When do you need to add a structural beam in a renovation?

You typically need a structural beam when you remove a load-bearing wall, open up a floor plan, add a walkout basement, or replace an existing undersized beam. Any time you remove a structural element that's carrying loads from above, a properly sized beam needs to take its place.

What determines the size of a structural beam?

Beam size is determined by three main factors: the span length the beam needs to cover, the loads being transferred down through it, and the material type chosen (LVL, steel, or timber).

What goes wrong with poorly designed beams?

Common mistakes include undersized beams that cause ceiling sagging, beams installed with no posts underneath to transfer load down, and guessing beam size based on what worked on a similar renovation.

Do I need stamped drawings for a beam installation in Calgary?

Yes. The City of Calgary requires stamped structural drawings for beam installations associated with load-bearing wall removal as part of the building permit process.

Chapter 02 · Homeowner's Guide

Do I need a structural beam
for my wall removal?

When a wall has to go, something needs to take its place, a properly sized, stamped beam. Here's when you need one, how it's sized, and what people get wrong.

Why Beams Matter

A wall doesn't just disappear.

Thinking about removing a wall, or modifying a basement wall for a walkout? The loads that wall was carrying, your roof, your floors, the snow on top, still need somewhere to go. A properly engineered beam is what bridges that gap, and it's essential to the structural integrity of your house.

The Fundamentals

When you need a beam, and how it's sized.

i. When to add one

Situations that call for a new beam

Load-bearing wall removal
Open-concept renovations
Supporting floors or roof above
Walkout basement additions
Replacing existing undersized beams

ii. Sizing factors

Three factors that determine beam size

Span length, longer spans require larger beams
Loads transferred, roof, snow, floors above
Material type, LVL, steel, or timber, each behaves differently

A note from the engineer:

Signs people get it wrong

Undersized beams, sagging ceilings show up months later
No posts under the beam, the load has nowhere to go
Guessing from a similar reno, structural design is not guesswork

Beam Types

LVL, steel, or engineered timber.

What Happens Next

Stamped drawings, not guesses.

Beam sizing is a calculated process based on Alberta Building Code, NBCC, and structural expertise, not a guess. Tusk Engineering Inc. provides stamped drawings ready for City of Calgary permit submission. Next up: making sure what's holding up your beam is actually solid.

Continue to Chapter 03, Foundations

Do I need a structural beamfor my wall removal?