Structural Integrity of a Load Bearing Beam

[Fred Sams]

Is a 4” x 6” x 12’ structurally as sound as a 4” x 8” x 12’ beam, when used as a load bearing beam?

Having some home renovation done consisting of widening the opening at dining room and living room.

With this widening we had an existing load bearing beam removed and replaced by a 4” x 6” x 12’ beam.

Hired a licensed contractor to do this work. 

[Aaron McGinnis]

No, the two are not the same and do not have the same bearing properties. 

If you have to ask this question you should not be making decisions about header sizes. Get an engineer or consult a code book or manufacture's specification guide.