Attaching Lam-beam to existing roof

[rbeck777]

Being a believer in a picture being worth a thousand words, I have attached a picture and will try to ask this question as succinctly as possible:
How do I attach a lam-beam to the corner of the roof (near the light and downspout) for the purpose of supporting the front edge of a porch addition?

[Joe Carola]

Being a believer in a picture being worth a thousand words, I have attached a picture and will try to ask this question as succinctly as possible:
How do I attach a lam-beam to the corner of the roof (near the light and downspout) for the purpose of supporting the front edge of a porch addition?

Is it a dropped beam with the top of the beam flush with the existing top plates, or is the beam sitting on the top plate of the existing house?

[rbeck777]

The way I see it, its going to have to be a dropped beam due to the size (height) of the beam required for the long span (about 17 feet). I suppose steel is an option sitting on the top plate. Let me know your thoughts.

[Joe Carola]

The way I see it, its going to have to be a dropped beam due to the size (height) of the beam required for the long span (about 17 feet). I suppose steel is an option sitting on the top plate. Let me know your thoughts.

Remove the brick enough to get the lam beam to sit inside the corner studs of the existing wall by measuring down from the existing top plate the height of the lam beam and cut the corner studs so that you can sit the beam on top of the studs. you can notch the top of the beam so that the top plate lap stays, you can cut the top plates out without notching the beam. I've done it both ways. You don't have a set of plans that show this detail?

[rbeck777]

Thanks,
I think I understand that. No plans, I'm an owner/diy-er. But I'm not totally stupid. Electrical engineer by degree. I hold a master electrician's license, have remodeled rooms, installed siding, put in windows, etc.
Regarding your second method, would cutting the top plate not be a structural concern?
What do you think of a steel I-beam sitting on the top plate?
Lastly, I have thought of moving the beam outside the wall and putting it on a post. I don't like this at first blush because it won't look as "finished" or like it was original construction. What do you think?
Thanks

[Richard A Hetzel]

It looks like the porch will be barely six feet wide. That's half a porch...or at best, two-thirds of a porch. If you can, you should think about making the porch wider, thus eliminating the problem of trying to support a beam in a very difficult place. It won't cost half-again as much, and it will give you a porch you can really use. Shoot for 12 feet if you can, or at least 10 feet.

[rbeck777]

Thanks for the input,
I understand your sentiments, but there are other issues/concerns with a wider porch that we don't need to get into.

[Joe Carola]

Regarding your second method, would cutting the top plate not be a structural concern?

No, it wouldn't because your nailing it back into the beam.


What do you think of a steel I-beam sitting on the top plate?

Why use steel when you can use wood whether your sitting on top of the plate or flush with the top of the plate?


Lastly, I have thought of moving the beam outside the wall and putting it on a post. I don't like this at first blush because it won't look as "finished" or like it was original construction. What do you think?

I already told you what I think and what the proper way to do it is.

[rbeck777]

And I thank you for that. Good day.