fine Homebuilding" /> <meta name="theme-color" content="#f1f1f1" /> <meta name="msapplication-navbutton-color" content="#f1f1f1" /> <meta name="apple-mobile-web-app-status-bar-style" content="default" /> <meta name="msapplication-starturl" content="/" /> <script> if(window.performance) { performance.mark('taunton:documenthead:end'); performance.measure('taunton:documenthead', 'taunton:documenthead:start', 'taunton:documenthead:end'); } </script> </head> <body class="article post-template-default single single-post postid-525503 single-format-standard group-blog"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" style="display: none;"> <symbol id="fhb-brand-logo" x="0" y="0" viewBox="90.375 209.707 590.582 172.582" enable-background="new 90.375 209.707 590.582 172.582" xml:space="preserve"> <title>FHB Logo</title> <g id="surface1"> <path d="M224.57,279.82h-4.316v-50.344h-22.707v13.203h4.195v37.141h-4.934v12.953h27.762V279.82"/> <path d="M220.254,209.707h-18.512v16.039h18.512V209.707"/> <path d="M274.297,239.348l-9.871-9.871h-11.723l-8.391,8.391l-0.988-8.391h-16.902v13.203h3.457v37.141h-3.457 v12.953h24.43V279.82h-2.469v-29.859l4.566-4.566h1.359l1.48,1.48v32.945h-2.469v12.953h24.062V279.82h-3.086V239.348"/> <path d="M161.371,298.02l-9.867,9.871v43.555l9.867,9.871h11.785v-12.832h-1.664l-1.48-1.48v-34.672l1.48-1.48 h5.059l1.48,1.48v34.672l-1.48,1.48h-1.684v12.832h11.801l9.871-9.871v-43.555l-9.871-9.871H161.371"/> <path d="M272.867,307.891l-9.871-9.871h-11.598l-7.156,7.156l-7.156-7.156h-11.723l-8.391,8.391l-0.988-8.391 h-16.902v13.203h3.453v37.137h-3.453v12.957h24.43v-12.957h-2.465V318.5l4.562-4.566h1.359l1.48,1.48v32.945h-2.469v12.957h23.441 v-12.957h-2.465V318.5l4.562-4.566h1.359l1.48,1.48v32.945h-2.469v12.957h24.059v-12.957h-3.082V307.891"/> <path d="M424.516,298.02h-22.207v13.203h3.703v29.613l-4.566,4.562h-1.359l-1.48-1.48V298.02h-21.617v13.203h3.109 v40.223l9.871,9.871h11.723l8.391-8.391l0.984,8.391h16.785v-12.957h-3.336V298.02"/> <path d="M452.797,278.535h-18.508v16.039h18.508V278.535"/> <path d="M452.797,298.02h-23.223v13.203h4.715v37.137h-4.566v12.957h27.023v-12.957h-3.949V298.02"/> <path d="M480.93,278.535h-22.828v13.203h4.32v56.621h-3.953v12.957h26.777v-12.957h-4.316V278.535"/> <path d="M559.871,278.535h-18.508v16.039h18.508V278.535"/> <path d="M559.871,298.02h-23.148v13.203h4.641v37.137h-4.641v12.957h27.172v-12.957h-4.023V298.02"/> <path d="M613.125,307.891l-9.871-9.871h-11.723l-8.391,8.391l-0.988-8.391H565.25v13.203h3.457v37.137h-3.016 v12.957h23.988v-12.957h-2.465V318.5l4.562-4.566h1.359l1.48,1.48v32.945h-2.469v12.957h24.059v-12.957h-3.082V307.891"/> <path d="M296.93,322.82v-11.105l1.48-1.48h5.059l1.48,1.48v11.105h-6.301v11.598h24.809v-26.527l-9.867-9.871 h-25.297l-9.871,9.871v43.555l9.871,9.871h25.297l9.867-9.871v-10.609h-18.508v6.785l-1.48,1.48h-5.059l-1.48-1.48v-13.203h0.004 V322.82H296.93"/> <path d="M365.016,298.02h-11.102l-6.172,6.168v-25.652h-21.961v13.203h3.453v56.621h-3.453v12.957h16.902 l0.863-7.898l7.898,7.898h3.23v-13.449h-3.602l-3.332-3.332v-27.887l4.566-4.562h2.59l1.48,1.48v29.496h0.012v18.254h8.625 l9.871-9.871v-43.555L365.016,298.02"/> <path d="M532.383,348.359v-69.824h-23.441v13.203h4.934v12.449l-6.172-6.168h-11.102l-9.871,9.871v43.555 l9.871,9.871h8.633v-18.254h0.004v-29.496l1.48-1.48h2.59l4.566,4.562v27.887l-3.332,3.332h-3.594v13.449h3.227l7.895-7.898 l0.863,7.898h15.918v-12.957H532.383"/> <path d="M649.777,298.02l-0.863,7.895l-7.895-7.895h-13.574l-9.871,9.871v41.332l9.871,9.871h11.105l4.453-4.453 v-11.844l-2.852,2.848h-2.59l-1.48-1.48v-31.215l1.48-1.48h3.824l3.332,3.332v26.277l-0.004,0.004v11.848l0.004-0.004v15.051 l-2.098,2.098h-4.07l-2.098-2.098v-4.688h-18.508v9.133l9.871,9.867h25.539l9.871-9.867v-61.199h3.086V298.02H649.777"/> <path d="M296.93,322.82v-11.105l1.48-1.48h5.059l1.48,1.48v11.105h-6.301v11.598h24.809v-26.527l-9.867-9.871 h-25.297l-9.871,9.871v43.555l9.871,9.871h25.297l9.867-9.871v-10.609h-18.508v6.785l-1.48,1.48h-5.059l-1.48-1.48v-13.203h0.004 V322.82H296.93"/> <path d="M297.371,254.281v-11.105l1.48-1.48h5.059l1.48,1.48v11.105h-6.301v11.598h24.809v-26.531l-9.867-9.871 h-25.297l-9.871,9.871v43.555l9.871,9.871h25.297l9.867-9.871v-10.609h-18.508v6.785l-1.48,1.48h-5.059l-1.48-1.48v-13.199h0.008 v-11.598H297.371"/> <path d="M150.438,292.773h30.82v-14.188h-7.895v-16.191h17.125v-17.277h-17.125v-21.219h6.934v11.227h16.039 v-25.418H148.93v14.191h4.938v54.688h-3.43V292.773"/> <path d="M148.738,278.535h-27.145v14.188h3.082v19.238h-9.871v-19.238h3.086v-14.188H90.375v14.188h4.934v54.402 h-4.934v14.191h27.516v-14.191h-3.086v-16.781h9.871v16.781h-3.082v14.191h27.512v-14.191h-4.934v-54.352h4.566V278.535"/> <path d="M671.68,310.879h7.195l2.082-2.082v-8.676l-2.082-2.082h-7.195l-2.082,2.082v8.676L671.68,310.879z M672.406,309.27l-1.07-1.102v-7.445l1.07-1.074h5.773l1.074,1.074v7.445l-1.074,1.102H672.406z M672.531,307.945h2.59v-1.324 h-0.535v-1.324h1.262l0.281,0.281v1.738l0.633,0.629h1.355v-1.324h-0.348v-1.355l-0.695-0.664l0.695-0.695v-2.016l-0.977-0.98 h-4.262v1.355h0.445v4.355h-0.445V307.945z M674.586,303.973v-1.707h1.355l0.188,0.191v1.23l-0.281,0.285H674.586"/> </g> </symbol> <symbol id="facebook" viewBox="0 0 9 16"> <title>Facebook</title> <path d="M9 3H7C6.7 3 6 3.5 6 4v2h3v3H6v7H3V9H0V6h3V4c0-2.2 2-4 4.1-4H9V3z"/> </symbol> <symbol id="linkedin" viewBox="0 0 15 15"> <title>LinkedIn</title> <rect y="4" width="3" height="11"/> <path d="M11 4C9.1 4 8.4 5 8 6L8 4H5C5.1 5 5 15 5 15h3V9.2c0-0.3 0-0.6 0.1-0.8 0.3-0.6 1-1.3 2-1.3C11.3 7 12 8 12 9.4V15h3V9C15 5.8 13.3 4 11 4z"/> <circle cx="1.5" cy="1.5" r="1.5"/> </symbol> <symbol id="email" viewBox="0 0 44 44"> <title>Email</title> <path d="M43 6H1C0.4 6 0 6.4 0 7v30c0 0.6 0.4 1 1 1h42c0.6 0 1-0.4 1-1V7C44 6.4 43.6 6 43 6zM42 33.6L29.6 21.2l-1.4 1.4L41.6 36H2.4l13.4-13.4 -1.4-1.4L2 33.6V8h40V33.6z"/> <path d="M40 8L22 26 4 8H2v0.8L21.3 28.1c0.4 0.4 1 0.4 1.4 0L42 8.8V8H40z"/> </symbol> <symbol id="pinterest" viewBox="0 0 12 16"> <title>Pinterest</title> <path d="M4.9 10.6c-0.4 2.2-0.9 4.3-2.4 5.4 -0.5-3.3 0.7-5.8 1.2-8.5C2.9 6 3.9 2.9 5.7 3.6 8 4.6 3.7 9.4 6.6 10c3 0.6 4.2-5.4 2.4-7.4C6.3-0.2 1.1 2.5 1.8 6.6c0.2 1 1.1 1.3 0.4 2.7 -1.7-0.4-2.2-1.8-2.2-3.7 0.1-3.1 2.7-5.2 5.2-5.5 3.2-0.4 6.3 1.2 6.7 4.4 0.5 3.6-1.5 7.4-4.9 7.2C6.1 11.5 5.7 11 4.9 10.6z"/> </symbol> <symbol id="twitter" viewBox="0 0 16 13"> <title>Twitter</title> <path d="M16 1.5c-0.6 0.3-1.2 0.4-1.9 0.5 0.7-0.4 1.2-1 1.4-1.8 -0.6 0.4-1.3 0.7-2.1 0.8C12.9 0.4 12 0 11.1 0 9.3 0 7.8 1.5 7.8 3.3c0 0.3 0 0.5 0.1 0.7 -2.7-0.1-5.1-1.4-6.8-3.4C0.8 1.1 0.7 1.7 0.7 2.3c0 1.1 0.8 2.1 1.6 2.7C1.8 5 1 4.8 1 4.6c0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.6 1 2.9 2.5 3.2C3.2 7.9 2.8 7.9 2.5 7.9c-0.2 0-0.5 0-0.7-0.1 0.4 1.3 1.6 2.3 3 2.3 -1.1 0.9-2.5 1.4-4.1 1.4 -0.3 0-0.5 0-0.8 0 1.5 0.9 3.2 1.5 5 1.5 6 0 9.3-5 9.3-9.3 0-0.1 0-0.3 0-0.4C15 2.8 15.6 2.2 16 1.5z"/> </symbol> <symbol id="x" viewBox="0 0 1200 1227"> <title>X</title> <path d="M714.163 519.284L1160.89 0H1055.03L667.137 450.887L357.328 0H0L468.492 681.821L0 1226.37H105.866L515.491 750.218L842.672 1226.37H1200L714.137 519.284H714.163ZM569.165 687.828L521.697 619.934L144.011 79.6944H306.615L611.412 515.685L658.88 583.579L1055.08 1150.3H892.476L569.165 687.854V687.828Z"/> </symbol> <symbol id="instagram" viewBox="0 0 16 16"> <title>Instagram</title> <path d="M2 0H1C0.4 0 0 0.4 0 1v1 6 6 1c0 0.6 0.4 1 1 1h1 12 1c0.6 0 1-0.4 1-1v-1V8 2 1c0-0.6-0.4-1-1-1h-1H2zM8 6c1.1 0 2 0.9 2 2s-0.9 2-2 2S6 9.1 6 8 6.9 6 8 6zM14 14H2V8h2c0 2.2 1.8 4 4 4s4-1.8 4-4h2V14zM14 5h-3V2h3V5z"/> </symbol> <symbol id="tiktok" viewBox="0 0 512 512"> <title>Tiktok</title> <path d="M412.19,118.66a109.27,109.27,0,0,1-9.45-5.5,132.87,132.87,0,0,1-24.27-20.62c-18.1-20.71-24.86-41.72-27.35-56.43h.1C349.14,23.9,350,16,350.13,16H267.69V334.78c0,4.28,0,8.51-.18,12.69,0,.52-.05,1-.08,1.56,0,.23,0,.47-.05.71,0,.06,0,.12,0,.18a70,70,0,0,1-35.22,55.56,68.8,68.8,0,0,1-34.11,9c-38.41,0-69.54-31.32-69.54-70s31.13-70,69.54-70a68.9,68.9,0,0,1,21.41,3.39l.1-83.94a153.14,153.14,0,0,0-118,34.52,161.79,161.79,0,0,0-35.3,43.53c-3.48,6-16.61,30.11-18.2,69.24-1,22.21,5.67,45.22,8.85,54.73v.2c2,5.6,9.75,24.71,22.38,40.82A167.53,167.53,0,0,0,115,470.66v-.2l.2.2C155.11,497.78,199.36,496,199.36,496c7.66-.31,33.32,0,62.46-13.81,32.32-15.31,50.72-38.12,50.72-38.12a158.46,158.46,0,0,0,27.64-45.93c7.46-19.61,9.95-43.13,9.95-52.53V176.49c1,.6,14.32,9.41,14.32,9.41s19.19,12.3,49.13,20.31c21.48,5.7,50.42,6.9,50.42,6.9V131.27C453.86,132.37,433.27,129.17,412.19,118.66Z"/> </symbol> <symbol id="youtube" viewBox="0 0 21 15"> <title>YouTube</title> <path d="M20.2 10.9L20.2 4C20.2 4 20.2 0.6 16.8 0.6L4.1 0.6C4.1 0.6 0.7 0.6 0.7 4L0.7 10.9C0.7 10.9 0.7 14.3 4.1 14.3L16.8 14.3C16.8 14.3 20.2 14.3 20.2 10.9M14.2 7.4L7.8 11.2 7.8 3.7 14.2 7.4"/> </symbol> <symbol id="bookmark" viewBox="0 0 27 34"> <polygon stroke-miterlimit="10" points="26.5,33.252 13.5,27.9 0.5,33.252 0.5,0.5 26.5,0.5 "/> </symbol> <symbol id="plus-sign" viewBox="0 0 20 20"> <title>Plus Icon</title> <path d="M8.5 8.5L1.5 8.5C0.7 8.5 0 9.2 0 10 0 10.8 0.7 11.5 1.5 11.5L8.5 11.5 8.5 18.5C8.5 19.3 9.2 20 10 20 10.8 20 11.5 19.3 11.5 18.5L11.5 11.5 18.5 11.5C19.3 11.5 20 10.8 20 10 20 9.2 19.3 8.5 18.5 8.5L11.5 8.5 11.5 1.5C11.5 0.7 10.8 0 10 0 9.2 0 8.5 0.7 8.5 1.5L8.5 8.5Z"/> </symbol> <symbol id="close" viewBox="0 0 823.9 1029.9"> <title>Close Icon</title> <path d="m776.8 0c-12.1 0-24.1 4.6-33.3 13.8L411.9 345.3 80.5 13.9c-18.4-18.4-48.3-18.4-66.7 0-18.4 18.4-18.4 48.2 0 66.7l331.4 331.4-331.4 331.4c-18.4 18.4-18.4 48.3 0 66.7 9.2 9.2 21.3 13.8 33.3 13.8 12.1 0 24.2-4.6 33.3-13.8l331.4-331.4 331.5 331.4c9.2 9.2 21.3 13.8 33.3 13.8 12.1 0 24.1-4.6 33.3-13.8 18.4-18.4 18.4-48.2 0-66.7l-331.5-331.4 331.5-331.4c18.4-18.4 18.4-48.2 0-66.7C800.9 4.6 788.8 0 776.8 0Z"/> </symbol> <symbol id="nav-search" viewBox="0 0 24 24" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round"> <title>Navigation Search Icon</title> <circle cx="10.5" cy="10.5" r="7.5"/> <line x1="21" y1="21" x2="15.8" y2="15.8"/> </symbol> <symbol id="main-nav-search" viewBox="0 0 33 32"> <title>Navigation Search Icon</title> <path d="M12 2.4C17.3 2.4 21.6 6.7 21.6 12 21.6 17.3 17.3 21.6 12 21.6 6.7 21.6 2.4 17.3 2.4 12 2.4 6.7 6.7 2.4 12 2.4L12 2.4ZM12 0C5.4 0 0 5.4 0 12 0 18.6 5.4 24 12 24 18.6 24 24 18.6 24 12 24 5.4 18.6 0 12 0L12 0 12 0ZM20 23.2L28 32C28.8 31.9 29.1 32 28.8 32 29.6 32 29.9 31.9 30.4 32L32 30.4C32.1 29.7 32.1 29 32 28L23.2 20 20 23.2 20 23.2Z"/> </symbol> <symbol id="icon-arrow-down" viewBox="0 0 30 20"> <title>Arrow Down Icon</title> <path d="m3.525.7375 11.475 11.45 11.475-11.45 3.525 3.525-15 15-15-15z" /> </symbol> <symbol id="icon-video" viewBox="0 0 30 30"> <title>Video Guide Icon</title> <path d="m27.4132492 0h-24.85804415c-1.41955836 0-2.55520505 1.13564669-2.55520505 2.55520505v24.88958995c0 1.4195583 1.13564669 2.555205 2.55520505 2.555205h24.88958995c1.4195583 0 2.555205-1.1356467 2.555205-2.555205v-24.88958995c-.0315457-1.41955836-1.1671924-2.55520505-2.5867508-2.55520505zm-7.4447949 15.8044164-7.6340694 5.0788644c-.6624606.4416403-1.5457414-.0315458-1.5457414-.8201893v-10.15772872c0-.78864354.8832808-1.26182966 1.5457414-.82018928l7.6656151 5.0788644c.5678233.3785489.5678233 1.2618296-.0315457 1.6403785z" /> </symbol> <symbol id="icon-article" viewBox="0 0 26 30"> <title>Article Guide Icon</title> <g> <path d="m20 5v3.61915606c0 .20664627.2593355.38084394.5656521.38084394h4.4343479c-.0450627-.04539958-.0860928-.09364547-.1373413-.13434857l-4.7274707-3.77741409c-.0419697-.03316014-.0901644-.05870627-.135188-.08823734z"/><path d="m19.2145057 3.6756758h1.1083654.110472v.07880196l.7046404.50247472c.0856995.05752841.1559255.10846502.2213904.16599343l.6406261.56719415v-3.14923097c0-1.01244005-.8166374-1.84090909-1.8282561-1.84090909h-18.34348782c-1.01165587 0-1.82825608.82846904-1.82825608 1.84090909v23.31818181c0 1.0186574.81660021 1.8409091 1.82825608 1.8409091h1.82821891v-20.47067542c0-1.57364167 1.33429365-2.85364878 2.97389181-2.85364878z"/><path d="m21.3127208 10.9002686c-.9813591 0-1.7799574-.7440186-1.7799574-1.65832521v-4.24194339h-12.75393684c-.98207544 0-1.77882656.74371338-1.77882656 1.65626525v21.67503365c0 .9124755.79675112 1.6561889 1.77882656 1.6561889l16.91732424.0125122h.0061826c.6423771 0 1.2600241-.2499389 1.6985294-.6937409.3829381-.3874969.5991372-.8937834.5991372-1.4249419v-16.9810486zm1.6872792 14.0997314h-14v-1h14zm0-3h-14v-1h14zm0-3h-14v-1h14zm0-3h-14v-1h14z"/> </g> </symbol> <symbol id="icon-modal-close" viewBox="0 0 24 24"> <title>Modal Close Icon</title> <path d="M0 0h24v24H0z" fill="none"/><path d="M14.59 8L12 10.59 9.41 8 8 9.41 10.59 12 8 14.59 9.41 16 12 13.41 14.59 16 16 14.59 13.41 12 16 9.41 14.59 8zM12 2C6.47 2 2 6.47 2 12s4.47 10 10 10 10-4.47 10-10S17.53 2 12 2zm0 18c-4.41 0-8-3.59-8-8s3.59-8 8-8 8 3.59 8 8-3.59 8-8 8z"/> </symbol> <symbol id="icon-guide-search" viewBox="0 0 24 24"> <title>Guide Search Icon</title> <path d="M15.5 14h-.79l-.28-.27C15.41 12.59 16 11.11 16 9.5 16 5.91 13.09 3 9.5 3S3 5.91 3 9.5 5.91 16 9.5 16c1.61 0 3.09-.59 4.23-1.57l.27.28v.79l5 4.99L20.49 19l-4.99-5zm-6 0C7.01 14 5 11.99 5 9.5S7.01 5 9.5 5 14 7.01 14 9.5 11.99 14 9.5 14z"/><path d="M0 0h24v24H0z" fill="none"/> </symbol> <symbol id="icon-carousel-next" viewBox="0 0 24 24"><path d="M8.59 16.59 13.17 12 8.59 7.41 10 6l6 6-6 6-1.41-1.41z"/></symbol> <symbol id="icon-carousel-prev" viewBox="0 0 24 24"> <path d="M15.41 16.59 10.83 12l4.58-4.59L14 6l-6 6 6 6 1.41-1.41z"/> </symbol> <symbol id="icon-person" width="22" height="28" viewBox="0 0 22 28"> <path fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M5.00005 6C5.00005 4.4087 5.63219 2.88258 6.75741 1.75736C7.88262 0.632141 9.40875 0 11 0C12.5913 0 14.1175 0.632141 15.2427 1.75736C16.3679 2.88258 17 4.4087 17 6C17 7.5913 16.3679 9.11742 15.2427 10.2426C14.1175 11.3679 12.5913 12 11 12C9.40875 12 7.88262 11.3679 6.75741 10.2426C5.63219 9.11742 5.00005 7.5913 5.00005 6ZM0.00137991 24.8067C0.0463403 21.9193 1.2249 19.1654 3.28266 17.1394C5.34042 15.1135 8.11233 13.9779 11 13.9779C13.8878 13.9779 16.6597 15.1135 18.7174 17.1394C20.7752 19.1654 21.9538 21.9193 21.9987 24.8067C22.0022 25.001 21.9489 25.1922 21.8454 25.3568C21.7419 25.5214 21.5927 25.6522 21.416 25.7333C18.1483 27.2316 14.5949 28.0049 11 28C7.28538 28 3.75605 27.1893 0.584047 25.7333C0.407361 25.6522 0.258147 25.5214 0.154663 25.3568C0.0511784 25.1922 -0.00208841 25.001 0.00137991 24.8067Z" /> </symbol> </svg> <a href="#main-landmark" class="skip-link">Skip to content</a> <div class="siteheader show"> <div class="siteheader--main"> <div class="siteheader__inner container" role="navigation" aria-label="Top"> <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com" aria-label="Fine Home Building Logo" class="siteheader__logo"> <svg class="svg-logo"> <use xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="#fhb-brand-logo"></use> </svg> </a>  <div class="siteheader__search"> <form action="https://www.finehomebuilding.com"> <div class="embed-submit"> <input class="embed-submit__textfield" type="text" placeholder="Search" name="s" aria-label="Search"> <button type="submit" class="embed-submit__submit" value="Search"> <svg class="svg-icon"> <use xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="#main-nav-search"></use> </svg> <span class="sr-only">Search</span> </button> </div> </form> </div>  <div class="membership-button__wrap"> <a class="membership-button constant" href="https://subscribe.finehomebuilding.com/FHB_print?pk=W20094FS&returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.finehomebuilding.com%2F2024%2F05%2F24%2Fi-beam-to-the-rescue&ref=fhb-nav-btn" id="nav-subscribe-btn" data-subscribe="Header">Subscribe</a> </div> <span class="siteheader__menu"> <button class="hamburger hamburger--slider" type="button" aria-label="Open Main Menu" aria-expanded="false"> <label class="siteheader__menu__label">Main Menu</label> <span class="hamburger-box" aria-hidden="true"> <span class="hamburger-inner"></span> </span> </button> </span>  <div class="siteheader__account-panel--mobile"> <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/user/login?return_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.finehomebuilding.com%2F2024%2F05%2F24%2Fi-beam-to-the-rescue" rel="nofollow" data-gtm-ui="login" data-gtm-section="account panel" class="account-panel__button account-panel__button--none"> <span class="sr-only">Log In</span> <svg class="svg-icon"> <use xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="#icon-person"></use> </svg> </a> </div> </div>  </div> <div class="siteheader--secondary"> <nav class="siteheader__inner container" role="navigation" aria-label="Sub"> <ul class="subnav subnav--topics"> <li><a href="/howto">How-To</a></li> <li><a href="/design">Design</a></li> <li><a href="/tools-materials">Tools & Materials</a></li> <li><a href="/old-house-journal">Restoration</a></li> <li><a href="/videos">Videos</a></li> <li><a href="/blogs">Blogs</a></li> <li><a href="/discussion-forum">Forum</a></li> <li><a href="/magazine">Magazine</a></li> <li class="subnav--only-large"><a href="/members">Members</a></li> <li class="subnav--only-large"><a href="/fhb-house">FHB House</a></li> <li class="subnav--only-large"><a href="/blog/fine-homebuilding-podcast">Podcast</a></li> </ul> <div class="siteheader__account-panel"> <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/user/login?return_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.finehomebuilding.com%2F2024%2F05%2F24%2Fi-beam-to-the-rescue" rel="nofollow" data-gtm-ui="login" data-gtm-section="account panel" class="account-panel__button account-panel__button--small account-panel__button--ghost account-panel__button--login">Log In</a> </div> </nav> </div> </div> <div class="page-wrap" id="subnav-waypoint" role="main"> <span id="sticky-header-landmark" aria-hidden="true"></span> <div class="dfp-ad leaderboard top-spot" data-dfp-id="dfp-leaderboard-1"><div class="inner container"><div id="dfp-leaderboard-1"></div></div></div> <div id="main-landmark"> <div class="js-image-zoom-wrapper"> <div class="article__wrap container"> <div class="gs-article-grid"> <div class="article__content--main gs-article-grid__content--main"> <div class="article__top"> <div class="article__origin__wrap"> <a href=""></a> </div> <h1 class="article__title" id="article__title">I-Beam to the Rescue</h1> <h2 class="article__subtitle">When a common remodeling project can't be accomplished with a common material, this builder turns to the strength of steel.</h2> <div class="article__attribution"> <div class="article__publish"> <span class="article__author">By <a href='https://www.finehomebuilding.com/author/josh-edmonds'>Josh Edmonds</a></span> <span class="article__pubdate issue-date"><a href='https://www.finehomebuilding.com/issue/2024/05/issue-324-july-2024'>Issue 324 - July 2024</a></span>  </div> </div>   <ul class="article__social-links">  </ul> </div> <div class="article__body" id="article-body"> <script> if (window.performance) { performance.mark('taunton:articlebody:start'); } </script>  <figure class="article__image--main" aria-labelledby="article__title"> <img class="aspect-ratio-350-197" src="https://d4c5gb8slvq7w.cloudfront.net/eyJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjcwMCwiaGVpZ2h0IjozOTR9fSwiYnVja2V0IjoiZmluZWhvbWVidWlsZGluZy5zMy50YXVudG9uY2xvdWQuY29tIiwia2V5IjoiYXBwXC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDI0XC8wNVwvMjExMzI3NDRcLzAxMjMyNDM2LWktYmVhbS10by1yZXNjdWUtZmVhdHVyZS03MDB4Mzk0LmpwZyJ9" srcset="https://d4c5gb8slvq7w.cloudfront.net/eyJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjcwMCwiaGVpZ2h0IjozOTR9fSwiYnVja2V0IjoiZmluZWhvbWVidWlsZGluZy5zMy50YXVudG9uY2xvdWQuY29tIiwia2V5IjoiYXBwXC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDI0XC8wNVwvMjExMzI3NDRcLzAxMjMyNDM2LWktYmVhbS10by1yZXNjdWUtZmVhdHVyZS03MDB4Mzk0LmpwZyJ9 700w, https://d4c5gb8slvq7w.cloudfront.net/eyJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjUwMH19LCJidWNrZXQiOiJmaW5laG9tZWJ1aWxkaW5nLnMzLnRhdW50b25jbG91ZC5jb20iLCJrZXkiOiJhcHBcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMjRcLzA1XC8yMTEzMjc0NFwvMDEyMzI0MzYtaS1iZWFtLXRvLXJlc2N1ZS1mZWF0dXJlLTcwMHgzOTQuanBnIn0= 500w, https://d4c5gb8slvq7w.cloudfront.net/eyJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjQwMH19LCJidWNrZXQiOiJmaW5laG9tZWJ1aWxkaW5nLnMzLnRhdW50b25jbG91ZC5jb20iLCJrZXkiOiJhcHBcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMjRcLzA1XC8yMTEzMjc0NFwvMDEyMzI0MzYtaS1iZWFtLXRvLXJlc2N1ZS1mZWF0dXJlLTcwMHgzOTQuanBnIn0= 400w, https://d4c5gb8slvq7w.cloudfront.net/eyJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjMwMH19LCJidWNrZXQiOiJmaW5laG9tZWJ1aWxkaW5nLnMzLnRhdW50b25jbG91ZC5jb20iLCJrZXkiOiJhcHBcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMjRcLzA1XC8yMTEzMjc0NFwvMDEyMzI0MzYtaS1iZWFtLXRvLXJlc2N1ZS1mZWF0dXJlLTcwMHgzOTQuanBnIn0= 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" width="700" height="394" fetchpriority="high" data-perf-preload-visibility="visible" data-perf-preload alt=""> <figcaption>LeveR of ingenuity After lifting the first of two beams into place slowly with a hydraulic jack, one of the crew suggested maneuvering the second beam most of the way there with a simple 2x6 lever. It worked like a charm.</figcaption></figure><div class="post__content"><p>Replacing a bearing wall or a post and beam with a steel beam means determining where the beam ends are going to land, and the load path to the foundation. Builder Josh Edmonds walks through the process of installing steel I-beams in a <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2016/09/30/classic-farmhouse-restoration"><strong>farmhouse remodel</strong></a>, from building temporary walls and cutting out the old beam to raising and fastening the new beam in place.</p> <h2>A Steel-Beam Retrofit</h2> <p>We all aspire to building and remodeling projects that showcase our best design ideas and <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/blog/keep-craft-alive"><strong>craftsmanship</strong></a>, but the reality is that frequently we find ourselves doing quite mundane work, like the steel-beam retrofit featured here. The good news, at least for us, is that remodeling projects like this are common and usually pay better than more fussy <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/category/skills-and-techniques/finish-carpentry"><strong>finish work</strong></a>. Even if that is just because I often underestimate the number of hours that the fussy work requires, it makes sense for us to tackle projects like this. And they do have an impact. This project <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/project-guides/kitchens/the-open-plan-kitchen-is-it-right-for-you"><strong>opened the kitchen</strong></a> and living spaces in an old farmhouse, offering the new homeowners a more modern first-floor plan. It’s a common request in our remodeling work.</p> <h2>Don’t Be Scared of Steel</h2> <p>Steel isn’t our first choice for a project like this. Whenever possible we use built-up <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/event/lvls-psls-whats-the-difference"><strong>LVL beams</strong></a>. Our local lumberyard stocks them and we can install them one ply at a time. Solid-wood and engineered-wood beams have limitations, though, and for long spans, the beams can get very tall. When wood reaches its span limit, or the required beam height just won’t fit in the space, we turn to steel.</p> <p>In the preconstruction phase of a project like this, I often do some preliminary load calculation. There is an old book by Fred Hodgson, published in 1902, called <em><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Modern-Carpentry-Practical-Manual-1902/dp/B002OHCJGU/?tag=finehomebuild-20" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Modern Carpentry: A Practical Manual</strong></a></em>—it has some great chapters about loads and how to calculate stresses. And there are load charts available that spec how much weight per linear foot an LVL ply can support for given spans. If loads aren’t uniform, and there are point loads, the math gets more complicated. Sometimes I can determine if an LVL beam will work, or if steel will be necessary, and this is useful to drive conversations with designers, homeowners, and my crew. It also helps me <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2024/04/09/construction-budgeting-is-helpful-estimating-not-so-much"><strong>get an idea of what the project will cost</strong></a>. At some point in the process an engineer will be required to dial in the load calculations, beam size, fastening, and other installation details.</p> <p>If you’re a <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/blog/a-carpenters-view"><strong>carpenter</strong></a> and haven’t worked with steel, there’s nothing to fear. I look at steel as a special hardwood that just happens to be magnetic. Even if the beam needs on-site modification, you most likely already have the tools you need to cut or drill the steel. And if you don’t, just look at it as an opportunity to <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2022/04/20/i-wish-tools-were-more-expensive"><strong>pick up some new toys</strong></a>.</p> <h2>Determine the Load Paths</h2> <p>For this project, we were working on an old <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2021/01/16/retrofit-of-a-timber-frame-farmhouse" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>timber-frame house</strong></a> that had posts in the middle of the living room and the middle of the kitchen, both on the first floor. The clients wanted to remove them. The rooms are not connected, but are mirror images of each other at opposite ends of the house. They both had the same scenarios, so we did the work you see here twice on this project.</p> <p>The first step of planning this work is to trace the load paths in the building—in other words, figure out what is resting on what. How is the roof built? Are there <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/project-guides/framing/perfect-roof-rafters"><strong>rafters</strong></a> or <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/project-guides/framing/introduction-to-roof-trusses"><strong>trusses</strong></a>, and where do they land? What about the floors? Are there any large openings that might have posts (point loads) hidden in walls? Basic observation usually provides most of the information we need to determine what loads a beam will carry.</p> <p>In this house, the roof load was traveling down the exterior walls. The posts we would be removing were in the middle of the house, so they did not support the roof load at all. The next step was to determine where the load from the floors was resting. It was easy to see that each post was carrying half the floor load. Half was distributed on <strong><a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2011/01/21/radiant-barriers-for-exterior-walls">exterior walls</a></strong> and the rest was coming down these posts.</p> <p>The existing floor system was 8 in. deep—pretty shallow for a wood beam—and the span was almost 15 ft. If we used LVLs, it would have required three or four 14-in. plys. This house does not have <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/project-guides/energy-retrofit/high-ceilings-in-the-hills"><strong>high ceilings</strong></a>, so ceiling height is at a premium. We were able to carry the same amount of weight with an 8-in. I-beam, which meant we could have a continuous finished ceiling unobstructed by a boxed beam. I-beams are usually specified by height and weight per foot. The two beams we used are W8x28, which specifies a wide-flange I-beam that is 8 in. tall and weighs 28 lb. per linear foot.</p> <h2>The Heavy Lifting</h2> <p>There are various options to move heavy beams around a job site that range from PVC rollers to heavy machinery to Popeye-like effort. We had a large crew on-site, so we were able to walk the beams into place and set them at chest height before starting the work. When it was time to lift the beams into place, we used simple hydraulic jacks and a lever that was essentially a stick of lumber screwed to a stud on one of our <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/project-guides/framing/build-like-a-pro-temporary-brace-wall"><strong>temporary walls</strong></a>. Material lifts are affordable and a safe way of lifting heavy beams too. If we’d had a light crew on-site, we might have used a material lift or a combination of cribbing and hydraulic jacks.</p> <p>The process for installing a structural beam flush in a ceiling is similar for metal or wood, but we decided not to modify the <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/project-guides/kitchens/timber-frame-resurrection"><strong>timber frame</strong></a> to create a place for these beams to sit. The timbers on either end were acting as tie beams (they keep the building from spreading) and we wanted to avoid cutting them to slide a new beam in from an end. Without any roof load, our total load was not significant for a steel beam. The engineer was able to determine the shear strength needed to support each beam using long plates with an exact number of fasteners. This is similar to how joist hangers work; essentially, we created a specialty <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2007/03/01/joist-hanger-helper"><strong>joist hanger</strong></a> by welding a flange to both ends of each beam. The flange was predrilled for structural screws, which we used to fasten the beams to the posts. That allowed us to slide the beams straight up and fasten them into the face of the beech posts, leaving the tie beams intact.</p> <p>Because you are working between two temporary walls to do this job, space is tight. You have <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/project-guides/drywall/repairing-holes-in-drywall"><strong>drywall repair</strong></a> to do no matter what, so don’t be afraid to cut back more of the drywall than you think you need to. We cut back about 18 in. to 24 in. of ceiling drywall on each side of the beam—any less usually doesn’t save time or money in the end.</p> <p>If there are 150 million existing houses in the United States and only one million new homes are built each year, <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/category/design-and-planning/new-construction"><strong>new construction</strong></a> is only a tiny piece of opportunity for builders. Being able to repair and upgrade existing homes safely and professionally is a beneficial skill set. A bit of creativity goes a long way too.</p> <h2>7 Steps to a Steel Beam Retrofit</h2> <p>Whether you are replacing a bearing wall or a post with a beam made of solid wood, engineered wood, or steel, you always need to determine where the beam ends are going to land—and the subsequent load path to the <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/project-guides/foundations-and-masonry-work?c=building-foundations"><strong>foundation</strong></a>. On this job, we replaced two beams that had existing posts on either end. We fit the new beams between the posts and fastened them to the posts by driving structural screws through predrilled holes in a flange welded to either end of the beams.</p> <h3>Step 1: Bring in the Beam</h3> <p>We were fortunate to have a big crew on this job, so we were able to carry the beams from the trailer to the house and slip them into the building through a window. Remember, in most cases you need to have the beam in place before building temporary support walls.</p> <p><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-529938 size-medium" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21132818/01232437-i-beam-rescue-step-1-700x394.jpg" alt="installing steel I-beams" width="700" height="394" srcset="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21132818/01232437-i-beam-rescue-step-1-700x394.jpg 700w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21132818/01232437-i-beam-rescue-step-1-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21132818/01232437-i-beam-rescue-step-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21132818/01232437-i-beam-rescue-step-1-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21132818/01232437-i-beam-rescue-step-1-460x260.jpg 460w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></p> <h3>Step 2: Build Temporary Walls</h3> <p>When replacing a beam that supports floor joists on both sides, we build temporary walls on each side of the beam. We leave enough room to work but keep the walls close enough to do their job. It is important to build temporary walls on each floor until you hit a surface with bearing. In this case, we built the same <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/project-guides/framing/build-like-a-pro-temporary-brace-wall"><strong>temporary walls</strong></a> below these in the basement. If we had skipped the walls in the basement, we would have transferred all the load onto the midspan of floor joists that were not designed to carry that load. The temporary walls can be useful too. If you screw a strut between them, you can catch the beam that is coming out or help support the new beam when it is being raised.</p> <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 50%;"><img decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-529939" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21132847/01232437-i-beam-rescue-step-2-700x700.jpg" alt="" width="375" height="375" srcset="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21132847/01232437-i-beam-rescue-step-2-700x700.jpg 700w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21132847/01232437-i-beam-rescue-step-2-300x300.jpg 300w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21132847/01232437-i-beam-rescue-step-2.jpg 1080w" sizes="(max-width: 375px) 100vw, 375px" /></td> <td style="width: 50%;"><img decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-529940" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21132858/01232437-i-beam-rescue-step-22-700x700.jpg" alt="" width="375" height="375" srcset="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21132858/01232437-i-beam-rescue-step-22-700x700.jpg 700w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21132858/01232437-i-beam-rescue-step-22-300x300.jpg 300w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21132858/01232437-i-beam-rescue-step-22.jpg 1080w" sizes="(max-width: 375px) 100vw, 375px" /></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <h3>Step 3: Cut out the Old Beam</h3> <p>After removing the existing post and cutting out the old beam, we used a laser line as a guide to cut the joists back evenly. You can start these cuts with a <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/category/tools/circular-saws"><strong>circular saw</strong></a> and finish them with a reciprocating saw or multitool.</p> <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 50%;"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-529941" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21132927/01232437-i-beam-rescue-step-3-700x700.jpg" alt="" width="375" height="375" srcset="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21132927/01232437-i-beam-rescue-step-3-700x700.jpg 700w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21132927/01232437-i-beam-rescue-step-3-300x300.jpg 300w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21132927/01232437-i-beam-rescue-step-3.jpg 1080w" sizes="(max-width: 375px) 100vw, 375px" /></td> <td style="width: 50%;"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-529942" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21132944/01232437-i-beam-rescue-step-33-700x700.jpg" alt="" width="375" height="375" srcset="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21132944/01232437-i-beam-rescue-step-33-700x700.jpg 700w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21132944/01232437-i-beam-rescue-step-33-300x300.jpg 300w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21132944/01232437-i-beam-rescue-step-33.jpg 1080w" sizes="(max-width: 375px) 100vw, 375px" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 50%;"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-529943" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21132958/01232437-i-beam-rescue-step-333-700x700.jpg" alt="" width="375" height="375" srcset="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21132958/01232437-i-beam-rescue-step-333-700x700.jpg 700w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21132958/01232437-i-beam-rescue-step-333-300x300.jpg 300w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21132958/01232437-i-beam-rescue-step-333.jpg 1080w" sizes="(max-width: 375px) 100vw, 375px" /></td> <td style="width: 50%;"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-529944" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21133011/01232437-i-beam-rescue-step-3333-700x700.jpg" alt="" width="375" height="375" srcset="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21133011/01232437-i-beam-rescue-step-3333-700x700.jpg 700w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21133011/01232437-i-beam-rescue-step-3333-300x300.jpg 300w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21133011/01232437-i-beam-rescue-step-3333.jpg 1080w" sizes="(max-width: 375px) 100vw, 375px" /></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <h3>Step 4: Prep the New Beam</h3> <p>The common approach to using steel I-beams is to bolt dimensional lumber to either side so that joist hangers can be nailed on. Your engineer will specify the number and size of the bolts needed to fasten the dimensional lumber. Once the old beam is out, figure out the finished width of your new beam, which needs to be wider than the old beam or the old <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/project-guides/framing/installing-floor-joists"><strong>floor joists</strong></a> won’t reach it. You can always pad out the beam more if it is not wide enough.</p> <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 50%;"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-529946" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21133137/01232437-i-beam-rescue-step-4-700x700.jpg" alt="" width="375" height="375" srcset="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21133137/01232437-i-beam-rescue-step-4-700x700.jpg 700w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21133137/01232437-i-beam-rescue-step-4-300x300.jpg 300w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21133137/01232437-i-beam-rescue-step-4.jpg 1080w" sizes="(max-width: 375px) 100vw, 375px" /></td> <td style="width: 50%;"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-529947" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21133150/01232437-i-beam-rescue-step-44-700x700.jpg" alt="" width="375" height="375" srcset="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21133150/01232437-i-beam-rescue-step-44-700x700.jpg 700w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21133150/01232437-i-beam-rescue-step-44-300x300.jpg 300w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21133150/01232437-i-beam-rescue-step-44.jpg 1080w" sizes="(max-width: 375px) 100vw, 375px" /></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <h3>Step 5: Raise the New Beam</h3> <p>It is not usually possible to put a new beam into place at an angle, meaning the beam usually needs to go straight up or slide in from one end. If the new beam will be bearing on new posts, the posts can go in later. On this project we used hydraulic jacks on one beam and a lever on the other. Both worked great.</p> <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 50%;"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-529948" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21133243/01232437-i-beam-rescue-step-5-700x700.jpg" alt="" width="375" height="375" srcset="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21133243/01232437-i-beam-rescue-step-5-700x700.jpg 700w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21133243/01232437-i-beam-rescue-step-5-300x300.jpg 300w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21133243/01232437-i-beam-rescue-step-5.jpg 1080w" sizes="(max-width: 375px) 100vw, 375px" /></td> <td style="width: 50%;"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-529949" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21133257/01232437-i-beam-rescue-step-55-700x700.jpg" alt="" width="375" height="375" srcset="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21133257/01232437-i-beam-rescue-step-55-700x700.jpg 700w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21133257/01232437-i-beam-rescue-step-55-300x300.jpg 300w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21133257/01232437-i-beam-rescue-step-55.jpg 1080w" sizes="(max-width: 375px) 100vw, 375px" /></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <h3>Step 6: Fasten the Beam</h3> <p>Check the floor upstairs prior to fastening to make sure you haven’t pushed a crown into the floor while raising the beam. We drove structural screws through all the predrilled holes in the flanges as specified by the engineer.</p> <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 50%;"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-529950" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21133331/01232437-i-beam-rescue-step-66-700x700.jpg" alt="" width="375" height="375" srcset="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21133331/01232437-i-beam-rescue-step-66-700x700.jpg 700w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21133331/01232437-i-beam-rescue-step-66-300x300.jpg 300w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21133331/01232437-i-beam-rescue-step-66.jpg 1080w" sizes="(max-width: 375px) 100vw, 375px" /></td> <td style="width: 50%;"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-529951" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21133340/01232437-i-beam-rescue-step-6-700x700.jpg" alt="" width="375" height="375" srcset="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21133340/01232437-i-beam-rescue-step-6-700x700.jpg 700w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21133340/01232437-i-beam-rescue-step-6-300x300.jpg 300w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21133340/01232437-i-beam-rescue-step-6.jpg 1080w" sizes="(max-width: 375px) 100vw, 375px" /></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <h3>Step 7: Install Joist Hangers</h3> <p>Manufacturers make several sizes of joist hangers, but it is good to know that they make a common <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2007/03/01/joist-hanger-helper"><strong>joist hanger</strong></a> for old rough-cut lumber that is 2 in. wide. On the old houses we work on, they come in handy. Once all the joists are fastened, the temporary walls can come down and the ceiling can be closed back up.</p> <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-529952 size-medium" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21133538/01232441-i-beam-rescue-step-7-700x394.jpg" alt="installing steel I-beams" width="700" height="394" srcset="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21133538/01232441-i-beam-rescue-step-7-700x394.jpg 700w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21133538/01232441-i-beam-rescue-step-7-460x260.jpg 460w, https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21133538/01232441-i-beam-rescue-step-7.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></p> <hr /> <p><em>— Josh Edmonds, CPHC; managing partner at Simple Integrity LLC in Cooperstown, N.Y. Photos by Brian Pontolilo.</em></p> <p>From<em> Fine Homebuilding </em>#324</p> <p><strong>RELATED STORIES</strong></p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/project-guides/framing/installing-support-beams"><strong>Installing Support Beams</strong></a></li> <li><a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2006/11/06/built-up-beam"><strong>Built-Up Beam</strong></a></li> <li><a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/project-guides/framing/safe-beam-replacement"><strong>Safe Beam Replacement</strong></a></li> </ul></div> <div class="inline-email-form">  <div class="email_subscribe__copy"> <p class="message">Sign up for eletters today and get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus special offers.</p> </div> <div class="email_subscribe__form embed-submit"> <form class="email-subscribe-form" data-source="FHB_INLINE" data-placement="FHB_INLINE" data-email_sub_products="19|41|21" data-email_subscribe_nonce="4482f25e16" > <div class="formfield"> <input class="embed-submit__textfield" name="email" type="email" autocomplete="email" placeholder="Email Address" aria-label="Email Address" /> </div> <div> <button class="embed-submit__submit" type="submit">Sign Up</button> <p class="loading-message">Signing you up...</p> </div> <div class="recaptchaDisclaimer"> This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google <a href="https://policies.google.com/privacy">Privacy Policy</a> and <a href="https://policies.google.com/terms">Terms of Service</a> apply. </div> <a class="email_subscribe__form_link eu-link" href="/pages/newsletter-signup?ref=EUsignup" target="_blank">See all newsletters</a> <div class="all-newsletters"> <a class="email_subscribe__form_link all-newsletters" href="/pages/newsletter-signup?ref=FHB_INLINE" target="_blank">See all newsletters</a> </div> </form> </div> </div>  <div class="article__cta fhb-newsletter"> <span class="js-close article__cta__close">×</span>  <div class="email_subscribe__copy"> <p class="message">Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox</p> </div> <div class="email_subscribe__form embed-submit"> <form class="email-subscribe-form" data-source="FHB_rrail" data-placement="FHB_rrail" data-email_sub_products="19|41|21" data-email_subscribe_nonce="4482f25e16" > <div class="formfield"> <input class="embed-submit__textfield" name="email" type="email" autocomplete="email" placeholder="Email Address" aria-label="Email Address" /> </div> <div> <button class="embed-submit__submit" type="submit">Sign Up</button> <p class="loading-message">Signing you up...</p> </div> <div class="recaptchaDisclaimer"> This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google <a href="https://policies.google.com/privacy">Privacy Policy</a> and <a href="https://policies.google.com/terms">Terms of Service</a> apply. </div> <a class="email_subscribe__form_link eu-link" href="/pages/newsletter-signup?ref=EUsignup" target="_blank">See all newsletters</a> <div class="all-newsletters"> <a class="email_subscribe__form_link all-newsletters" href="/pages/newsletter-signup?ref=FHB_rrail" target="_blank">See all newsletters</a> </div> </form> </div> </div>  <a class="button__pdf-download" data-ga-event="PDF Download" href="/membership/pdf/525503/01232436-steel-i-beam-rescue.pdf" target="_blank">View PDF</a>    </div>  <div class="module--forum-promo"> <a class="module--forum-promo__link" href="/discussion-forum"> <div class="module--forum-promo__text"> <p class="module--forum-promo__label">New Feature</p> <h2 class="module--forum-promo__title">Fine Homebuilding Forums</h2> <h3 class="module--forum-promo__subtitle">Ask questions, offer advice, and share your work </h3> </div> </a> </div> <div class="article__reactions">  <div class="article__share"> <ul class="article__social-links">  </ul> </div>  <button class="article__comments-trigger">View 1 comment</button> </div>  <script> if (window.performance) { performance.mark('taunton:articlebody:end'); performance.measure('taunton:articlebody', 'taunton:articlebody:start', 'taunton:articlebody:end'); } </script> </div>   <div class="article__content--secondary gs-article-grid__content--secondary gs-column-flex">  <div class="dfp-ad rectangle" data-dfp-id="dfp-rectangle-1"><div class="inner container"><div id="dfp-rectangle-1"></div></div></div>     <div class="dfp-ad rectangle rf-rectangle-pin-middle" data-dfp-id="dfp-rectangle-desktop-extra"><div class="inner container"><div id="dfp-rectangle-desktop-extra"></div></div></div> <div class="dfp-ad rectangle rf-rectangle-pin-bottom" data-dfp-id="dfp-rectangle-2"><div class="inner container"><div id="dfp-rectangle-2"></div></div></div> </div>  </div> </div>   <script> if (window.performance) { performance.mark('taunton:comments:start'); } </script>  <div class="comments"> <div class="comments__wrapper"> <h2 class="comments__heading">View Comments</h2> <ol class="comments__list"> <li class="comments__list-item" id="comment-1291834"> <div class="comments__info comments__list-item__image"> <img alt='' src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/663b87017088da70706577c3004c6086?s=36&d=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.finehomebuilding.com%2Fapp%2Favatars%2F200x200%2Fe.png&r=g' srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/663b87017088da70706577c3004c6086?s=72&d=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.finehomebuilding.com%2Fapp%2Favatars%2F200x200%2Fe.png&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-36 photo' height='36' width='36' loading='lazy' decoding='async'/> </div> <div class="comments__list-item__copy"> <span class="comments__list-item__comment-info"> <a class="author" href="/profile/ElroyStamm" rel='nofollow'>ElroyStamm</a> <span class="separator">|</span> <time class="comments__date">Jun 26, 2024 02:25am</time> <span class="separator">|</span> <a class="comments__number" href="#comment-1291834">#1</a> </span> <div class="comments__list-item__text"><p>Such remodeling projects meet common homeowner requests for more modern and open floor plans, adding value to their properties <a href="https://fallguys.onl" rel="nofollow ugc">Fall Guys</a>.</p> </div> </div> </li> </li> </ol> </div> <div class="comments__cta" id="respond"> <h2>Log in or create an account to post a comment.</h2> <a class="comments__cta__signup" href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/user/login?return_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.finehomebuilding.com%2F2024%2F05%2F24%2Fi-beam-to-the-rescue" rel="nofollow">Sign up</a> <a class="comments__cta__login" href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/user/login?return_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.finehomebuilding.com%2F2024%2F05%2F24%2Fi-beam-to-the-rescue" rel="nofollow" >Log in</a> <h3><a href="https://subscribe.finehomebuilding.com/FHB_trial?pk=W20120FS&returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.finehomebuilding.com%2F2024%2F05%2F24%2Fi-beam-to-the-rescue&ref=fhb-comments-login" data-freetrial="Comments Login">Become a member</a> and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com</h3> </div> </div> <script> if (window.performance) { performance.mark('taunton:comments:end'); performance.measure('taunton:comments', 'taunton:comments:start', 'taunton:comments:end'); } </script> </div> <div class="dfp-ad leaderboard" data-dfp-id="dfp-leaderboard-2"><div class="inner container"><div id="dfp-leaderboard-2"></div></div></div><div class="branded-blog-topic container"> </div>    <div class="suggested-content container"> <div class="suggested-content__header"> <h1 class="suggested-content__heading">Up Next</h1> </div>  <div class="module--firework container"> <h1 class="module__heading">Video Shorts</h1> <div class="module--firework__content"> <div class="module--firework__carousel"> <fw-embed-feed channel="finehomebuilding" playlist="5R7K8o" mode="row" open_in="default" max_videos="12" placement="middle" branding="false"></fw-embed-feed> </div> <div class="dfp-ad rectangle" data-dfp-id="dfp-rectangle-firework"><div class="inner container"><div id="dfp-rectangle-firework"></div></div></div> </div> </div> <div class="suggested-content--primary"> <div class="suggested-content__featured"> <h3 class="suggested-content__type">Featured Story</h3> <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2024/11/14/dynamite-dadu"> <div class="suggested-content__image"> <img width="460" height="260" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/11/14130917/01232871-dynamite-dadu-feature-1-thumb-16x9.jpg" class="attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, (max-width: 700px) 50vw, (max-width: 1120px) 34vw, 355px" decoding="async" srcset="https://d4c5gb8slvq7w.cloudfront.net/eyJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjUwMCwiaGVpZ2h0IjoyODN9fSwiYnVja2V0IjoiZmluZWhvbWVidWlsZGluZy5zMy50YXVudG9uY2xvdWQuY29tIiwia2V5IjoiYXBwXC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDI0XC8xMVwvMTQxMzA5MTdcLzAxMjMyODcxLWR5bmFtaXRlLWRhZHUtZmVhdHVyZS0xLXRodW1iLTE2eDkuanBnIn0= 500w, https://d4c5gb8slvq7w.cloudfront.net/eyJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjQzNywiaGVpZ2h0IjoyNDd9fSwiYnVja2V0IjoiZmluZWhvbWVidWlsZGluZy5zMy50YXVudG9uY2xvdWQuY29tIiwia2V5IjoiYXBwXC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDI0XC8xMVwvMTQxMzA5MTdcLzAxMjMyODcxLWR5bmFtaXRlLWRhZHUtZmVhdHVyZS0xLXRodW1iLTE2eDkuanBnIn0= 437w, https://d4c5gb8slvq7w.cloudfront.net/eyJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjM3NCwiaGVpZ2h0IjoyMTJ9fSwiYnVja2V0IjoiZmluZWhvbWVidWlsZGluZy5zMy50YXVudG9uY2xvdWQuY29tIiwia2V5IjoiYXBwXC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDI0XC8xMVwvMTQxMzA5MTdcLzAxMjMyODcxLWR5bmFtaXRlLWRhZHUtZmVhdHVyZS0xLXRodW1iLTE2eDkuanBnIn0= 374w, https://d4c5gb8slvq7w.cloudfront.net/eyJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjI1MCwiaGVpZ2h0IjoxNDJ9fSwiYnVja2V0IjoiZmluZWhvbWVidWlsZGluZy5zMy50YXVudG9uY2xvdWQuY29tIiwia2V5IjoiYXBwXC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDI0XC8xMVwvMTQxMzA5MTdcLzAxMjMyODcxLWR5bmFtaXRlLWRhZHUtZmVhdHVyZS0xLXRodW1iLTE2eDkuanBnIn0= 250w" /> </div> <span class="suggested-content__title title">Dynamite DADU</span> </a> <p>This compact detatched accessory dwelling has an efficient layout with a vaulted ceiling that enhances the sense of space.</p> </div>  <div class="suggested-content__video"> <h3 class="suggested-content__type">Featured Video</h3> <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/project-guides/foundations-and-masonry-work/video-build-fireplace-brick-brick"> <div class="video-overlay suggested-content__image" href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/project-guides/foundations-and-masonry-work/video-build-fireplace-brick-brick"> <img width="460" height="260" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2019/05/29210331/0212840342-1-thumb-16x9.jpg" class="attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, (max-width: 700px) 50vw, (max-width: 1120px) 34vw, 355px" decoding="async" srcset="https://d4c5gb8slvq7w.cloudfront.net/eyJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjUwMCwiaGVpZ2h0IjoyODN9fSwiYnVja2V0IjoiZmluZWhvbWVidWlsZGluZy5zMy50YXVudG9uY2xvdWQuY29tIiwia2V5IjoiYXBwXC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDE5XC8wNVwvMjkyMTAzMzFcLzAyMTI4NDAzNDItMS10aHVtYi0xNng5LmpwZyJ9 500w, https://d4c5gb8slvq7w.cloudfront.net/eyJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjQzNywiaGVpZ2h0IjoyNDd9fSwiYnVja2V0IjoiZmluZWhvbWVidWlsZGluZy5zMy50YXVudG9uY2xvdWQuY29tIiwia2V5IjoiYXBwXC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDE5XC8wNVwvMjkyMTAzMzFcLzAyMTI4NDAzNDItMS10aHVtYi0xNng5LmpwZyJ9 437w, https://d4c5gb8slvq7w.cloudfront.net/eyJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjM3NCwiaGVpZ2h0IjoyMTJ9fSwiYnVja2V0IjoiZmluZWhvbWVidWlsZGluZy5zMy50YXVudG9uY2xvdWQuY29tIiwia2V5IjoiYXBwXC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDE5XC8wNVwvMjkyMTAzMzFcLzAyMTI4NDAzNDItMS10aHVtYi0xNng5LmpwZyJ9 374w, https://d4c5gb8slvq7w.cloudfront.net/eyJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjI1MCwiaGVpZ2h0IjoxNDJ9fSwiYnVja2V0IjoiZmluZWhvbWVidWlsZGluZy5zMy50YXVudG9uY2xvdWQuY29tIiwia2V5IjoiYXBwXC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDE5XC8wNVwvMjkyMTAzMzFcLzAyMTI4NDAzNDItMS10aHVtYi0xNng5LmpwZyJ9 250w" /> </div> <span class="suggested-content__title title">Video: Build a Fireplace, Brick by Brick</span> </a> <p class="suggested-content__teaser">Watch mason Mike Mehaffey construct a traditional-style fireplace that burns well and meets current building codes.</p> </div>  <div class="suggested-content__stories"> <h3 class="suggested-content__type">Related Stories</h3> <ul class="suggested-content__stories-list"> <li> <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2024/11/13/free-captive-pipes-and-cables"> <div class="thumb__image"> <img loading="lazy" src="//www.finehomebuilding.com/app/uploads/2024/11/01232818-free-captive-pipes-2-thumb-1x1.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" > </div> <div class="thumb__text-block"> <span class="thumb__heading title">Free Captive Pipes and Cables</span> </div> </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2024/11/13/cordless-coil-siding-nailer"> <div class="thumb__image"> <img loading="lazy" src="//www.finehomebuilding.com/app/uploads/2024/11/01232824-cordless-coil-siding-nailer-thumb-1x1.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" > </div> <div class="thumb__text-block"> <span class="thumb__heading title">Cordless Coil Siding Nailer</span> </div> </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2024/11/08/podcast-segment-657-building-a-paintable-surface-over-a-traditional-stone-wall"> <div class="thumb__image"> <img loading="lazy" src="//www.finehomebuilding.com/app/uploads/2024/11/FHB-657-Segment-3-feature-1-thumb-1x1.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" > </div> <div class="thumb__text-block"> <span class="thumb__heading title">FHB Podcast Segment: Building a Paintable Surface Over a Traditional Stone Wall</span> </div> </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2024/11/01/sheathing-walls-solo"> <div class="thumb__image"> <img loading="lazy" src="//s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/1994/05/08130838/hb88tp04-01-main-v2-thumb-1x1.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" > </div> <div class="thumb__text-block"> <span class="thumb__heading title">Sheathing Walls Solo</span> </div> </a> </li> </ul> </div>  </div>  </div>   <div class="dfp-ad inread-ad" data-dfp-id="dfp-inread"><div class="inner container"><div id="dfp-inread"></div></div></div> <section class="question__community"> <div class="container"> <h1 class="module__heading">Discussion Forum</h1> <div class="module--recent-qa"> <h2 class="module--title">Recent Posts and Replies</h2> <div class="module--recent-qa__content"> <ul class="module--activity-list loading"> <li class="module--activity-list__item"> <a class="image"></a> <div class="copy"> <span class="module--activity-list__item__title"></span> <div class="module--activity-list__item__meta"> <span class="reply-count"></span> | <time></time> </div> </div> </li> <li class="module--activity-list__item"> <a class="image"></a> <div class="copy"> <span class="module--activity-list__item__title"></span> <div class="module--activity-list__item__meta"> <span class="reply-count"></span> | <time></time> </div> </div> </li> <li class="module--activity-list__item"> <a class="image"></a> <div class="copy"> <span class="module--activity-list__item__title"></span> <div class="module--activity-list__item__meta"> <span class="reply-count"></span> | <time></time> </div> </div> </li> <li class="module--activity-list__item"> <a class="image"></a> <div class="copy"> <span class="module--activity-list__item__title"></span> <div class="module--activity-list__item__meta"> <span class="reply-count"></span> | <time></time> </div> </div> </li> <li class="module--activity-list__item"> <a class="image"></a> <div class="copy"> <span class="module--activity-list__item__title"></span> <div class="module--activity-list__item__meta"> <span class="reply-count"></span> | <time></time> </div> </div> </li> <li class="module--activity-list__item"> <a class="image"></a> <div class="copy"> <span class="module--activity-list__item__title"></span> <div class="module--activity-list__item__meta"> <span class="reply-count"></span> | <time></time> </div> </div> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="module--activity-list__more"> <a class="community-btn--secondary" href="/discussion-forum/">View More</a> <a class="community-btn--secondary" href="/post/forum/">Create Post</a> </div> </div> </div> </section>   <div class="highlights container"> <h2 class="highlights__heading">Highlights</h2> <div class="highlights__list"> <div class="highlights__item highlight-box-1"> <div class="highlights__item-content"> <a class="image house-ad" href="https://subscribe.finehomebuilding.com/FHB_trial?pk=W20120FS&returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.finehomebuilding.com%2F2024%2F05%2F24%2Fi-beam-to-the-rescue&ref=fh-highlight" data-freetrial="FHB Highlights"> <img loading="lazy" width="300" height="250" src="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/app/themes/finehomebuilding/dist/img/highlights/PROMO-635_FH_AA_300_250_mrec1_tag.jpg" alt="Fine Homebuilding All Access"> </a> </div> </div> <div class="highlights__item highlight-box-2" data-random="0"> <div class="highlights__item-content"> <a class="image house-ad" href="/blog/fine-homebuilding-podcast"> <img loading="lazy" width="300" height="250" src="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/app/themes/finehomebuilding/dist/img/highlights/PROMO-629_FHB_NewLogo_Updates_PODCAST-300x250.jpg" alt="Fine Homebuilding Podcast"> </a> </div> </div> <div class="highlights__item highlight-box-2" data-random="1"> <div class="highlights__item-content"> <a target="_blank" href="https://www.tauntonstore.com/gifts-for-home-builders.html?&source=W20447EM&sourcekey=W20447EM&utm_source=web&utm_campaign=holiday-2017&utm_content=holiday-highlight-module"> <div class="image"> <img loading="lazy" width="300" height="250" src="https://images.finehomebuilding.com/app/uploads/2017/11/22161242/MU8800_FH_highlight_module_340_192.jpg" alt="Tool Tech"> </div> <div class="copy"> <span class="title">Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20</span> </div> </a> </div> </div>  <div class="highlights__item highlight-box-3"> <div class="highlights__item-content"> <div class="copy"> <div class="highlights__quote"> <p>"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.</p> </div> </div> <div class="highlights__form">  <div class="email_subscribe__copy"> <p class="message">Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox</p> </div> <div class="email_subscribe__form embed-submit"> <form class="email-subscribe-form" data-source="FHB_hlight" data-placement="FHB_hlight" data-email_sub_products="19|41|21" data-email_subscribe_nonce="4482f25e16" > <div class="formfield"> <input class="embed-submit__textfield" name="email" type="email" autocomplete="email" placeholder="Email Address" aria-label="Email Address" /> </div> <div> <button class="embed-submit__submit" type="submit">Sign Up</button> <p class="loading-message">Signing you up...</p> </div> <div class="recaptchaDisclaimer"> This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google <a href="https://policies.google.com/privacy">Privacy Policy</a> and <a href="https://policies.google.com/terms">Terms of Service</a> apply. </div> <a class="email_subscribe__form_link eu-link" href="/pages/newsletter-signup?ref=EUsignup" target="_blank">See all newsletters</a> <div class="all-newsletters"> <a class="email_subscribe__form_link all-newsletters" href="/pages/newsletter-signup?ref=FHB_hlight" target="_blank">See all newsletters</a> </div> </form> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="video__section"> <div class="container">  <div class="topic-content topic-content--videos"> <div class="header"> <h2 class="header__title">Video</h2> <a class="more-link" href="/section/video">View All<span class="sr-only"> Videos</span></a> </div>  <ul class="content__list gs-grid gs-gap gs-grid-cols-2 gs-grid-cols-4:mdlg"> <li> <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2024/09/13/fhb-podcast-segment-ductwork-in-a-vented-attic"> <div class="image video-overlay"> <img width="460" height="260" src="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/app/uploads/2024/09/FHB-Pod-649-Segment-3-Feature-scaled-thumb-16x9.jpg" class="attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, (max-width: 1120px) 25vw, 250px" decoding="async" srcset="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/app/uploads/2024/09/FHB-Pod-649-Segment-3-Feature-scaled-thumb-16x9.jpg 500w, https://www.finehomebuilding.com/app/uploads/2024/09/FHB-Pod-649-Segment-3-Feature-scaled-thumb-16x9.jpg 415w, https://www.finehomebuilding.com/app/uploads/2024/09/FHB-Pod-649-Segment-3-Feature-scaled-thumb-16x9.jpg 330w, https://www.finehomebuilding.com/app/uploads/2024/09/FHB-Pod-649-Segment-3-Feature-scaled-thumb-16x9.jpg 160w" /> </div> <span class="title">FHB Podcast Segment: Ductwork in a Vented Attic</span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2023/07/21/podcast-583-members-only-aftershow-drywall-constructions-unsung-hero"> <div class="image video-overlay"> <img width="460" height="260" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2023/07/20074436/FHB-Podcast-Aftershow-583-main-thumb-16x9.jpg" class="attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, (max-width: 1120px) 25vw, 250px" decoding="async" srcset="https://d4c5gb8slvq7w.cloudfront.net/eyJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjUwMCwiaGVpZ2h0IjoyODN9fSwiYnVja2V0IjoiZmluZWhvbWVidWlsZGluZy5zMy50YXVudG9uY2xvdWQuY29tIiwia2V5IjoiYXBwXC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDIzXC8wN1wvMjAwNzQ0MzZcL0ZIQi1Qb2RjYXN0LUFmdGVyc2hvdy01ODMtbWFpbi10aHVtYi0xNng5LmpwZyJ9 500w, https://d4c5gb8slvq7w.cloudfront.net/eyJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjQxNSwiaGVpZ2h0IjoyMzV9fSwiYnVja2V0IjoiZmluZWhvbWVidWlsZGluZy5zMy50YXVudG9uY2xvdWQuY29tIiwia2V5IjoiYXBwXC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDIzXC8wN1wvMjAwNzQ0MzZcL0ZIQi1Qb2RjYXN0LUFmdGVyc2hvdy01ODMtbWFpbi10aHVtYi0xNng5LmpwZyJ9 415w, https://d4c5gb8slvq7w.cloudfront.net/eyJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjMzMCwiaGVpZ2h0IjoxODd9fSwiYnVja2V0IjoiZmluZWhvbWVidWlsZGluZy5zMy50YXVudG9uY2xvdWQuY29tIiwia2V5IjoiYXBwXC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDIzXC8wN1wvMjAwNzQ0MzZcL0ZIQi1Qb2RjYXN0LUFmdGVyc2hvdy01ODMtbWFpbi10aHVtYi0xNng5LmpwZyJ9 330w, https://d4c5gb8slvq7w.cloudfront.net/eyJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjE2MCwiaGVpZ2h0Ijo5MX19LCJidWNrZXQiOiJmaW5laG9tZWJ1aWxkaW5nLnMzLnRhdW50b25jbG91ZC5jb20iLCJrZXkiOiJhcHBcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMjNcLzA3XC8yMDA3NDQzNlwvRkhCLVBvZGNhc3QtQWZ0ZXJzaG93LTU4My1tYWluLXRodW1iLTE2eDkuanBnIn0= 160w" /> </div> <span class="title">Podcast 583: Members-only Aftershow — Drywall: Construction’s Unsung Hero</span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2023/05/17/episode-4-final-coat-and-sanding"> <div class="image video-overlay"> <img width="460" height="260" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2023/05/08163640/Modern-Drywaller_Final-Coat-460x260.jpg" class="attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, (max-width: 1120px) 25vw, 250px" decoding="async" srcset="https://d4c5gb8slvq7w.cloudfront.net/eyJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjUwMCwiaGVpZ2h0IjoyODN9fSwiYnVja2V0IjoiZmluZWhvbWVidWlsZGluZy5zMy50YXVudG9uY2xvdWQuY29tIiwia2V5IjoiYXBwXC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDIzXC8wNVwvMDgxNjM2NDBcL01vZGVybi1Ecnl3YWxsZXJfRmluYWwtQ29hdC5qcGcifQ== 500w, https://d4c5gb8slvq7w.cloudfront.net/eyJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjQxNSwiaGVpZ2h0IjoyMzV9fSwiYnVja2V0IjoiZmluZWhvbWVidWlsZGluZy5zMy50YXVudG9uY2xvdWQuY29tIiwia2V5IjoiYXBwXC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDIzXC8wNVwvMDgxNjM2NDBcL01vZGVybi1Ecnl3YWxsZXJfRmluYWwtQ29hdC5qcGcifQ== 415w, https://d4c5gb8slvq7w.cloudfront.net/eyJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjMzMCwiaGVpZ2h0IjoxODd9fSwiYnVja2V0IjoiZmluZWhvbWVidWlsZGluZy5zMy50YXVudG9uY2xvdWQuY29tIiwia2V5IjoiYXBwXC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDIzXC8wNVwvMDgxNjM2NDBcL01vZGVybi1Ecnl3YWxsZXJfRmluYWwtQ29hdC5qcGcifQ== 330w, https://d4c5gb8slvq7w.cloudfront.net/eyJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjE2MCwiaGVpZ2h0Ijo5MX19LCJidWNrZXQiOiJmaW5laG9tZWJ1aWxkaW5nLnMzLnRhdW50b25jbG91ZC5jb20iLCJrZXkiOiJhcHBcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMjNcLzA1XC8wODE2MzY0MFwvTW9kZXJuLURyeXdhbGxlcl9GaW5hbC1Db2F0LmpwZyJ9 160w" /> </div> <span class="title">Episode 4: Final Coat and Sanding</span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2023/05/17/episode-3-tools-for-an-efficient-fill-coat"> <div class="image video-overlay"> <img width="460" height="260" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2023/05/08160544/Modern-Drywaller_Fill-Coat-main-460x260.jpg" class="attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, (max-width: 1120px) 25vw, 250px" decoding="async" srcset="https://d4c5gb8slvq7w.cloudfront.net/eyJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjUwMCwiaGVpZ2h0IjoyODN9fSwiYnVja2V0IjoiZmluZWhvbWVidWlsZGluZy5zMy50YXVudG9uY2xvdWQuY29tIiwia2V5IjoiYXBwXC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDIzXC8wNVwvMDgxNjA1NDRcL01vZGVybi1Ecnl3YWxsZXJfRmlsbC1Db2F0LW1haW4uanBnIn0= 500w, https://d4c5gb8slvq7w.cloudfront.net/eyJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjQxNSwiaGVpZ2h0IjoyMzV9fSwiYnVja2V0IjoiZmluZWhvbWVidWlsZGluZy5zMy50YXVudG9uY2xvdWQuY29tIiwia2V5IjoiYXBwXC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDIzXC8wNVwvMDgxNjA1NDRcL01vZGVybi1Ecnl3YWxsZXJfRmlsbC1Db2F0LW1haW4uanBnIn0= 415w, https://d4c5gb8slvq7w.cloudfront.net/eyJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjMzMCwiaGVpZ2h0IjoxODd9fSwiYnVja2V0IjoiZmluZWhvbWVidWlsZGluZy5zMy50YXVudG9uY2xvdWQuY29tIiwia2V5IjoiYXBwXC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDIzXC8wNVwvMDgxNjA1NDRcL01vZGVybi1Ecnl3YWxsZXJfRmlsbC1Db2F0LW1haW4uanBnIn0= 330w, https://d4c5gb8slvq7w.cloudfront.net/eyJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjE2MCwiaGVpZ2h0Ijo5MX19LCJidWNrZXQiOiJmaW5laG9tZWJ1aWxkaW5nLnMzLnRhdW50b25jbG91ZC5jb20iLCJrZXkiOiJhcHBcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMjNcLzA1XC8wODE2MDU0NFwvTW9kZXJuLURyeXdhbGxlcl9GaWxsLUNvYXQtbWFpbi5qcGcifQ== 160w" /> </div> <span class="title">Episode 3: Tools for an Efficient Fill Coat</span> </a> </li> </ul>  <a class="more-link--mobile" href="/section/video">View All</a> </div> </div> </div>  <div class="container">  <div class="topic-content"> <div class="header"> <h2 class="header__title">Drywall</h2> <a class="more-link" href="/category/drywall">View All<span class="sr-only"> Drywall Articles</span></a> </div>  <ul class="content__list gs-grid gs-gap gs-grid-cols-2 gs-grid-cols-4:mdlg"> <li> <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2024/10/15/repairing-damaged-walls-and-ceilings"> <div class="image"> <img src="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/app/uploads/2024/10/01232728-repairing-walls-ceilings-feature-thumb-16x9.jpg" width="460" height="260" alt="" loading="lazy" srcset_widths="300,250"> </div> <span class="title">Repairing Damaged Walls and Ceilings</span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2024/09/13/fhb-podcast-segment-ductwork-in-a-vented-attic"> <div class="image"> <img src="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/app/uploads/2024/09/FHB-Pod-649-Segment-3-Feature-scaled-thumb-16x9.jpg" width="460" height="260" alt="" loading="lazy" srcset_widths="300,250"> </div> <span class="title">FHB Podcast Segment: Ductwork in a Vented Attic</span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2024/05/28/prevent-bubbles-in-joint-compound"> <div class="image"> <img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/23093921/01232476-bubble-buster-1-thumb-16x9.jpg" width="460" height="260" alt="" loading="lazy" srcset_widths="300,250"> </div> <span class="title">Prevent Bubbles in Joint Compound</span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2024/05/24/i-beam-to-the-rescue"> <div class="image"> <img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/21132755/01232436-i-beam-to-rescue-feature-scaled-thumb-16x9.jpg" width="460" height="260" alt="" loading="lazy" srcset_widths="300,250"> </div> <span class="title">I-Beam to the Rescue</span> </a> </li> </ul>  <a class="more-link--mobile" href="/category/drywall">View All<span class="sr-only"> Drywall Articles</span></a> </div>   <div class="hard-copies has-ad">  <ul class="content__list hard-copies__content--main"> </ul>  <div class="hard-copies__content--secondary">  <div class="dfp-ad rectangle" data-dfp-id="dfp-rectangle-3"><div class="inner container"><div id="dfp-rectangle-3"></div></div></div> </div> </div>  </div>  </div> <div class="dfp-ad leaderboard" data-dfp-id="dfp-leaderboard-3"><div class="inner container"><div id="dfp-leaderboard-3"></div></div></div> <div class="magazine__section"> <div class="magazine__inner container"> <h2 class="magazine__heading">Fine Homebuilding Magazine</h2> <ul class="magazine__issues"> <li class="magazine__issues__item"> <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/issue/2024/11/issue-328-dec-jan"> <div class="magazine__issues__image"> <img loading="lazy" src="//www.finehomebuilding.com/app/uploads/2024/11/FHB328-Cover.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="757" > </div>  <span class="magazine__issues__title title">Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2024</span> </a> <div class="magazine__issues__toc"> <ul class="magazine__stories"> <li class="magazine__stories__item"> <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2024/11/11/328-how-a-pro-replaces-columns">How a Pro Replaces Columns</a> </li> <li class="magazine__stories__item"> <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2024/11/11/passive-house-3-0">Passive House 3.0</a> </li> <li class="magazine__stories__item"> <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2024/11/11/tool-test-compact-line-lasers">Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers</a> </li> </ul> </div>  </li> <li class="magazine__issues__item"> <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/issue/2024/10/issue-327-november"> <div class="magazine__issues__image"> <img loading="lazy" src="//www.finehomebuilding.com/app/uploads/2024/09/FHB327-cover.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="757" > </div>  <span class="magazine__issues__title title">Issue 327 - November 2024</span> </a> <div class="magazine__issues__toc"> <ul class="magazine__stories"> <li class="magazine__stories__item"> <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2024/10/15/repairing-damaged-walls-and-ceilings">Repairing Damaged Walls and Ceilings</a> </li> <li class="magazine__stories__item"> <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2024/10/14/plumbing-protection">Plumbing Protection</a> </li> <li class="magazine__stories__item"> <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2024/10/15/talking-shop">Talking Shop</a> </li> </ul> </div>  </li> <li class="magazine__issues__item"> <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/issue/2024/09/issue-326-october"> <div class="magazine__issues__image"> <img loading="lazy" src="//s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/09/10122406/FHB326-cover.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="757" > </div>  <span class="magazine__issues__title title">Issue 326 - October 2024</span> </a> <div class="magazine__issues__toc"> <ul class="magazine__stories"> <li class="magazine__stories__item"> <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2024/09/11/paint-behind-strike-plates">Paint Behind Strike Plates</a> </li> <li class="magazine__stories__item"> <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2024/09/11/conceal-cut-ends">Conceal Cut Ends</a> </li> <li class="magazine__stories__item"> <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2024/09/10/ladder-slip-solution">Ladder Slip Solution</a> </li> </ul> </div>  </li> <li class="magazine__issues__item"> <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/issue/2024/07/issue-325-august-september"> <div class="magazine__issues__image"> <img loading="lazy" src="//s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/07/10113643/FHB325-cover.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="757" > </div>  <span class="magazine__issues__title title">Issue 325 - August/September 2024</span> </a> <div class="magazine__issues__toc"> <ul class="magazine__stories"> <li class="magazine__stories__item"> <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2024/07/11/the-cali-valley-heads-east">The Cali Valley Heads East</a> </li> <li class="magazine__stories__item"> <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2024/07/12/a-deep-dive-into-continuous-exterior-insulation">A Deep Dive Into Continuous Exterior Insulation</a> </li> <li class="magazine__stories__item"> <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2024/07/10/secrets-of-thermal-imaging">Secrets of Thermal Imaging</a> </li> </ul> </div>  </li> <li class="magazine__issues__item"> <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/issue/2024/05/issue-324-july-2024"> <div class="magazine__issues__image"> <img loading="lazy" src="//s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2024/05/28121559/012324-cover.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="757" > </div>  <span class="magazine__issues__title title">Issue 324 - July 2024</span> </a> <div class="magazine__issues__toc"> <ul class="magazine__stories"> <li class="magazine__stories__item"> <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2024/05/24/barn-transformation">Barn Transformation</a> </li> <li class="magazine__stories__item"> <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2024/05/24/i-beam-to-the-rescue">I-Beam to the Rescue</a> </li> <li class="magazine__stories__item"> <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2024/05/30/save-with-a-smart-thermostat">Save With a Smart Thermostat</a> </li> </ul> </div>  </li> </ul>  </div>  </div>  <div class="sitefooter"> <div class="sitefooter__inner container"> <h2 class="sitefooter__heading"> <svg class="svg-logo"> <use xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="#fhb-brand-logo"></use> </svg> <p class="sitefooter__heading_name">Fine Homebuilding</p> </h2> <div class="sitefooter--primary"> <div class="sitefooter__block sitefooter__block__social-links"> <h3 class="sitefooter__category">Follow</h3> <ul class="sitefooter__social-links"> <li data-social-network="Twitter" data-social-action="follow" data-social-target="mobile-menu"> <a class="item__link x" href="https://twitter.com/FHBMagazine" target="_blank"> <svg class="svg-social"> <use xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="#x"></use> </svg> <span class="sr-only">X</span> </a> </li> <li data-social-network="YouTube" data-social-action="follow" data-social-target="footer"> <a class="item__link youtube" href="https://www.youtube.com/user/finehomebuilding" target="_blank" aria-label="YouTube"> <svg class="svg-social"> <use xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="#youtube" /> </svg> <span class="sr-only">YouTube</span> </a> </li> <li data-social-network="Instagram" data-social-action="follow" data-social-target="mobile-menu"> <a class="item__link instagram" href="https://www.instagram.com/finehomebuilding/?hl=en" target="_blank"> <svg class="svg-social"> <use xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="#instagram"></use> </svg> <span class="sr-only">instagram</span> </a> </li> <li data-social-network="Facebook" data-social-action="follow" data-social-target="mobile-menu"> <a class="item__link facebook" href="https://www.facebook.com/FineHomebuildingMagazine" target="_blank"> <svg class="svg-social"> <use xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="#facebook"></use> </svg> <span class="sr-only">facebook</span> </a> </li> <li data-social-network="Pinterest" data-social-action="follow" data-social-target="mobile-menu"> <a class="item__link pinterest" href="https://www.pinterest.com/fhbmagazine/" target="_blank"> <svg class="svg-social"> <use xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="#pinterest"></use> </svg> <span class="sr-only">pinterest</span> </a> </li> <li data-social-network="Tiktok" data-social-action="follow" data-social-target="footer"> <a class="item__link tiktok" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@finehomebuilding" target="_blank" aria-label="Tiktok"> <svg class="svg-social"> <use xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="#tiktok" /> </svg> <span class="sr-only">Tiktok</span> </a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="sitefooter__block sitefooter__block__newsletter"> <h3 class="sitefooter__category">Newsletter</h3> <div class="sitefooter__form">  <div class="email_subscribe__copy"> <p class="message">Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox</p> </div> <div class="email_subscribe__form embed-submit"> <form class="email-subscribe-form" data-source="FHB_footer" data-placement="Footer" data-email_sub_products="19|41|21" data-email_subscribe_nonce="4482f25e16" > <div class="formfield"> <input class="embed-submit__textfield" name="email" type="email" autocomplete="email" placeholder="Email Address" aria-label="Email Address" /> </div> <div> <button class="embed-submit__submit" type="submit">Go</button> <p class="loading-message">Signing you up...</p> </div> <div class="recaptchaDisclaimer"> This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google <a href="https://policies.google.com/privacy">Privacy Policy</a> and <a href="https://policies.google.com/terms">Terms of Service</a> apply. </div> <a class="email_subscribe__form_link eu-link" href="/pages/newsletter-signup?ref=EUsignup" target="_blank">See all newsletters</a> <div class="all-newsletters"> <a class="email_subscribe__form_link all-newsletters" href="/pages/newsletter-signup?ref=FHB_footer" target="_blank">See all newsletters</a> </div> </form> </div> </div> </div> <div class="sitefooter__block sitefooter__block__subscribe"> <h3 class="sitefooter__category">Membership & Magazine</h3> <ul class="sitefooter__text-list"> <li><a href="/onlinearchive">Online Archive</a></li> <li><a href="https://subscribe.finehomebuilding.com/FHB_trial?pk=W20120FS&returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.finehomebuilding.com%2F2024%2F05%2F24%2Fi-beam-to-the-rescue&ref=fhb-footer" data-freetrial="Footer">Start Free Trial</a></li> <li><a href="https://subscribe.finehomebuilding.com/FHB_print?pk=W20094FS&returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.finehomebuilding.com%2F2024%2F05%2F24%2Fi-beam-to-the-rescue&ref=fhb-footer" data-subscribe="Footer">Magazine Subscription</a></li> <li><a href="https://subscribe.finehomebuilding.com/FHB_renewprint?pk=W20130FS&returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.finehomebuilding.com%2F2024%2F05%2F24%2Fi-beam-to-the-rescue&ref=fhb-footer" data-subscribe-renew="Footer">Magazine Renewal</a></li> <li><a href="https://subscribe.finehomebuilding.com/FHB_gift?pk=W20130FS&returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.finehomebuilding.com%2F2024%2F05%2F24%2Fi-beam-to-the-rescue&ref=fhb-footer" data-subscribe-gift="Footer">Gift a Subscription</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/faq">Customer Support</a></li> <li><a id="taunton-user-consent__open_footer" class="taunton-user-consent__open footer" href="#">Privacy Preferences</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="sitefooter--secondary"> <ul class="sitefooter__pagelinks"> <li><a href="https://www.aimmedia.com/about-us/">About</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.aimmedia.com/contact-us/">Contact</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.finehomebuildingmediakit.com/">Advertise</a></li> <li><a href="https://active-interest-media.breezy.hr/">Careers</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.aimmedia.com/terms-of-service/">Terms of Use</a></li> <li><a href="/sitemap">Site Map</a></li> </ul> <ul class="sitefooter__pagelinks"> <li><a href="/do-not-sell-my-information" id="taunton-user-consent__donotsell">Do not sell or share my information</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.aimmedia.com/privacy-policy">Privacy Policy</a></li> <li><a href="https://adasitecompliancetools.com/ap.asp?h=TNTPRS&ref=finehomebuilding">Accessibility</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.aimmedia.com/privacy-policy#CArights">California Privacy Rights</a></li> </ul> <p class="sitefooter__copyright">© 2024 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.</p> <p class="sitefooter__disclaimer">Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.</p> </div>  </div>  </div>   </div>   <div class="modal__wrapper modal__wrapper--carousel full-screen slideshow-container gone"> <div class="modal__content container"> <div class="modal__carousel"> </div>  <span class="modal__close" role="button" aria-label="Close" tabindex="0">X</span> </div>  </div>   <div class="modal__wrapper modal__wrapper--image full-screen gone"> <div class="modal__content container"> <div class="modal__image__wrap" tabindex="0"> <figure> <div class="modal__image">  </div> <div class="modal__caption">  </div> </figure> </div> <span class="modal__close" role="button" aria-label="Close" tabindex="0">X</span> </div>  </div>  <div class="modal__wrapper modal__wrapper--menu gone" aria-describedby='modalDescription'> <div class='screenreader-text' id='modalDescription'> This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page. </div> <div class="modal__content" role="navigation" aria-label="Modal"> <div class="modal__inner container"> <div class="modal-menu__search"> <form action="https://www.finehomebuilding.com"> <div class="embed-submit"> <div class="form__field"> <input class="embed-submit__textfield" type="text" placeholder="Search" name="s" aria-label="Search"> </div> <div class="form__field"> <button type="submit" class="embed-submit__submit"> <svg class="svg-icon"> <use xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="#main-nav-search"></use> </svg> <span class="sr-only">Search</span> </button> </div> </div> </form> </div>  <div class="modal-menu"> <div class="modal-menu__suggested-links"> <div class="modal-menu__mobile-main"> <h2 class="modal-menu__heading">Main Menu</h2> <ul class="modal-menu__list"> <li><a href="/howto">How-To</a></li> <li><a href="/design">Design</a></li> <li><a href="/tools-materials">Tools & Materials</a></li> <li><a href="/videos">Video</a></li> <li><a href="/blogs">Blogs</a></li> <li><a href="/discussion-forum">Forum</a></li> <li><a href="/project-guides">Project Guides</a></li> <li><a href="/readerprojects">Reader Projects</a></li> <li><a href="/magazine">Magazine</a></li> <li><a href="/members">Members</a></li> <li><a href="/fhb-house">FHB House</a></li> </ul> <h2 class="modal-menu__heading">Podcasts</h2> <ul class="modal-menu__list"> <li><a href="/blog/fine-homebuilding-podcast">FHB Podcast</a></li> <li><a href="/blog/the-fine-homebuilding-pro-talk-podcast">ProTalk</a></li> </ul> <h2 class="modal-menu__heading">Webinars</h2> <ul class="modal-menu__list"> <li><a href="/webinars">Upcoming and On-Demand</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="modal-menu__content-wrap modal-menu__content-wrap--popular-topics"> <h2 class="modal-menu__heading">Podcasts</h2> <ul class="modal-menu__list modal-menu__list--popular-topics"> <li><a href="/blog/fine-homebuilding-podcast">FHB Podcast</a></li> <li><a href="/blog/the-fine-homebuilding-pro-talk-podcast">ProTalk</a></li> </ul> <h2 class="modal-menu__heading">Webinars</h2> <ul class="modal-menu__list"> <li><a href="/webinars">Upcoming and On-Demand</a></li> </ul> <h2 class="modal-menu__heading">Popular Topics</h2> <ul class="modal-menu__list modal-menu__list--popular-topics"> <li><a href="/category/kitchens">Kitchens</a></li> <li><a href="/category/business">Business</a></li> <li><a href="/category/bedrooms">Bedrooms</a></li> <li><a href="/category/roofs">Roofs</a></li> <li><a href="/category/architecture-and-design">Architecture and Design</a></li> <li><a href="/category/green-building">Green Building</a></li> <li><a href="/category/decks">Decks</a></li> <li><a href="/category/framing">Framing</a></li> <li><a href="/category/safety">Safety</a></li> <li><a href="/category/remodeling">Remodeling</a></li> <li><a href="/category/bathrooms">Bathrooms</a></li> <li><a href="/category/windows">Windows</a></li> <li><a href="/category/tilework">Tilework</a></li> <li><a href="/category/ceilings">Ceilings</a></li> <li><a href="/category/hvac">HVAC</a></li> </ul> </div>  <div class="modal-menu__content-wrap modal-menu__content-wrap--non-topics"> <h2 class="modal-menu__heading">Magazine</h2> <ul class="modal-menu__list modal-menu__list--magazine"> <li><a href="/issue/current">Current Issue</a></li> <li><a href="/magazine">Past Issues</a></li> <li><a href="/magazine-index">Magazine Index</a></li> <li><a href="https://subscribe.finehomebuilding.com/FHB_print?pk=W20094FS&returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.finehomebuilding.com%2F2024%2F05%2F24%2Fi-beam-to-the-rescue&ref=fhb-menu" data-subscribe="Main Menu Link">Subscribe</a></li> <li><a href="/onlinearchive">Online Archive</a></li> <li><a href="/author-guidelines">Author Guidelines</a></li> </ul> <h2 class="modal-menu__heading">All Access</h2> <ul class="modal-menu__list modal-menu__list--membership"> <li><a href="/members">Member Home</a></li> <li><a href="https://subscribe.finehomebuilding.com/FHB_trial?pk=W20120FS&returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.finehomebuilding.com%2F2024%2F05%2F24%2Fi-beam-to-the-rescue&ref=fhb-menu" data-freetrial="Main Menu Link">Start Free Trial</a></li> <li><a href="https://subscribe.finehomebuilding.com/FHB_giftmembership?pk=W20120FS&returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.finehomebuilding.com%2F2024%2F05%2F24%2Fi-beam-to-the-rescue&ref=fhb-gift-menu" data-freetrial-gift="Main Menu Link">Gift Membership</a></li> </ul> <h2 class="modal-menu__heading">Online Learning</h2> <ul class="modal-menu__list modal-menu__list--shop-the-store"> <li><a href="https://finehomebuilding.com/courses?ref=fhb-menu">Courses</a></li> <li><a href="/readerprojects">Reader Projects</a></li> <li><a href="/blog/fine-homebuilding-podcast">Podcast</a></li> </ul> <h2 class="modal-menu__heading">More</h2> <ul class="modal-menu__list modal-menu__list--more"> <li><a href="/ambassadors">FHB Ambassadors</a></li> <li><a href="/fhb-house">FHB House</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/faq" target="_blank">Customer Support</a></li> </ul> </div>  </div>  <div class="modal-menu__action-items modal-menu__featured-stories-parent--large"> <div class="modal-menu__connect"> <div class="modal-menu__list--account"> <h2 class="modal-menu__heading">Account</h2> <ul class="modal-menu__list"> <li><a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/user/login?return_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.finehomebuilding.com%2F2024%2F05%2F24%2Fi-beam-to-the-rescue" rel="nofollow">Log In</a></li> <li><a href="/memberships">Join</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="modal-menu__content-wrap modal-menu__content-wrap--outreach"> <div class="modal-newsletter"> <h2 class="modal-menu__heading">Newsletter</h2> <div class="modal-menu__form">  <div class="email_subscribe__copy"> <p class="message">Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox</p> </div> <div class="email_subscribe__form embed-submit"> <form class="email-subscribe-form" data-source="FHB_menu" data-placement="FHB_menu" data-email_sub_products="19|41|21" data-email_subscribe_nonce="4482f25e16" > <div class="formfield"> <input class="embed-submit__textfield" name="email" type="email" autocomplete="email" placeholder="Email Address" aria-label="Email Address" /> </div> <div> <button class="embed-submit__submit" type="submit">Go</button> <p class="loading-message">Signing you up...</p> </div> <div class="recaptchaDisclaimer"> This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google <a href="https://policies.google.com/privacy">Privacy Policy</a> and <a href="https://policies.google.com/terms">Terms of Service</a> apply. </div> <a class="email_subscribe__form_link eu-link" href="/pages/newsletter-signup?ref=EUsignup" target="_blank">See all newsletters</a> <div class="all-newsletters"> <a class="email_subscribe__form_link all-newsletters" href="/pages/newsletter-signup?ref=FHB_menu" target="_blank">See all newsletters</a> </div> </form> </div> </div> </div> <h2 class="modal-menu__heading">Follow</h2> <ul class="modal-menu__social-links"> <li data-social-network="Twitter" data-social-action="follow" data-social-target="mobile-menu"> <a class="item__link x" href="https://twitter.com/FHBMagazine" target="_blank"> <svg class="svg-social"> <use xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="#x"></use> </svg> <span class="sr-only">X</span> </a> </li> <li data-social-network="YouTube" data-social-action="follow" data-social-target="footer"> <a class="item__link youtube" href="https://www.youtube.com/user/finehomebuilding" target="_blank" aria-label="YouTube"> <svg class="svg-social"> <use xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="#youtube" /> </svg> <span class="sr-only">YouTube</span> </a> </li> <li data-social-network="Instagram" data-social-action="follow" data-social-target="mobile-menu"> <a class="item__link instagram" href="https://www.instagram.com/finehomebuilding/?hl=en" target="_blank"> <svg class="svg-social"> <use xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="#instagram"></use> </svg> <span class="sr-only">instagram</span> </a> </li> <li data-social-network="Facebook" data-social-action="follow" data-social-target="mobile-menu"> <a class="item__link facebook" href="https://www.facebook.com/FineHomebuildingMagazine" target="_blank"> <svg class="svg-social"> <use xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="#facebook"></use> </svg> <span class="sr-only">facebook</span> </a> </li> <li data-social-network="Pinterest" data-social-action="follow" data-social-target="mobile-menu"> <a class="item__link pinterest" href="https://www.pinterest.com/fhbmagazine/" target="_blank"> <svg class="svg-social"> <use xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="#pinterest"></use> </svg> <span class="sr-only">pinterest</span> </a> </li> <li data-social-network="Tiktok" data-social-action="follow" data-social-target="footer"> <a class="item__link tiktok" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@finehomebuilding" target="_blank" aria-label="Tiktok"> <svg class="svg-social"> <use xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="#tiktok" /> </svg> <span class="sr-only">Tiktok</span> </a> </li> </ul> </div>  <div class="modal-menu__content-wrap modal-menu__content-wrap--cta"> <div class="modal-menu__membership"> <h2 class="modal-menu__heading">Join All Access</h2> <p>Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.</p> <a class="modal-menu__membership__button" id="main-menu-freetrial-btn" href="https://subscribe.finehomebuilding.com/FHB_trial?pk=W20120FS&returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.finehomebuilding.com%2F2024%2F05%2F24%2Fi-beam-to-the-rescue&ref=fhb-menu-btn" data-freetrial="Main Menu">Start Your Free Trial</a> </div> <div class="modal-menu__subscribe"> <h2 class="modal-menu__heading">Subscribe</h2> <img class="modal-menu__subscribe__image" src="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/app/themes/finehomebuilding/dist/img/magazine-modal-subscribe.png" alt="FHB Magazine"> <div class="modal-menu__subscribe__copy"> <p>Start your subscription today and save up to 70%</p> <a class="modal-menu__subscribe__button" id="main-menu-subscribe-btn" href="https://subscribe.finehomebuilding.com/FHB_print?pk=W20094FS&returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.finehomebuilding.com%2F2024%2F05%2F24%2Fi-beam-to-the-rescue&ref=fhb-menu-sub" data-subscribe="Main Menu">Subscribe</a> </div> </div> </div> </div>  <div class="modal-menu__featured-stories"> <script type="text/template" id="modal-stories-template"> <h2 class="modal-menu__heading">Featured Stories</h2> <ul class="modal-menu__story-list"> <% _.each( items, function( item ){ %> <li> <a class="modal-menu__story-list__item" href="<%= item.link %>"> <% if (item.img) { %> <div class="modal-menu__story-list__image"> <img loading="lazy" alt="" src="<%= item.img %>" /> </div> <% } %> <span class="modal-menu__story-list__title title"><%= item.title %></span> </a> </li> <% }); %> </ul> </script>  </div>  </div>  <div class="modal-menu__featured-stories-parent--small"></div> </div>  </div>  </div>  </div>  <div class="article-gallery-modal" aria-hidden="true" aria-label="Supplemental image gallery for I-Beam to the Rescue" > <div class="article-gallery-modal__wrapper" data-a11y-dialog-hide></div> <div class="article-gallery-modal__content" role="document"> <div class="article-gallery-modal__top"> <button type="button" data-a11y-dialog-hide aria-label="Close dialog" class="article-gallery-modal__close" disabled> <svg class="svg-icon"> <use xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="#icon-modal-close"></use> </svg> </button> </div> <div class="article-gallery-modal__middle"> <div class="article-gallery-modal__body"></div> <template id="tmpl-article-gallery-modal-single"> <div class="article-gallery-modal__image"></div> <div class="article-gallery-modal__caption"> <div class="article-gallery-modal__text container"></div> </div> </template> </div> <div class="article-gallery-modal__bottom"> <button class="article-gallery-modal__toggle">Toggle Caption</button> <div class="embla__nav"> <button type="button" class="embla__button embla__button--prev"> <svg class="embla__control-icon"> <use xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="#icon-carousel-prev"></use> </svg> <span class="sr-only">Previous</span> </button> <button type="button" class="embla__button embla__button--next"> <svg class="embla__control-icon"> <use xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="#icon-carousel-next"></use> </svg> <span class="sr-only">Next</span> </button> </div> </div> </div> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(document).ready(function($) { $('#commentform').validate({ onfocusout: function(element) { this.element(element); }, rules: { comment: { required: true, minlength: 1, normalizer: function(value) { return $.trim(value); } } }, messages: { comment: "Please Fill Out this Field" }, errorElement: "div", errorPlacement: function(error, element) { element.before(error); } }); }); </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/wp/wp-includes/js/comment-reply.min.js?ver=6.6.2" id="comment-reply-js" async="async" data-wp-strategy="async"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/app/themes/finehomebuilding/javascript/temp/fhb_prebid_20240528.js?ver=6.6.2" id="prebid-js-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/app/plugins/taunton-wp-favorites/assets/js/favorites.js?ver=1.0.2" id="taunton-favorites-js"></script>   <script type="text/template" id="article-share-template"> <li data-social-network="Twitter" data-social-action="share" class="twitter"> <a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=<%= url %>&text=<%= title %>&via=FHBMagazine" target="_blank"> <svg class="svg-social"> <use xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="#x"></use> </svg> <span class="sr-only">X</span> </a> </li> <li data-social-network="Facebook" data-social-action="share" class="facebook"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=<%= url %>" target="_blank"> <svg class="svg-social"> <use xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="#facebook"></use> </svg> <span class="sr-only">facebook</span> </a> </li> <li data-social-network="Linkedin" data-social-action="share" class="linkedin"> <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=<%= url %>&title=<%= title %>" target="_blank"> <svg class="svg-social"> <use xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="#linkedin"></use> </svg> <span class="sr-only">linkedin</span> </a> </li> <li data-social-network="Pinterest" data-social-action="share" class="pinterest"> <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=<%= url %>&description=<%= title %>&media=<%= image %>" target="_blank" data-pin-do="buttonPin" data-pin-custom="true"> <svg class="svg-social"> <use xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="#pinterest"></use> </svg> <span class="sr-only">pinterest</span> </a> </li> <li data-social-network="Email" data-social-action="share" class="email"> <a href="mailto:?subject=<%= title %>&body=<%= url %>" target="_blank"> <svg class="svg-social"> <use xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="#email"></use> </svg> <span class="sr-only">email</span> </a> </li> <li class="item-favorite article__actions__social__list-item"> <span class="item__link favorite" data-favorite_saved="<%= FHB.user.favorite %>" data-auth_status="<%= FHB.user.authStatus %>" data-post_id="<%= FHB.page.contentID %>"> <a class="article__actions__social__favorite" href="#0" data-favorite_saved="<%= FHB.user.favorite %>" data-auth_status="<%= FHB.user.authStatus %>" data-post_id="<%= FHB.page.contentID %>"> <svg class="svg-social"> <use xlink:href="#bookmark" /> </svg> <span class="sr-only">add to favorites</span> </a> <span class="item-favorite__save item-favorite__action">Save to your <a href="/user/favorites">favorites</a></span> <span class="item-favorite__confirmation item-favorite__action">Saved to your <a href="/user/favorites">favorites</a></span> <span class="item-favorite__loggedout item-favorite__action"><a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/user/login?return_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.finehomebuilding.com%2F2024%2F05%2F24%2Fi-beam-to-the-rescue" rel="nofollow">Log in</a> or <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/user/login?return_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.finehomebuilding.com%2F2024%2F05%2F24%2Fi-beam-to-the-rescue">Sign up</a> to save your favorite articles</span> </span> </li> </script>   <script type="text/template" id="content-browser-template"> <p class="content-browser__results__empty">No results found.</p> <div class="content-browser__results" role="tabpanel" id="panel-browse" aria-labelledby="tab-<%= keyword %>"> <% _.each( items, function( item ){ %> <div class="content-browser__results__block"> <h3> <a href="<%= item.link %>"> <% if (item.img) { %> <div class="image"> <% if (item.img && item.img_meta) { %> <img alt="" loading="lazy" src="<%= item.img %>" width="<%- item.img_meta.width %>" height="<%- item.img_meta.height %>" /> <% } else { %> <img alt="" loading="lazy" src="<%= item.img %>" /> <% } %> </div> <% } %> <% if (item.premium) { %> <span class="non-member__tag"></span> <% } %> <% if (item.sponsored) { %> <span class="sponsored-post-label">Sponsored Content</span> <% } %> <span class="title"><%= item.title %></span> </a> </h3> <p class="teaser"><%= item.summary %></p> </div> <% }); %> </div> <div class="content-browser__results__pagination"> <% if ( typeof pagination !== "undefined" ) { %> <%= pagination %> <% } %> </div> </script>  <script type="text/template" id="ajax-pagination"> <div class="ajax-pagination__wrap"> <div class="ajax-pagination"> <% if( typeof items.total_pages !== 'undefined' && items.total_pages !== 0 ) { %> <span class="ajax-pagination__count"><%= items.current_page %> of <%= items.total_pages %></span> <span class="ajax-pagination__page"> <% if( items.current_page !== 1 ) { %> <a href="<%= items.previous_page %>" class="ajax-pagination__previous">Previous</a> <% } else { %> <a class="ajax-pagination__previous isDisabled">Previous</a> <% } %> </span> <span class="ajax-pagination__page"> <% if( items.current_page < items.total_pages ) { %> <a href="<%= items.next_page %>" class="ajax-pagination__next gba-btn--pagination">Next</a> <% } else { %> <a class="ajax-pagination__next isDisabled">Next</a> <% } %> </span> <% } %> </div> </div> </script> <script type="text/template" id="forum-empty-results"> <div class="community__tab-content"> <div class="community__no-results"> <p><strong>No results found.</strong></p> <p>Try again by refreshing the page or return to the <a class="community__no-results__link" href="/discussion-forum">forum main page</a></p> </div> </div> </script> <script type="text/template" id="forum-results-error"> <div class="community__tab-content"> <div class="community__error-message"> <p class="community__error-message__text"><strong>Sorry, we’ve encountered an error.</strong></p> <p>Try again by refreshing the page or return to the <a class="community__no-results__link" href="/discussion-forum">forum main page</a></p> </div> </div> </script> <script type="text/template" id="recent-qa"> <ul class="module--activity-list"> <% _.each( items, function( item ){ %> <li class="module--activity-list__item"> <a class="image"> <% if (typeof item.author_avatar !== 'undefined') { %> <img class="avatar user-avatar" src="<%= item.author_avatar %>" alt="User avatar"> <% } %> </a> <div class="copy"> <span class="module--activity-list__item__title"> <a href="<%= item.link %>"><%= item.title %></a> </span> <div class="module--activity-list__item__meta"> <span class="reply-count"> <a href="<%= item.link %>"><% if (item.reply_count == 1) { %>1 Reply<% } else { %><%= item.reply_count %> Replies<% } %></a> </span> | <time datetime="<%= item.last_update %>"> <%= item.last_update %> </time> </div> </div> </li> <% }); %> </ul> </script>  <script type="text/template" id="qa-list"> <div class="community__tab-content"> <% _.each( items.data, function( item ){ %> <article class="community__post"> <ul class="community__columns"> <li class="community__column--title"> <div class="community__member-image"> <% if (typeof item.author_avatar !== 'undefined') { %> <img class="avatar user-avatar" src="<%= item.author_avatar %>" alt="User avatar"> <% } %> </div> <h2 class="community__title"> <a href="<%= item.link %>"><%= item.title %></a> </h2> </li> <li class="community__column--category"> <a href="<%= item.category_link %>"><%= item.category %></a> </li> <li class="community__column--replies"> <% if (item.reply_count == 1) { %> 1 Reply <% } else { %> <%= item.reply_count %> Replies <% } %> </li> <li class="community__column--date"> <time datetime="<%= item.last_update %>"> <%= item.last_update %> </time> </li> </ul> </article> <% }); %> </div> </script> <script type="text/template" id="project-guide-main-sections"> <% _.each( sections, function( section ){ %> <div class="guide-main__section__articles"> <header> <h3 class="guide-main__section__hed"> <%= section.title %> </h3> </header> <div class="guide-main__articles"> <% _.each( section.articles, function( item, index ){ %> <% if (index === 4) { %> <div class="guide-main__articles__more is-collapsed"> <% } %> <article class="guide-main__article"> <a class="guide-main__article__link" href="<%- item.link %>"> <div class="guide-main__article__image <%- (item.isVideo ? 'video-overlay' : '') %>"> <% if (item.img && item.img_meta) { %> <img alt="" src="<%= item.img %>" width="<%- item.img_meta.width %>" height="<%- item.img_meta.height %>" /> <% } else { %> <img src="<%= item.img %>" alt="" /> <% } %> </div> <h4 class="guide-main__article__hed"> <%= item.title %> </h4> <p class="guide-main__article__text"> <%= item.excerpt %> </p> </a> </article> <% if (index === section.articles.length - 1 && section.articles.length >= 4) { %> </div> <% } %> <% }); %> <% if (section.articles.length > 4) { %> <div class="guide-main__article__more"> <a class="guide-main__article__more-link" href="#"> Show More <svg class="svg-icon"> <use xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="#icon-arrow-down"></use> </svg> </a> </div> <% } %> </div> </div> <% }); %> </script> <script type="text/template" id="project-guide-chapter-contents"> <% _.each( sections, function( section ){ %> <li class="article--guide__toc__section"> <h5 class="article--guide__toc__section__hed"> <a class="article--guide__toc__articles__trigger" href="#"> <%= section.title %> </a> </h5> <ul class="article--guide__toc__articles"> <% _.each( section.articles, function( item ){ %> <% if ( typeof FHB.page.contentID !== 'undefined' && parseInt(item.id, 10) === parseInt(FHB.page.contentID, 10) ) { %> <li class="article--guide__toc__article is-current"> <% } else { %> <li class="article--guide__toc__article"> <% } %> <h6 class="article--guide__toc__article__hed"> <% if ( typeof FHB.page.contentID !== 'undefined' && parseInt(item.id, 10) === parseInt(FHB.page.contentID, 10) ) { %> <span class="article--guide__toc__article--current"> <%= item.title %> </span> <% } else { %> <a class="article--guide__toc__article__link" href="<%- item.link %>"> <%= item.title %> </a> <% } %> </h6> </li> <% }); %> </ul> </li> <% }); %> </script> <script type="text/template" id="project-guide-main-sections-error"> <div class="guide-main__error"> <div class="guide-main__error-message"> <p class="guide-main__error-message__text"><strong>Sorry, we’ve encountered an error.</strong></p> <p>Please wait a moment and try again by refreshing the page.</p> </div> </div> </script> <script type="text/template" id="project-guide-main-search"> <% if (!items.data.length) { %> <p class="guide-main__search-results--empty">No results found.</p> <% } %> <ul class="guide-main__search-results"> <% _.each( items.data, function( item ){ %> <li class="guide-main__search-result"> <a href="<%- item.link %>"> <div class="guide-main__search-image image"> <% if (item.img) { %> <img src="<%- item.img %>" alt="" /> <% } %> </div> <div class="guide-main__search-text"> <% if (item.sponsored) { %> <span class="sponsored-post-label">Sponsored Content</span> <% } %> <span class="title"><%= item.title %></span> <p class="teaser"><%= item.summary %></p> </div> </a> </li> <% }); %> </ul> <% if ( items.current_page && items.next_page && ( items.current_page < items.next_page ) ) { %> <% } %> </script> <div class="dfp-ad interstitial-ad click-close" data-dfp-id="dfp-interstitial"><div class="inner container"><div id="dfp-interstitial"></div></div></div>  <div id="siteskin-wrap"> <div id="siteskin-container"> <div class="dfp-ad skin-ad" data-dfp-id="dfp-skin"><div class="inner container"><div id="dfp-skin"></div></div></div> </div> </div> <script type="text/template" id="paywall-meter-bar" data-user_notification=""> <div class="inner"> <button class="meter-bar-toggle" aria-controls="meter-bar" aria-label="Collapse" aria-expanded="true"><svg height="20" viewBox="0 0 30 20" width="30" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="m3.525.7375 11.475 11.45 11.475-11.45 3.525 3.525-15 15-15-15z" fill="#ffffff"/></svg></button> <h4 class="meter-bar-hed" id="meter-bar-hed"><%= data.hed %></h4> <p class="meter-bar-dek" id="meter-bar-dek"><%= data.dek %></p> <p class="meter-bar-short-dek"><%= data.shortDek %></p> <div class="meter-bar-bottom"> <p class="meter-bar-subscribe"><a href="https://subscribe.finehomebuilding.com/FHB_trial?pk=W20120FS&returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.finehomebuilding.com%2F2024%2F05%2F24%2Fi-beam-to-the-rescue&ref=fhb-meter-view-<%- data.count %>" class="button" data-freetrial="Meter View-<%- data.count %>">Start your FREE trial</a></p> <p class="meter-bar-login">Already a member? <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/user/login?return_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.finehomebuilding.com%2F2024%2F05%2F24%2Fi-beam-to-the-rescue" rel="nofollow">Log in</a></p> </div> </div> </script> <script type="text/template" id="footer-promo-bar"> <div class="inner"> <p class="meter-bar-short-dek"> <%= data.shortDek %> <a href="https://subscribe.finehomebuilding.com/FHB_trial?pk=W20120FS&returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.finehomebuilding.com%2F2024%2F05%2F24%2Fi-beam-to-the-rescue&ref=fhb-exempt-gate" class="button" data-freetrial="Exempt View">Join Now</a> </p> <p class="meter-bar-login"> Already a member? <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/user/login?return_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.finehomebuilding.com%2F2024%2F05%2F24%2Fi-beam-to-the-rescue" rel="nofollow">Log in</a> </p> </div> </script> <div class="meter-bar meter-bar-expanded " id="meter-bar"></div> <div class="paywall-bar"> <div class="inner"> <h4 class="paywall-bar-hed">We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.</h4> <p class="paywall-bar-dek">Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.</p> <div class="meter-bar-bottom"> <p class="paywall-bar-subscribe"><a href="https://subscribe.finehomebuilding.com/FHB_trial?pk=W20120FS&returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.finehomebuilding.com%2F2024%2F05%2F24%2Fi-beam-to-the-rescue&ref=fhb-meter-paywall" class="button" data-freetrial="Meter Paywall">Start your FREE trial</a></p> <p class="paywall-bar-login">Already a member? <a href="https://www.finehomebuilding.com/user/login?return_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.finehomebuilding.com%2F2024%2F05%2F24%2Fi-beam-to-the-rescue" rel="nofollow" >Log in</a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="paywall-overlay" style="display:none;"></div>  </body> </html>