replacing load bearing wall

[Unregistered-steffan]

I have a two story ranch and want to remove a wall perpendicular to the joists on the upper level. This is likely a load bearing wall since it is over an I beam running the length of the house. If I were to span this fron the edge of the outside wall to a new dorway/wall I am building, the entire span will be roughly 12 feet. How large of a beam do I need to replace this, and does it vary if I use stell I beams, traditional 2×6’s, or enginineered lumbers?

[Sauerkraut57]

This is a very serious decision. The amount of weight that a beam can carry does vary greatly based on the material it is made from. The weakest would be the wood, second is usually the engineered material, and the strongest is a steel I-beam. The problem is you need to know what kind of weight this beam needs to support (I.E. roof structure). This is not easy to calculate and should ABSOLUTELY be left to someone who knows!!!

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