Because no job is the same, and building materials a vary from project to project, the same support beam will not work for every site. Support beams come in various materials: reclaimed or rough-hewn wood, engineered wood and steel. Each support beam has its own specific application.

Rather than provide a lengthy support beam list, find support beam information in this guide about the right product for you. You’ll find more than one support beam provider to help meet your needs. Consider these options as you shop around:

1. Pick a reclaimed or rough-hewn support beam for their beauty.

2. Discover the possibilities an engineered wood support beam can provide.

3. Rely on a steel support beam to span wide distances.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose a rough hewn and reclaimed wood support beam

Rough hewn and reclaimed wood add beauty as well as strength to any project. Because the wood is often from barns or timber-framed buildings before they are pulled down, the support beam is recycled, rather than made from virgin wood. You can also choose to have the beams finished so that any existing nail holes are removed, leaving only the fresh grain of the wood beneath the surface.

I recommend: Rough hewn or reclaimed wood can add beauty to any house. Two excellent sources of rough hewn or reclaimed wood beams are Elmwood Reclaimed Lumber and Jimmy's Cypress.

Choose an engineered wood support beam for larger applications

An engineered wood support beam combines wood and other materials to create support beams of strength and beauty. The engineered wood support beam, or glulam, uses less lumber than that of solid wood, and because of the many layers of which it's comprised, makes the support beam stronger than those of solid wood.

I recommend: An engineered wood support beam, also known as glulam, is a "stress-rated engineered wood product comprised of wood laminations, or lams, bonded together with strong, waterproof adhesives." Two reputable providers of glulam are Rosboro and Western Structures.

Rely on a steel support beam for strength and durability

Steel's inherent strength allows it to span wide distances. Steel support beams have been in the highest skyscraper Taipei 101, and are widely available today.

I recommend: The steel support beam is the choice of the builders of massive warehouses or high-rise buildings. Two providers of steel support beams are Illinois Steel Services and Commercial Metals.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Technology has done much for the support beam. Thanks to new advances in steel and adhesives, there is more than one support beam from which to choose. In addition, for those who desire the more traditional, rustic look of reclaimed lumber, the support beam that had previous life in a barn can now add beauty to your construction.