Q. Can you tell me a few things about the wood beam I uncovered while doing a plumbing repair? How is it possible for this beam to carry the load of everything above it? I'm worried it might not be ...

DEAR TIM: I’m getting ready to build a large room addition that needs a beam to support the floor joists. I’ve been told that a wood beam will work, but I’ve always seen steel I-beams in other houses.

Welcome back to the "Behold the Beam" series of articles. In part three (Firehouse®, September 2010) of the series, we discussed the first five of the 13 common types of beams that firefighters can ...

The Structural Wood Design Calculator is for the iPhone or iPod Touch. It is a tool for engineers, architects, and builders, as well as students to design wood beams for strength in bending, shear, ...

Building a home from the ground up means you have a blank slate to infuse with character —whether by way of art, furniture, or finishes. If you’re looking to give your home a historic feel with a ...

Q: My house plan calls for steel beams that will support the floor joists and even parts of a brick wall. Can I substitute wood beams for steel? Is a steel I-beam hard to handle on the job site? Do ...

This is a great tool for engineers, architects, and builders to design wood beams for strength in bending, shear, deflection, and bearing. Beam design is calculated by inputting a few design ...