Beam in basement

[dougpete]

Greetings -

We are planning on building the full two story Universal (widened to 24).  Rather than use beam and posts in the basement and upper floors, could we use a 2 x 6 bearing wall going the whole length, with framed openings between rooms?  (We would strengthen the footer in the basement, keep the walls in line with one another and make sure the header size is from the tables.)

Thanks much!

Doug

[John Raabe]

Yes, you could do a standard 2x6 bearing wall sitting on a PT (or cedar) sill plate with a thickened footer below. Put headers over openings in this wall just as you would on an outside wall. Ditto double top plate (to carry joist loads between studs). If you have point loads from beam supports above provide solid blocking at joists and double studs to carry load to footing.