Raising Ceilings Without Raising the Roof

[Kevin Polite]

Raising Ceilings Without Raising the Roof

ballpark figure on how much it would be to add a beam and remove rafters in a 1950's ranch home to create cathedral ceiling in living and dining room area?

Approximate size of the rooms are 300 sq.ft. in Atlanta (Decatur area)

[Michael Clanton]

Hi @Kevin Polite, you could probably spend anywhere from $5000 to $8000 for this, and possibly more, depending on the complexity of the layout of the existing area and how the new vaulted/cathedral ceiling will be framed in. You will be creating new point loads under each end of the new beam, so you will more than likely have to install new masonry piers and footings at those areas under the house. You'll probably want to get a structural engineer to make sure it is possible to remove the existing ceiling joists so as not to put too much lateral pressure on the exterior walls, and recommend footing sizes and depths for the piers. Here's an example of lateral pressure below: 

Hope that helps!