Flush beam or dropped beam? Hiding the beam when you remove a wall

Once a load-bearing wall comes out, its load goes onto a beam. Where that beam sits changes both how the room looks and how much work the job takes.

Dropped beam

The beam sits below the ceiling, like a soffit across the room.

• It is usually simpler: the existing joists rest on top of the beam much as they rested on the wall.
• It leaves a visible band across the ceiling, which some owners like as a design feature.
• It reduces headroom under the beam.

Flush beam

The beam is set into the ceiling, level with the joists, so the ceiling looks continuous.

• The joists are cut and hung from the beam with metal hangers.
• More of the ceiling has to be opened, and sometimes the floor above.
• The beam often has to be deeper or stronger for the same span, which an engineer calculates.
• It is not always possible: the depth of the existing joists and the loads decide.

Beam materials

• Dimensional lumber for short spans and light loads.
• Engineered wood (LVL, glulam, PSL) for longer spans: stronger and more uniform than sawn lumber.
• Steel for long spans or heavy loads where depth is limited, often with wood plates to attach the framing.

Whatever the beam, its load must reach the foundation through posts and footings sized for it. That part is hidden but essential.

Ask before choosing

Ask the engineer or contractor which options are possible for your span, how much ceiling has to be opened and how the finish will look. Then compare quotes with our load-bearing wall quote checklist.