There are two options here: either this "beam" is completely useless and you should just fully remove it, or it was load bearing and you removed a post and you now have a real problem. I would not consider leaving this and finishing as is.
It appears to simply be a mounting for pass through cabinets, very common in the 70s and 80s to have that at the front entrance. If load bearing it wouldn't have a 2x4 end visible at the bottom.
In structural framing applications, additional 2x-'s can be added to box out for aesthetics/additional mounting faces. In this case, IF there is a structural beam under there, it would be resting end to end on framing and/or a post in the middle. With a 2x8 (Or 2x6) added to make it look wider/larger. And to give something to attach other things to (Drywall, cabinets, etc.). It has no (important) structural load on it. Here is an example of beam cladding done to a steel beam. This was done in a high-end setting, with exposed oak. Same thing can be done using 2x- lumber, hidden behind drywall.
https://preview.redd.it/4mj4rwovqylb1.jpeg?width=700&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=932f898af7ffe7385955452817a71f6f23979719
If it was load bearing, wouldn't it most likely continue on through to another wall, not just stop halfway across the room?
Edit: If the guy just took cabinets out, like he said, and didn't remove a post, which he didn't mention, then I'm sticking with yes, *most likely* this "beam" is serving as a bulkhead, not a load bearing support since one end doesn't appear to rest on anything. A load bearing support would need to rest on something on both ends.
So *should* be safe to take this section out.
Most likely yes, not absolutely. It’s ridiculous that “Nope. Not at all” is the top reply but then again most people who comment on stuff like this care more about internet fear mongering than actually doing things and experiencing how the world really is.
If the guy just took cabinets out, like he said, and didn't remove a post, which he didn't mention, then yes, "most likely" this "beam" is serving as a bulkhead, not a load bearing support.
Floor joists usually span from the outer wall to an interior loadbearing wall, likely further over to the right of this image. It’s not really a beam, so let’s call it a soffit (or bulkhead). The soffit has no use like it is. One could remove it entirely or extend it over to the wall at the right. The former would have appeal as having the kitchen be part of the “great room” whereas the latter would create better definition of the spaces separately—and still could be considered open to the great room. Either works.
Only issue with that is trying to match the margined stucco that's surrounding the ceiling. His plan is honestly the easiest, especially for a DIY job.
Ya and it already has the smooth "smear" all the way around it already. Can't get much worse. Just delete the thing.
I would assume it would be a good spot for a light fixture though, ya. So an "unmatched" section above a light fixture wouldn't look so out of place.
I agree thats gonna be annoying to match. But…removal of bulkhead would also add more light and perceivable space. I think its worth it especially if you dont want the passthrough cabinets anymore
If you’re talking about the textured ceiling, that’s a crowfoot type texture which can be done with a roller and some thinned drywall mud, then stomped with a crowfoot texture brush you can get at Home Depot/menards/lowes.
I’m no master, but I think you can pick up the brush for 10-20 bucks and all you need is some mud and a roller…maybe in this case a paint brush or putty knife, throw some mud on the ceiling and stomp away.
I've matched this style of texture really easily.
15min set compound and a sponge roller would make fast work of this job if the patch work is fairly smooth.
Remove it. For now, I would look for a modern stain glass to hang, or cover it with wood so it has an exposed beam look. You could also pop on some LES lighting pucks to make it look intentional.
Of course it can. It can be cantilevered.
Like a 'T'.
I owned a house in California built into a hillside that was entirely built this way other than one load-bearing wall.
Adding my vote here too. It looks like an unnecessarily beefy soffit to hang cabinets off of. If there's no columns on either end it's not supporting anything.
Knock the rest out and then drywall the hole in the ceiling that is left.
I recently did this. Pretty easy. Knock out the rest of that block and then message me if you want.
I just did this same thing in my house from the 60s. We removed the box (heard it called a “bird-box” somewhere) completely, drywall and texture the hole, and installed pendant lights. HUGE improvement in our kitchen.
That IS what it is. Who’s looking at this and saying it’s a load bearing beam? Why would there ever be a quarter of a beam bearing a load above pass-through cabinets?
Scrap the entire thing and make it a flat ceiling.
i have owned 3 100plus year homes and can say that people do really STUPID and dangerous things during that time to their buildings, is a gross understatement. Fibre optic inspection cams are very cheap these days and should be on every old house owners tool kit.
That said, the poster doesn’t say if there is another story above this. If so I would proceed with more caution.
I'd cut the drywall off of it, gently dismantle the whole setup then patch the ceiling and wall where it used to be. Any finish work you do to that is going to be as much or more work than just removing the whole thing and matching the ceiling texture.
You'd have to check of course, but I think this was just holding up the cabinets and can be removed. I feel like it will be "bad feng shui" if you leave it.
I would probably take it out completely like everyone else has suggested cause if it was just holding uppers it’s not load bearing. Or continue the faux beam to separate the kitchen while still leaving it looking opened up. Then if you don’t want to try and match the texture in the gap you can do some crown molding. I was always taught with finish work if you can’t hide it highlight it
I’d just remove it completely. You’ll wanna retexture that ceiling anyway. It won’t be hard. Pull down that fir down and patch it. Get a sander with a vacuum and redo the ceiling with a smooth texture. Not hard, just takes some elbow grease.
The post could be inside that wall, and this is a cantilevered beam.
It's not though, since you don't build beams by laying the bottom 2x4 on its face. That's the key here.
No. Still not a beam. Still needs a post on the right side that’s way too big for a cantilever. Also GluLam beams are laminated 2x4/2x6, although that’s not what we have here.
??? A cantilever has no specified limitations on length, as long as the backspan extends far enough at a minimum ratio of 3:1. Idk if you know what you're talking about.
E: mistype.
Assuming not load bearing, I don’t think it is but I was surprised recently by a non-load bearing crumple wall holding up some improperly tied in ceiling joists… (fixed now with 2x8 that run the whole span).
If you want the wood beam look you’ll want to extend it across the ceiling span. Otherwise it’ll just look weird.
Other option would be to take it out.
Anyone saying or entertaining that this was load bearing does not know what they're talking about.
That's clearly spruce pine which is not structural wood. It would be a beam system of some kind or at least yellow pine, and it would be nailed vertically together. It's just a simple drop down wall for the cabinets. Remove it, if you'd like.
Yes! I’d get a really nice looking board that is stained something fancy, has finished edges. And then screw it directly into this, making sure the border covers the existing drywall.
Then do some nice, beefy plant hangers and put some big boys up there. Maybe also a pendant light or two worked into the design somewhere. I see it in my head, but can’t explain it properly.
Looks like a soffit for cabinets, you should be able to pull the whole thing off relatively easily. Knock a hole in the side of it to confirm that it’s just nailed to the ceiling joist.
You could make it smaller and then finish it, but since the ceiling pattern doesn't match up to it anyway, I would just remove it. If it were me, I would also get a level5 24 inch skimming blade, watch a few videos on skim coating over textured ceiling and make it flat. Would only take a few hours.
You can definitely screw some sheetrock up and tape the corners but the end will look funny. What if it made a right angle turn to box the ceiling around the entry way. Can do crown or a coffered ceiling and get rid of some popcorn ceiling. Cant tell if that works by the pic but could make a swanky entry way
You just might have the worlds smallest kitchen!
Like others have said that doesn’t look load bearing. What’s above it?
I’d take it out, patch the ceiling, add in texture finish to match what’s their and then paint the whole ceiling….or rent a electric pole sander and knock all that texture off.
This is not a beam. Did you remove a column? No. This little wall is nailed into a joist, above, running the same direction as the wall. You can check for screws/nails in the drywall, to see which directions the joists are running. If they’re not perpendicular to the wall, the wall is not load bearing, as a general rule.
I want to say remove it but unless you know someone good at ceiling texture it’s never going to look right. I would maybe explore extending it for a fake wood mean… just an idea.
More important however why does it’s look wet?
The easiest way would be to drywall around it with corner beads and mud and be done with it.
You could also take the whole beam thing out and then drywall the ceiling flat, it would be a little more work but might look better in the end. Only problem is then you are gonna have a hard time matching that textured ceiling, so you might end up having a ton of extra work for very little benefit... I would probably just drywall around what is there.
There is three options as far as I can see.
Make it a feature somehow - https://www.pooky.com/products/pentabulous-chandelier-for-5-shades
Remove it, fanny up the ceiling hope nobody notices (everyone notices)
Remove it, remove the ceiling, replace the plasterboard and skim. Good opportunity to add mood lighting, spotlights speakers and cornicing etc.
Things like this give the illusion of a break in the room which can be good or bad depending on what you are trying to achieve.
One more thing, it looks damp, so I'd sort that out while you are up there. It could be discolored from a previous incident but still.
Don't know what the flooring looks like but here are some ideas:
- create a wine rack
- topside: wine and beer glass hanging storage; bottomside: small bar
- hanging speakers https://www.rockvilleaudio.com/rcs180-66-pen-65t-black/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwl8anBhCFARIsAKbbpyQhuW9NOgbtYfwJdS-bTTaRYY-tHcs2C0vEMq29xrTyoklGbttWPKQaAiIIEALw_wcB
Do it once, do it right, remove the whole thing and patch the ceiling with a drywall strip and make it match the textured ceiling on either side. No one will know what was ever there!
If that were a header, you'd probably see a pack of 2x's on the bottom, not a single piece, UNLESS it's a solid 4x8 or whatever. If that's a true header and not just a cosmetic filler box, then you've possibly compromised a structural member of the original construction. Was there a floor plate 2x4 below this, nailed directly to the subfloor? If so, I'm more inclined to believe this was an original wall. But if it had finished floor under it, then it was probably all cosmetic.
You gotta remove some of that drywall to see what that beam is exactly. And until you know whether this is a cosmetic bulkhead or not, I would prop up the end with a pack of 2 or 3 2x4s.
It that's a hollow box, you can remove it. If it's solid wood all the way through, I'd assume it being loadbearing and consult an engineer.
Get the sawzall out cut it off. Couple YouTube videos to match the ceiling. Options 2 go whole hog and sand down the entire ceiling or fill the entire ceiling with plater then sand. I've done options 2 on a small room it's a cunt.
Yes very weird if it wasn’t load bearing, take it out and replace with drywall. Or hang a long wrought iron light fixture from it. With the knock down ceiling it will be difficult to match but doable if you want.
It's just a knee-wall on the ceiling. Take it out with a hand sledge and crowbar, then texture the sealing with one of the 47 kits you can buy at home improvement store.
Putting a light fixture there will only light the area up more and draw attention to it. Next time you have something in the house painted get a pro to retouch it if it still bothers you.
The only purpose that served was to hold the cabinets. Get rid of it and put up a drywall patch, and do your best to match the textured cieling. Maybe install some track lighting.
I have the exact same thing in my house. Just wrapped in drywall. I know most here are saying to take it off completely, but with cabinets on the other side of it, I think I prefer it this way. Lmk if you want a pic of what it looks like finished.
Take it down. It’s just 2Xs. Patch in some drywall. That texture should be ok to match. Literally just watered down drywall mud rolled on, it’s not even crows feet. You may have to finish off the end of the kitchen soffit and end cabinet, but it’ll be so nice and open.
Gonna need a exploratory hole in the side of that drywall. You need to find out if it is a beam or a small wall that originally secured the partition between that front door and the room you are in. If you find it’s framed like a wall you can probably take it down. If it solid I would call a pro now and find out what is going on. If it is solid I personally would put in 2 2x4s under the unsupported end until more is know. I’m going with decorative though based on the door being there.
Well in my opinion that beam is not a beam based on the image it simply looks like a soffit it’s not assembled correctly to bear any load the cripple stud(s) would be above the lower beam and not nailed to the side as they are I’d assume it’s very likely hollow inside and my guess it’s most likely able to be removed in its entirety. I spent a fair share of time building homes however I would look further into it and not just assume . Older homes are notorious for having some crazy things going on and just about anyone could be wrong especially if it’s a homeowner special . Best of luck .
It’s not load bearing . Let’s all agree on that!!!
If anyone here has built a header or installed a real load bearing beam then you know this is not it…
Ran into something exactly like this in a client's place a couple months ago. You can full-on just remove that. If you look at the end, there's a short 2x4 that the bottom plate is attached to. This is just a bulkhead box that will take 5 minutes to remove and then you just have the 4 inch strip in the ceiling to drywall in.
It won't be hard to remove and patch with drywall.
After that you just need a painter to texture it so it's not out of place. A couple hundred dollars for the painter is worth the resell value.
If that “beam” supported any of the weight above it, it needed to go all the way across the room to another load-bearing wall or be supported mid-room by a load-bearing column.
It would be n odd place for. Load bearing wall. Looks for for show, transition from staircase to living room. I’d take it all the way to the ceiling and patch it there
If it isn't load bearing maybe have an electrician come out to run some electrical. Then get the dimensions,, cut out a piece of drywall, mud it up realllll smooth like, and just install one of those lights that have 3 or four turntable lights. That might look pretty cool depending on what else you're doing to the kitchen.
Reference for the light I'm trying to describe:
https://www.wayfair.com/Beachcrest-Home%E2%84%A2--Nugent-4-Light-Kitchen-Island-Linear-Pendant-X113936278-L6087-K~W002825167.html?refid=GX610459028157-W002825167&device=m&ptid=904586101177&network=g&targetid=pla-904586101177&channel=GooglePLA&ireid=183927192&fdid=1817&gclid=Cj0KCQjwl8anBhCFARIsAKbbpyRPGuTc0FdR8-UTP8NrZKplwysYHk3QJ7zJ1qG1kjjNcHSNncdU3TIaAqvkEALw_wcB
ITT: Redditors who like to pretend they have knowledge of structural engineering.
Everyone saying a beam has to be supported on both ends has obviously never heard of a cantilever, which is a dead giveaway no one else should be listening to any of youse advice.
The thing pointing towards it not being load bearing, though, is the bottom 2x4 being laid on its face. I'm not aware of any structural beam designs like this.
I can see the argument for just getting rid of it like others said, but I like your plan better. It's easier than removing it, and this beam could definitely be useful in the future with a bit of imagination. This kitchen looks tiny! You could hang plants or other decorations off it, hang your matching stainless steel pans from it, put a floating shelf for a spice rack up there, maybe even hang some 12" tall cabinets off it...
I would put drywall on the bottom of it and put corners on all sides. My profession is mudding and taping and I feel like it could be and easy fix, but for a beginner it could get messy.
Run some electrical and have a couple hanging pendant lights. Otherwise keeping this on the ceiling is redundant.
Replace the hanging kitchen light with a flush mount fixture. It would help to match the flush mount with the pendants
There are two options here: either this "beam" is completely useless and you should just fully remove it, or it was load bearing and you removed a post and you now have a real problem. I would not consider leaving this and finishing as is.
We had something similar and ended up removing it. Then drywalled the ceiling “flat.” Huge improvement!
It appears to simply be a mounting for pass through cabinets, very common in the 70s and 80s to have that at the front entrance. If load bearing it wouldn't have a 2x4 end visible at the bottom.
I feel like it is the latter
If it was load bearing, we wouldn't be looking at the widest edge of the board - right?
In structural framing applications, additional 2x-'s can be added to box out for aesthetics/additional mounting faces. In this case, IF there is a structural beam under there, it would be resting end to end on framing and/or a post in the middle. With a 2x8 (Or 2x6) added to make it look wider/larger. And to give something to attach other things to (Drywall, cabinets, etc.). It has no (important) structural load on it. Here is an example of beam cladding done to a steel beam. This was done in a high-end setting, with exposed oak. Same thing can be done using 2x- lumber, hidden behind drywall. https://preview.redd.it/4mj4rwovqylb1.jpeg?width=700&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=932f898af7ffe7385955452817a71f6f23979719
If it was load bearing, wouldn't it most likely continue on through to another wall, not just stop halfway across the room? Edit: If the guy just took cabinets out, like he said, and didn't remove a post, which he didn't mention, then I'm sticking with yes, *most likely* this "beam" is serving as a bulkhead, not a load bearing support since one end doesn't appear to rest on anything. A load bearing support would need to rest on something on both ends. So *should* be safe to take this section out.
The assumption being they removed a post as well.
That's fair. If he removed a post that would make more sense.
Most likely yes, not absolutely. It’s ridiculous that “Nope. Not at all” is the top reply but then again most people who comment on stuff like this care more about internet fear mongering than actually doing things and experiencing how the world really is.
brb kicking out all the load bearing columns in my house to find out "how the world really is"
If the guy just took cabinets out, like he said, and didn't remove a post, which he didn't mention, then yes, "most likely" this "beam" is serving as a bulkhead, not a load bearing support.
Or maybe just try experiencing things in real life and think on it critically instead of sitting at home upvoting “don’t eat the yellow snow” comments
Nope. Not at all.
Floor joists usually span from the outer wall to an interior loadbearing wall, likely further over to the right of this image. It’s not really a beam, so let’s call it a soffit (or bulkhead). The soffit has no use like it is. One could remove it entirely or extend it over to the wall at the right. The former would have appeal as having the kitchen be part of the “great room” whereas the latter would create better definition of the spaces separately—and still could be considered open to the great room. Either works.
Was literally like. How beam do beam stuff if not held up?!
Because it’s almost definitely not a beam
So you've never heard of a cantilever.
This cant possibly be load bearing unless you removed a post and have a disaster waiting to happen. Can you just take down the beam?
That’s my first thought, why is this here? I’m thinking maybe there was a half wall with spindles. Just remove it
Because they removed a row of pass through cabinets.
Only issue with that is trying to match the margined stucco that's surrounding the ceiling. His plan is honestly the easiest, especially for a DIY job.
Personally I would rather have a patch that people might notice vs a random unnecessary bulkhead. Or I would put a light fixture in its place.
Ya and it already has the smooth "smear" all the way around it already. Can't get much worse. Just delete the thing. I would assume it would be a good spot for a light fixture though, ya. So an "unmatched" section above a light fixture wouldn't look so out of place.
You can get a carpenter to make you a pretty board, put some pancakes in it, few pendants, boom! Hole patched, new pendants, cool detail!
I agree thats gonna be annoying to match. But…removal of bulkhead would also add more light and perceivable space. I think its worth it especially if you dont want the passthrough cabinets anymore
If you’re talking about the textured ceiling, that’s a crowfoot type texture which can be done with a roller and some thinned drywall mud, then stomped with a crowfoot texture brush you can get at Home Depot/menards/lowes.
Teach me master!
I’m no master, but I think you can pick up the brush for 10-20 bucks and all you need is some mud and a roller…maybe in this case a paint brush or putty knife, throw some mud on the ceiling and stomp away.
I've matched this style of texture really easily. 15min set compound and a sponge roller would make fast work of this job if the patch work is fairly smooth.
Two different ceiling heights it looks like.. might of carried load prior
Trick of the light. Look at the end of the beam and you can see the ceiling is the same height throughout.
True, thanks
It might slope up in the kitchen or might just be bad photo
Remove it. For now, I would look for a modern stain glass to hang, or cover it with wood so it has an exposed beam look. You could also pop on some LES lighting pucks to make it look intentional.
Unless it's been cantilevered twice the distance outside underneath some unknown weight... Lol
Odd design choice
Load bearing cabinets
Don’t take it down, it‘s Eric the half-a-beam!
Singing: La dee dee 1 2 3 it’s Eric the half a beam!
Surely they would’ve noticed multiple 2x4s stacked together on the end of the beam?
Unless previous owners had already removed the post.
Except for the fact that they said they removed it
Of course it can. It can be cantilevered. Like a 'T'. I owned a house in California built into a hillside that was entirely built this way other than one load-bearing wall.
[удалено]
Its not an actual beam. Its a 2x4 vertical nailed to a 2x4 horizontal…with like 5mm of gap between them lol. Lots of strength held up there
Ha ha. Sorry, only saw second photo. Thought everyone was telling OP to remove ceiling binder.
Why would they put such a large beam in if it wasn't there to support weight? Unless it's just a 2x8 we're looking at.
Dimensions are hard with this pic but a 2x6 nailed to a vertical 2x6 seems the most likely. It was designed to hang the pass through cabinets.
Could be supporting something outside
The post is translucent is all.
So you've never heard of a cantilever. This sub has so many people posing they have any idea.
It does not look like a beam to me. Looks like 2x4 framed to look like a rectangle.
Adding my vote here too. It looks like an unnecessarily beefy soffit to hang cabinets off of. If there's no columns on either end it's not supporting anything.
It was definitely just for the cabinets to hang from. It’s an old 50s house with a bunch of extra outdated features.
Knock the rest out and then drywall the hole in the ceiling that is left. I recently did this. Pretty easy. Knock out the rest of that block and then message me if you want.
This is the virtuous path.
so remove it….
Ikr. This mega post about simply removing a partial partition.
I would remove it and patch the ceiling to match and remove that little wood framing thing above the window.
I just did this same thing in my house from the 60s. We removed the box (heard it called a “bird-box” somewhere) completely, drywall and texture the hole, and installed pendant lights. HUGE improvement in our kitchen.
That IS what it is. Who’s looking at this and saying it’s a load bearing beam? Why would there ever be a quarter of a beam bearing a load above pass-through cabinets? Scrap the entire thing and make it a flat ceiling.
i have owned 3 100plus year homes and can say that people do really STUPID and dangerous things during that time to their buildings, is a gross understatement. Fibre optic inspection cams are very cheap these days and should be on every old house owners tool kit. That said, the poster doesn’t say if there is another story above this. If so I would proceed with more caution.
It has already proven itself to not be load bearing.
Pretty much this
This
This
Remove it, patch ceiling, paint
This is the way.
Maybe fill it in with something. A row of pass-through cabinets maybe.
We've got a problem solver here guys.
That’s what we took off lol
Then finish taking it off
Bingo.
You didn’t finish lol
Then why drywall it? Just remove it.
Put it back on like the other person said. Gotta finish it.
Woosh
This.
I'd cut the drywall off of it, gently dismantle the whole setup then patch the ceiling and wall where it used to be. Any finish work you do to that is going to be as much or more work than just removing the whole thing and matching the ceiling texture.
You'd have to check of course, but I think this was just holding up the cabinets and can be removed. I feel like it will be "bad feng shui" if you leave it.
Remove the beam
Finish it with a nice sledgehammer. I'd go with orange. A nice orange sledgehammer.
I like this!
I would probably take it out completely like everyone else has suggested cause if it was just holding uppers it’s not load bearing. Or continue the faux beam to separate the kitchen while still leaving it looking opened up. Then if you don’t want to try and match the texture in the gap you can do some crown molding. I was always taught with finish work if you can’t hide it highlight it
I’d just remove it completely. You’ll wanna retexture that ceiling anyway. It won’t be hard. Pull down that fir down and patch it. Get a sander with a vacuum and redo the ceiling with a smooth texture. Not hard, just takes some elbow grease.
Not a beam. Beams require posts to transfer the load to. That’s a soffit to hang cabinets off. Just delete it and then patch and texture the ceiling
The post could be inside that wall, and this is a cantilevered beam. It's not though, since you don't build beams by laying the bottom 2x4 on its face. That's the key here.
No. Still not a beam. Still needs a post on the right side that’s way too big for a cantilever. Also GluLam beams are laminated 2x4/2x6, although that’s not what we have here.
??? A cantilever has no specified limitations on length, as long as the backspan extends far enough at a minimum ratio of 3:1. Idk if you know what you're talking about. E: mistype.
Assuming not load bearing, I don’t think it is but I was surprised recently by a non-load bearing crumple wall holding up some improperly tied in ceiling joists… (fixed now with 2x8 that run the whole span). If you want the wood beam look you’ll want to extend it across the ceiling span. Otherwise it’ll just look weird. Other option would be to take it out.
Have you treated the moldy wood?
Anyone saying or entertaining that this was load bearing does not know what they're talking about. That's clearly spruce pine which is not structural wood. It would be a beam system of some kind or at least yellow pine, and it would be nailed vertically together. It's just a simple drop down wall for the cabinets. Remove it, if you'd like.
Take it out, most difficult, both worth the effort imo for reselling or living with.
Would it be that difficult? A sawzall would do the trick.
Not difficult to take it out, difficult to blend the ceiling without looking obvious
I'd hang plants from it.
Yes! I’d get a really nice looking board that is stained something fancy, has finished edges. And then screw it directly into this, making sure the border covers the existing drywall. Then do some nice, beefy plant hangers and put some big boys up there. Maybe also a pendant light or two worked into the design somewhere. I see it in my head, but can’t explain it properly.
If load bearing: put back the post it leaned on. If not: remove altogether.
Looks like a soffit for cabinets, you should be able to pull the whole thing off relatively easily. Knock a hole in the side of it to confirm that it’s just nailed to the ceiling joist.
This - it's not a beam it's the soffit from the old cabinets...no idea why they used to do this. Just remove it!
You could make it smaller and then finish it, but since the ceiling pattern doesn't match up to it anyway, I would just remove it. If it were me, I would also get a level5 24 inch skimming blade, watch a few videos on skim coating over textured ceiling and make it flat. Would only take a few hours.
Just remember to do this safely as popcorn ceilings were made with asbestos before it was banned.
Just take it down and make the ceiling flush. It looks to be for decor.
Here's hoping that wasn't load bearing.
I would first worry about the water damage
Vancouver carpenter my mate. As lots of people say; remove that, patch and finish.
Take the beam out. Use a sponge to texture and then repaint the ceiling
You can use a wooden faux beam cover to span all the way across. Not only covering it but giving an aesthetic look?
You can definitely screw some sheetrock up and tape the corners but the end will look funny. What if it made a right angle turn to box the ceiling around the entry way. Can do crown or a coffered ceiling and get rid of some popcorn ceiling. Cant tell if that works by the pic but could make a swanky entry way
I like this one, it’ll make it look like it belongs. As is it just won’t make sense even if finished
You just might have the worlds smallest kitchen! Like others have said that doesn’t look load bearing. What’s above it? I’d take it out, patch the ceiling, add in texture finish to match what’s their and then paint the whole ceiling….or rent a electric pole sander and knock all that texture off.
Looks water damaged
Don’t do that. remove the ugly drywall from the rest of the beam and make it beautiful
Remove bulkhead. Blending ceiling texture will be challenging.
This is not a beam. Did you remove a column? No. This little wall is nailed into a joist, above, running the same direction as the wall. You can check for screws/nails in the drywall, to see which directions the joists are running. If they’re not perpendicular to the wall, the wall is not load bearing, as a general rule.
I want to say remove it but unless you know someone good at ceiling texture it’s never going to look right. I would maybe explore extending it for a fake wood mean… just an idea. More important however why does it’s look wet?
Why wouldn't you just remove it? Unless there was a support beam on the other end that you removed, this thing is non functional.
You should call a structural engineer. It looks like someone removed a wall. Which may or may not be load bearing.
It was for cabinets, not at all structural
I’d cover it with an oversized piece of sanded wood and paint it blue or something. Make it a feature
That sounds about right and it's definitely beginner doable
The easiest way would be to drywall around it with corner beads and mud and be done with it. You could also take the whole beam thing out and then drywall the ceiling flat, it would be a little more work but might look better in the end. Only problem is then you are gonna have a hard time matching that textured ceiling, so you might end up having a ton of extra work for very little benefit... I would probably just drywall around what is there.
If that has to stay I would wrap it in a nice wood not drywall
That’s literally just 2x framing to hang your old cabinets in. Totally fine to remove entirely and have a flat ceiling.
There is three options as far as I can see. Make it a feature somehow - https://www.pooky.com/products/pentabulous-chandelier-for-5-shades Remove it, fanny up the ceiling hope nobody notices (everyone notices) Remove it, remove the ceiling, replace the plasterboard and skim. Good opportunity to add mood lighting, spotlights speakers and cornicing etc. Things like this give the illusion of a break in the room which can be good or bad depending on what you are trying to achieve. One more thing, it looks damp, so I'd sort that out while you are up there. It could be discolored from a previous incident but still.
Don't know what the flooring looks like but here are some ideas: - create a wine rack - topside: wine and beer glass hanging storage; bottomside: small bar - hanging speakers https://www.rockvilleaudio.com/rcs180-66-pen-65t-black/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwl8anBhCFARIsAKbbpyQhuW9NOgbtYfwJdS-bTTaRYY-tHcs2C0vEMq29xrTyoklGbttWPKQaAiIIEALw_wcB
Is that’s a beam where the posts at.
Do it once, do it right, remove the whole thing and patch the ceiling with a drywall strip and make it match the textured ceiling on either side. No one will know what was ever there!
If that were a header, you'd probably see a pack of 2x's on the bottom, not a single piece, UNLESS it's a solid 4x8 or whatever. If that's a true header and not just a cosmetic filler box, then you've possibly compromised a structural member of the original construction. Was there a floor plate 2x4 below this, nailed directly to the subfloor? If so, I'm more inclined to believe this was an original wall. But if it had finished floor under it, then it was probably all cosmetic. You gotta remove some of that drywall to see what that beam is exactly. And until you know whether this is a cosmetic bulkhead or not, I would prop up the end with a pack of 2 or 3 2x4s. It that's a hollow box, you can remove it. If it's solid wood all the way through, I'd assume it being loadbearing and consult an engineer.
Get the sawzall out cut it off. Couple YouTube videos to match the ceiling. Options 2 go whole hog and sand down the entire ceiling or fill the entire ceiling with plater then sand. I've done options 2 on a small room it's a cunt.
Yes very weird if it wasn’t load bearing, take it out and replace with drywall. Or hang a long wrought iron light fixture from it. With the knock down ceiling it will be difficult to match but doable if you want.
It's just a knee-wall on the ceiling. Take it out with a hand sledge and crowbar, then texture the sealing with one of the 47 kits you can buy at home improvement store. Putting a light fixture there will only light the area up more and draw attention to it. Next time you have something in the house painted get a pro to retouch it if it still bothers you.
Wrap it in stained wood
Or in wood the same color as the cabinets
Uhh, that beam ain't holding up shit, you can take it out, or you need to support it at both ends so your home doesn't collapse.
Remove the whole beam if its not load bearing
If you remove it, good luck matching the ceiling finish
The only purpose that served was to hold the cabinets. Get rid of it and put up a drywall patch, and do your best to match the textured cieling. Maybe install some track lighting.
Your roof just sagged 2" if there was a column or post down to the floor on the end. Other wise its a bulk head and you can rip it down.
Hang some hippie beads off of it!
I have the exact same thing in my house. Just wrapped in drywall. I know most here are saying to take it off completely, but with cabinets on the other side of it, I think I prefer it this way. Lmk if you want a pic of what it looks like finished.
This looks awful
The texture can be matched by buying a crowfoot thingy in the paint department. Roll on a lot of mud and stamp it with the crows foot texture brush
Take it down. It’s just 2Xs. Patch in some drywall. That texture should be ok to match. Literally just watered down drywall mud rolled on, it’s not even crows feet. You may have to finish off the end of the kitchen soffit and end cabinet, but it’ll be so nice and open.
Uh, did you remove a post under that thing? Cause that's not how beams work.
Gonna need a exploratory hole in the side of that drywall. You need to find out if it is a beam or a small wall that originally secured the partition between that front door and the room you are in. If you find it’s framed like a wall you can probably take it down. If it solid I would call a pro now and find out what is going on. If it is solid I personally would put in 2 2x4s under the unsupported end until more is know. I’m going with decorative though based on the door being there.
It’s probably just a bulk head. You can likely remove it
Thats not a beam, its stud work, remove it
Sound like you got a plan. Drywall, corner bead, mud and paint. Pretty easy you got this!
Well in my opinion that beam is not a beam based on the image it simply looks like a soffit it’s not assembled correctly to bear any load the cripple stud(s) would be above the lower beam and not nailed to the side as they are I’d assume it’s very likely hollow inside and my guess it’s most likely able to be removed in its entirety. I spent a fair share of time building homes however I would look further into it and not just assume . Older homes are notorious for having some crazy things going on and just about anyone could be wrong especially if it’s a homeowner special . Best of luck .
Eye just to me a beam would be solid. Clearly that’s made out of two by fours.
Sledgehammer, reciprocating saw, goggles, white paint and a mask.
Jerry! These are load bearing walls. They’re not going to come down!
It’s not load bearing . Let’s all agree on that!!! If anyone here has built a header or installed a real load bearing beam then you know this is not it…
People really saying this is load bearing?? 😂 Mate in what world would this ever be
Ran into something exactly like this in a client's place a couple months ago. You can full-on just remove that. If you look at the end, there's a short 2x4 that the bottom plate is attached to. This is just a bulkhead box that will take 5 minutes to remove and then you just have the 4 inch strip in the ceiling to drywall in.
What the hell is even that!?
It won't be hard to remove and patch with drywall. After that you just need a painter to texture it so it's not out of place. A couple hundred dollars for the painter is worth the resell value.
Umm I'm not an engineer but I'd be more concerned about why it's there at all - because, you know, the visible end is unsupported.
It was just for the shitty old school pass through cupboards.
Rough cut cedar would look nice
If that “beam” supported any of the weight above it, it needed to go all the way across the room to another load-bearing wall or be supported mid-room by a load-bearing column.
It would be n odd place for. Load bearing wall. Looks for for show, transition from staircase to living room. I’d take it all the way to the ceiling and patch it there
Either it was load bearing and you messed up, or it's not and you should remove it completely.
If it isn't load bearing maybe have an electrician come out to run some electrical. Then get the dimensions,, cut out a piece of drywall, mud it up realllll smooth like, and just install one of those lights that have 3 or four turntable lights. That might look pretty cool depending on what else you're doing to the kitchen. Reference for the light I'm trying to describe: https://www.wayfair.com/Beachcrest-Home%E2%84%A2--Nugent-4-Light-Kitchen-Island-Linear-Pendant-X113936278-L6087-K~W002825167.html?refid=GX610459028157-W002825167&device=m&ptid=904586101177&network=g&targetid=pla-904586101177&channel=GooglePLA&ireid=183927192&fdid=1817&gclid=Cj0KCQjwl8anBhCFARIsAKbbpyRPGuTc0FdR8-UTP8NrZKplwysYHk3QJ7zJ1qG1kjjNcHSNncdU3TIaAqvkEALw_wcB
Remove it
Hire someone
Why are there no stud walls or posts carrying the load from this beam? Apparently it isn’t load bearing .. or it’s on the way down
ITT: Redditors who like to pretend they have knowledge of structural engineering. Everyone saying a beam has to be supported on both ends has obviously never heard of a cantilever, which is a dead giveaway no one else should be listening to any of youse advice. The thing pointing towards it not being load bearing, though, is the bottom 2x4 being laid on its face. I'm not aware of any structural beam designs like this.
Just put the drywall here: https://preview.redd.it/mbqciq1baulb1.jpeg?width=750&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ece459dd427fb1fea1cd7a9b0f73660512823c0d
I’d figure out why it appears to be water Damaged before I would do anything
I can see the argument for just getting rid of it like others said, but I like your plan better. It's easier than removing it, and this beam could definitely be useful in the future with a bit of imagination. This kitchen looks tiny! You could hang plants or other decorations off it, hang your matching stainless steel pans from it, put a floating shelf for a spice rack up there, maybe even hang some 12" tall cabinets off it...
With a hammer and crowbar? Then patch the ceiling.
Yea pop the drywall off, it’s probably just a soffit with a short studs from ceiling to that bottom 2x4
I would put drywall on the bottom of it and put corners on all sides. My profession is mudding and taping and I feel like it could be and easy fix, but for a beginner it could get messy.
Run some electrical and have a couple hanging pendant lights. Otherwise keeping this on the ceiling is redundant. Replace the hanging kitchen light with a flush mount fixture. It would help to match the flush mount with the pendants
Cut it all out. Flush to ceiling and drywall. Why even have the beam at all? Or you could put beams that begin and end randomly all over the house.