DEAR TIM: I’m getting ready to build a large room addition that needs a beam to support the floor joists. I’ve been told that a wood beam will work, but I’ve always seen steel I-beams in other houses.

The recent push for larger and taller wood structures may seem like an architectural fad—plenty of hype, but only a few dozen completed projects globally. Concrete and steel still rule the world of ...

The Structural Wood Design Calculator is for the iPhone or iPod Touch. It is a tool for engineers, architects, and builders, as well as students to design wood beams for strength in bending, shear, ...

Q: I’m getting ready to build a large room addition that needs a beam to support the floor joists. I’ve been told that a wood beam will work, but I’ve always seen steel I-beams in other houses. Is it ...

Throughout the United States, engineered wooden I-beam joists are becoming more prevalent in residential construction for several reasons. For example, they can be more cost effective than dimensional ...

St. Louis' turn-of-the-century brick buildings are full of massive beams from old-growth forests. Kyle Howerton, a principal with St. Louis-based developer AHM Group, is working on a new high rise ...

Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. On a cloudy day in early October, the architect Andrew Waugh circles ...

Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. On a cloudy day in early October, the architect Andrew Waugh circles ...

Q: My house plan calls for steel beams that will support the floor joists and even parts of a brick wall. Can I substitute wood beams for steel? Is a steel I-beam hard to handle on the job site? Do ...