Load-Bearing Support Beam Ideas

Some load-bearing beam ideas involve making the house support beam less noticeable using paint or drywall.

Painting the ceiling beam to match the ceiling can blend the beam into the room’s overall design, drawing attention away from it. After removing a wall, apply a fresh coat of paint to give the room a clean, updated look.

Consider using drywall to blend the beam with the ceiling even more. Follow these steps for boxing in a beam with drywall.

• Measure and cut pieces of drywall to match the three exposed sides of the beam. Depending on the length of the beam, you may need to cut multiple pieces for each side.
• Attach the drywall pieces to the beam using drywall screws.
• Apply drywall tape to the inside corners where the beam meets the ceiling.
• Apply joint compound to the inside and outside corners to finish the beam.
• Paint the beam to complement or contrast with the rest of the ceiling.

If you want the beam to stand out from a ceiling, wrap the beam in lumber, trim or flooring material. Choose a paint, stain or flooring design to complement the room’s design.

Pro Tip: Load-bearing beams are usually wood, but steel beams provide additional strength and support over long spans. Steel beams can enhance a room that has a modern, industrial design.

Distressing a wooden house support beam or column enhances a room with a rustic appearance.

• Distress the beam before installing it in the ceiling.
• Begin distressing the beam by mechanically aging the wood. Strike the beam with a hammer, using both the face and claw end. Create marks on both the flat surface of the beam and the corners.
• Use a chisel and rubber mallet to remove thin slices from the sides and corners. Use an awl or a long, metal screw to carve small grooves into the wood.
• Drill small, shallow holes with a 1/16-inch drill bit.
• Scrub the surface with a wire brush and sand with a sanding sponge. Smooth all sharp edges.
• Stain or finish the beam to provide the desired appearance.

Pro Tip: Repurpose wooden beams from old barns or homes as decorative, non-bearing support to make a rustic design more authentic.

Help the support beam blend into a room by adding some extra, decorative beams. Faux beams are made of such materials as lightweight, high-density polyurethane and resemble standard house support beams, but do not carry structural weight.

Place multiple faux beams parallel to the support beam. Paint or stain them to match to create the appearance of an exposed beam ceiling. You can also choose a paint or stain color that matches the room’s interior design.

Create a coffered ceiling by placing the faux beams perpendicular to the load bearing beam and making a grid pattern. Make the faux beams the same dimension as the load-bearing beam by covering them with fiberboard as needed. Finish with molding and paint for the elegant look.

Pro Tip: Leave adequate headroom when designing with ceiling beams. Some building codes require a 7-foot 6-inch minimum distance above the floor.

After tearing down a bearing wall, you may need to reinforce some horizontal load-bearing beams with vertical support columns. Load-bearing columns may obstruct an open floor plan, but they also offer design opportunities for decoration, entertaining and storage.

• Decorate the columns with paint, wallpaper or carved wood.
• Apply molding, tile, mirrors, wood paneling or material such as rope to the column surface.
• Use the column as an anchor for a kitchen island or counter. Connect two columns to create a bar and add barstools.
• Arrange seating around the column base.
• Cover a larger column in brick, stone or other masonry material.
• Connect two columns with shelving for display or storage.
• Use the column to creatively display artwork or plants.

To size a beam for a load-bearing wall, review span tables or wood beam calculators. Consulting with a structural engineer can be the best way to determine the support beam’s strength requirements.

Installation costs for house support beams vary based on the material. Here are cost ranges of support beams per linear foot, not counting installation costs.

• Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL): $3-$12
• Wood: $5-$35
• Steel: $6-$24

The cost to install a steel beam ranges from $1,150 to $4,600, including materials. Determine pricing based on such factors as the size of the beam, the costs to finish the ceiling after installation and whether additional support columns are needed.

Review How to Remove a Load-Bearing Wall for the steps to install a load-bearing beam.

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