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A practical guide to beam sizing — with the honest disclaimer that only a licensed PE should specify your beam.
The beam size you need depends on three factors: span length (how wide the opening is), load type (single-story vs. two-story), and beam material (steel W-flange vs. LVL). For most residential wall removals in Texas, beams range from a W8×21 steel beam for short single-story spans to a W12×30 or larger for long two-story spans. However, actual beam sizing requires site-specific engineering calculations by a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) — span tables and online charts are starting points, not specifications.
We get this question more than almost any other. Homeowners want to understand what they're getting before they commit to a project, and we respect that. Below we'll share the common beam sizes we install, explain how the naming works, and walk through the factors that determine your specific beam — but we'll also explain why an online chart can never replace actual engineering.
Reference Guide| Span | 1-Story Load | Typical Beam | 2-Story Load | Typical Beam |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8–12 ft | Light | W8×21 or LVL 1.75"×11.875" | Moderate | W10×26 |
| 12–18 ft | Moderate | W10×26 or LVL 1.75"×14" | Heavy | W12×30 |
| 18–24 ft | Heavy | W12×30 | Very Heavy | W12×35 or W14×34 |
| 24–33 ft | Very Heavy | W12×30+ | Extreme | Custom engineered |
⚠️ Important: This table shows general patterns from LBWP's project history. It is not a specification. Your beam size must be determined by a licensed PE based on your home's actual load conditions, tributary width, bearing capacity, and deflection requirements. Using this table to size your own beam would be like using a symptoms chart to prescribe your own medication.
Steel beam names look like code — but they're actually straightforward once you know the pattern:
W = Wide Flange
The beam shape. Wide-flange beams have an H-shaped cross section with parallel flanges — the standard for residential structural work.
12 = Nominal Depth (inches)
The beam is approximately 12 inches deep. Deeper beams resist bending better — think of how a 2×12 is stiffer than a 2×6.
30 = Weight (lbs per foot)
The beam weighs 30 pounds per linear foot. A 20-foot W12×30 weighs 600 lbs — serious steel that requires a crew to install.
Here are the beam sizes LBWP most commonly installs, from smallest to largest:
W6×15
6" deep · 15 lbs/ft
Short spans, tight spaces, light loads
W8×21
8" deep · 21 lbs/ft
Single-story, moderate spans (8–14 ft)
W10×26
10" deep · 26 lbs/ft
Mid-range residential, versatile
W12×30
12" deep · 30 lbs/ft
⭐ The workhorse — most common beam we install
If we had to pick one beam that defines residential wall removal in Texas, it's the W12×30. This beam appears in roughly 45% of LBWP's installations — and for good reason:
Handles spans from 8 to 33 feet depending on load conditions. For two-story homes — the most common wall removal scenario in DFW suburbs — the W12×30 covers the vast majority of spans our PE encounters.
At 30 lbs/ft, a 16-foot W12×30 weighs 480 lbs — heavy, but installable by a skilled crew without a crane. This keeps installation costs down compared to heavier beams.
The 12-inch depth provides excellent moment of inertia (238 in⁴), meaning it resists deflection well. Floors above the beam stay level and don't bounce — critical for two-story applications.
The W12×30 sits in the sweet spot of the structural steel cost curve. Stepping down to a W10×26 saves modest material cost but may not handle the load. Stepping up to a W12×35 adds cost without benefit for most residential spans.
When you see a LBWP crew carrying a steel beam through a front door in Plano or Frisco, there's almost a 50/50 chance it's a W12×30.
Engineered WoodLVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) beams are engineered wood products made by bonding thin wood veneers under heat and pressure. Unlike solid lumber, LVL has no knots, no grain direction issues, and consistent strength properties — making it a reliable structural material for shorter spans.
| LVL Configuration | Typical Use | Max Practical Span |
|---|---|---|
| 1.75" × 9.5" single ply | Short spans, light loads, header replacements | 8–10 ft |
| 1.75" × 11.875" double ply (3.5" wide) | Single-story, moderate spans | 10–14 ft |
| 1.75" × 14" double ply (3.5" wide) | Single-story, longer spans | 14–18 ft |
| 1.75" × 14" triple ply (5.25" wide) | Heavy single-story or light two-story loads | 16–22 ft |
LVL beams are easier to work with (they can be cut and fastened with standard carpentry tools), lighter to handle, and easier to conceal in a ceiling cavity. However, for two-story loads and spans over 16 feet, steel W-flange beams are typically the better choice due to their superior strength-to-depth ratio. Read our full steel vs. LVL comparison →
Quick Comparison| Factor | Steel W-Flange | LVL |
|---|---|---|
| Best for spans | 8–33+ feet | 8–22 feet |
| Two-story capable | Yes — the default choice | Limited — short spans only |
| Depth for same load | Shallower — more compact | Deeper — needs more ceiling space |
| Weight | Heavy (21–35+ lbs/ft) | Lighter |
| Concealment | Requires framing around steel | Easier to frame and finish |
| Fire rating | Non-combustible | Combustible (needs protection) |
We publish the table above because homeowners deserve to understand what they're getting. But we must be clear: no online chart, span table, or beam calculator can replace a site-specific structural analysis by a licensed Professional Engineer.
Here's why beam sizing is more complex than "span = beam size":
The beam doesn't just carry its own span — it carries a width of floor and roof on each side. A beam under a center wall carries half the floor span on each side. A beam near an exterior wall carries less. This "tributary width" directly affects the total load and therefore the beam size.
If beams or posts from above concentrate their loads at specific points along your wall, those point loads create stress concentrations that a uniform load chart won't account for. The PE must analyze where those point loads land and size the beam accordingly.
A beam might be strong enough to carry the load but still deflect (sag) too much. Building codes require deflection limits: typically L/360 for floors (a 20-foot beam can't deflect more than 0.67 inches) and L/240 for roofs. The PE checks both strength AND deflection — sometimes deflection controls the design, requiring a deeper beam than strength alone would dictate.
The beam is only as good as what holds it up. The PE must verify that the bearing points — posts, studs, sill plates, and foundation — can support the concentrated loads at each end of the beam. A slab might need a bearing plate. A pier-and-beam foundation might need a new concrete pad.
LBWP includes PE-stamped engineering in every project. Our in-house PE, Mateo Galvez, performs the structural analysis, designs the beam, and stamps the drawings. You don't hire a separate engineering firm. You don't wait weeks for outside consultation. Engineering is built into the service — and the price.
Yes, in many cases. LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) beams handle spans up to about 20–24 feet in single-story applications. For shorter spans in single-story homes, LVL is often cost-effective. However, for long spans, two-story loads, or where beam depth is limited, steel is typically required. Your PE will specify the best material for your situation — sometimes the choice between steel and LVL affects the beam depth, which matters when you're trying to keep a flush ceiling.
In residential work, people use "I-beam" generically, but what LBWP installs are W-flange (wide-flange) beams. The technical difference: traditional I-beams (S-shapes) have tapered, narrower flanges. W-flange beams have parallel, wider flanges that provide better load distribution and easier connections. All modern residential structural steel uses W-flange shapes. If you say "I-beam," we know what you mean — but technically, it's a wide flange.
The raw beam typically costs $500–$2,500 depending on size and length. A W8×21 for a 10-foot span: $300–$600. A W12×30 for a 20-foot span: $900–$1,800. But LBWP includes the beam in all project pricing — the beam is never a separate line item or surprise charge. Steel prices fluctuate with the commodity market, but your quoted price is fixed.
Often yes, but it depends on ceiling height and beam depth. A "flush beam" sits within the ceiling plane and is invisible after drywall finishing. A W8×21 (8" deep) can usually be hidden with 2×10 joists. A W12×30 (12" deep) may protrude below the ceiling or require a soffit. If ceiling aesthetics matter to you, tell us during the estimate — the PE can sometimes select a wider, shallower beam or an LVL configuration that fits within the ceiling cavity.
Bearing posts (also called columns) support each end of the beam. These posts transfer the beam's load down to the foundation. In slab homes, posts bear directly on the concrete, sometimes with a steel bearing plate to spread the load. In pier-and-beam homes, posts need solid footing — potentially new concrete pads or reinforced piers. The PE specifies post size, connection hardware (Simpson connectors or welded connections for steel), and foundation requirements for each bearing point.
Detailed comparison to help you choose
2026 pricing for every home configuration
Steel, LVL, and engineered beam options
Step-by-step: what happens during your project
Our in-house PE engineering service
Find your home's price range
Free on-site assessment. PE-stamped engineering included in every project. Same-day ballpark estimates.
