Exposed Beams (Fire Code?)
I will start a renovation and would like to expose the beams in the kitchen/dining area section of the house. Since I want to have some space for sound insulation, probably I would expose around 4 inches of the beams. Upstairs would be the bedroom area. Is there any fire code limitations? Somebody told me…
I will start a renovation and would like to expose the beams in the kitchen/dining area section of the house. Since I want to have some space for sound insulation, probably I would expose around 4 inches of the beams. Upstairs would be the bedroom area.
Is there any fire code limitations? Somebody told me that the beams can’t be exposed, that the DOB code doesn’t let you do it because of ‘fire hazards’. Any facts would be greatly appreciated.
(see attached picture for some samples of the look I would like to achieve if the DOB thinks it’s OK).
my neighbor did this to the beams above his garden-level kitchen. Sanding down the rough surface of the beams was VERY dirty, but he got it to a place where he liked and then put tung oil on them. I’d think painting them white would give more of a sense of height. He put soundproofing board and then sheetrock in the spaces between the joists. Doesn’t complain about the noise above, but before the soundproofing went in it was very loud.
I think it’s a great look by the potential negatives are :(1) your beams, even if structurally sound, may not be as attractive as you expect and (2) you may get more dust than you’re used to coming from the floor above.
What you’re proposing sounds good to me. If you like the rustic look then a few holes or nails shouldn’t stop you. I’d patch and fill any holes that are too large and then put a little stain on everything as estellaschoen said to blend and even it out. Sheetrocking between the joists with a little rigid insulation sandwiched in there will help with noise from above but it will be still be an issue if you are looking for quiet. Your sheetrock guy will need to be careful how he deals with the juncture between drywall and joist to keep it clean and to allow for some movement.
He’ll probably also need to remove the diagonal bracing while doing the drywall and then reinstall them later.
Good luck!
And once you expose the beams, you won’t find gyp bd. between the beams like in the photos. It’ll most likely be the plywood sub-floor from the floor above.
Sorry was a bit vague with:
“Fire Separations are required between different dwellings.”
Meaning, you can expose the beams because they are part of YOUR unit. Your ceiling is NOT butting another apt.
Plus, your home is a 2-family. I believe Fire Seperations are only required in multiple dwellings (3-family and more).
Agree with Alex that you might not like what you find once you expose the beams. However, holes and such can be patched with wood filler. The beams can be sanded if they’re too rough looking for your taste. And you’ll most likely need to stain them as the color won’t be as nice as you see in the pics you’ve posted.
You can get real old wood hand hewn beams and “beam faces” from Sylvan brandt in Lancaster County, PA. They have great stuff and an incredible selection of reclaimed flooring as well.
http://www.sylvanbrandt.com
The website is great, informative and has prices.
If the ceiling is above another apt, then no. If not, listen to what Alex is saying.
Jock deBoer, AIA
deBoer Architects
I’ve been toying around with doing the same thing. Little afraid of what I will find. If you do it, take pics.
For what it is worth, we exposed our beams on our garden level to provide a bit more ceiling height, and it looks very good. Although it makes sense that the beams would have holes, etc., ours did not — at least not below the drywall that we put in between each of the beams (joists). We just applied a light coat of stain to the beams in a matching shade to even them out.
So, it can work, but, of course, there could be problems with any particular situation.
Good luck!