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Unfinished Carpentry questions, answered by experts

Joists do distribute their load to beams, but they don’t sit on top of the beams. Instead, home builders nail or screw the joists directly to the beams such that the end of the joist butts up against the edge of the beam. Beams can sit on other beams for support, but you’ll never see a joist sitting on top of a beam or another joist.

By careful planning and reinforcement to maintain structural integrity.

Not all porch columns are load-bearing, though they can be. Some porch columns are simply decorative. There are ways to identify a load-bearing column, like looking for visible seams and a foundation. Also, check to see if the column directly enters the ground. In some porch installations, a contractor will excavate a hole to install a column into the earth along with a buried cement base for stability.

A few signs that you need a new door frame include:

  • The door no longer fits properly in its frame and sticks or scrapes.

  • You notice cracks, holes, or rotting.

  • You feel a draft coming from around the door when it’s closed.

  • You find yourself frequently needing to make repairs.

It’s sometimes safe to replace a load-bearing wall with a beam, but you need a structural engineer to sign off on the project. You’ll also likely have to upgrade to a steel I-beam or another material that’s stronger than wood to maintain the level of support you need without the wall underneath.

The Ottertail, MN homeowners’ guide to contractor services

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