Roof Beam Restoration
If your restoration needs are Streng Beam specific, please start with the article immediately below: (click to read)
Restoring The Streng Beam: Form and Function
Learn how to avoid the costly pitfalls of failed repairs while preserving these historic architectural elements designed by Carter Sparks.
My business revolves around providing a well-designed, long-lasting and attractive roof beam restoration that is both functional and easy to maintain. If you discover that your beams have fallen into disrepair, consider the roof beam restoration that homeowners have been choosing for decades: The Century Beam.
Roof beam repairs must be strong. Sure, this is a fundamental guideline for fixing almost anything—but it cannot be overstated when it comes to the repair of load-bearing roof beams. Such modifications must be able to withstand the bending and crushing forces of the roof structure above. If you add to this an accumulation of snow or the combined weight of a couple of husky roofers…well, you get the point. In short, your restoration work should effectively reproduce the structural integrity of the original beam.
The most efficient and effective way to rid a beam-end of heavy deterioration is to simply cut it away. More specifically, you can often remove most—if not all—of the damaged end with a single upward cut at a strategic point along its overhang. And this, of course, leaves the rebuilding task; a replacement seasoned beam stub must be properly affixed to the freshly cut roof beam in a way that restores its designed structural function.
Making a stub-to-beam connection is done with two through-bolted externally mounted steel splice plates (fishplates). Sandwiching the beam and stub together with steel plates creates a calculably strong assembly—one that's sure to pass the scrutiny of local building inspectors and structural engineers. The fishplates are hot-dip galvanized during fabrication to eliminate any chance of rusting, and triple-coated with premium paints to match the original color and luster. And to come full circle, splice plates work together with a properly installed sheet metal beam cap to prevent rainwater from working its way into the restored roof beam.
Below are two 30-second videos highlighting The Century Beam restoration.
The following attributes of this style of restoration are notable:
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The Century Beam restoration has been examined and approved by structural engineers.
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All metals used in The Century Beam restoration are either hot-dipped galvanized or zinc plated to resist corrosion. The AGA (American Galvanizers Association) states that it is not uncommon for the coating on hot-dipped galvanized steel plates (like those used in The Century Beam restoration) to last more than 70 years; this number only goes up with regular maintenance (painting). You can begin to see how this style of restoration got its name...
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The Century Beam restoration has been approved by our local building departments.
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All replacement beam stubs have been seasoned for at least ten years prior to use. Thoroughly dry beam stock is resistant to shrinking, warping and cracking. Most stubs in this restoration work are cut from repurposed old-growth beams from local deconstructed buildings.
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The Century Beam restoration maintains the Mid-Century Modern lines of the Carter Sparks - Streng home.
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Replacement beam stubs are shaped by hand to match the profile dimensions of the original beam.
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The Century Beam restoration has been approved and recommended by local homeowners associations.
Below is a gallery with close-up views of The Century Beam highlighting the complete restoration of the load-bearing function that will last the expected life of a home. Click the top photo to expand. (On some iPads, you'll need to use a slow double tap.) Use the arrows within the expansion to view flip-book style. (On mobile devices tap and swipe left.)
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