This article addresses the issue of horizontally layered site-made beam resulting in extra costs of both time and materials that could potentially be avoided by using alternate construction techniques. Corrective measures are also suggested.
Interior framed beam; note the cripple studs are not required above the beam/below the windows
Issue
Horizontally layered site-made beam.
Description of Implementation Error
Typical construction throughout the house.
Risks
Had Advanced Framing techniques been used an overall savings of approximately $2,000 per building would have been realized. The money could have been available to improve other building components to make them more energy efficient in addition to increasing the builder’s profit margin and improving the marketability of the product.
Required Corrections
Use an engineered LVL instead and Advanced Framing techniques.