Do you believe the wrought iron trellises are serving as support beams or solely for decoration, and how can I safely remove the decorative curly pieces circled in red?
Asked by David Harvey 
3 months ago
Last Updated: August 18, 2024
Hey, so we think the wall is holding some weight. But what’s your take on those wrought iron trellises – are they there for support or just for looks?
And if they are supporting something, any tips on how I can take off those curly decorations (the ones I marked in red)? I’m stumped on how they even got them up there because the curls are too close to the screw for a screwdriver to fit in. I’ve attached some close-up photos for reference.
Thanks a bunch for your help!
Just for looks. The curly bits would bend if any weight was put on them.
The beam above is purely decorative and provides support. If you no longer want them, just grab a hammer and bend them away, or cut off the heads and twist out the metal.
That’s the part that bears the load.
Absolutely, !
Use a metal blade with a reciprocating saw to cut through the screws. Try selling them on one of the Haunted Mansion Facebook groups!
From the age of the house, I highly doubt that the beam is anything except laminated 2x material which wouldn’t span that far on its own. The post closest to the end of the short wall bears weight on it. The two vertical metal posts of the iron carry the load, NOT the curls as mentioned earlier. While it’s not an ideal construction, it’s probable that the builder used it as a load-bearing post. I wouldn’t remove anything until you inspect the beam itself. If it’s a 2×10, spanning more than 8′ to support a second story isn’t ideal. I’m willing to bet those iron posts can support several thousand pounds. Even the inexpensive ones at Lowe’s are rated for 1000 pounds, and yours are old-school steel. The iron along the steps is for decoration. The iron over the vent is likely decorative as well.
Check out the span calculator at the bottom of the page on this website: http://www.the-house-plans-guide.com/beam-span-tables.html#beamspancalculator
Wow, that’s crazy if that’s load bearing
I agree with you, Red. The span is definitely too large for it not to be. Older homes often have porches with iron supports like that for the roof systems and rooms above.
Those span calculators are designed for modern lumber. My 1964 house has 2×8’s spanning 14′ (16″ on center) for the 2nd floor joists. One of them even has a point load for the roof beam almost at the halfway point. I run an architectural design business and this setup would never pass code today, but here my house stands 60 years later with no bending or unevenness in the floor. It’s pretty crazy, isn’t it? 🤷♀️
Is always exploring the timeless building methods of the past.
You know, , these days we tend to overbuild instead of just building. Many engineers rely on charts or programs without doing the necessary calculations, erring on the side of caution. If you examine the rebar in tilt-up wall panels, you’ll notice there’s twice as much as there used to be. It’s like tilt-up buildings are on the verge of collapsing everywhere.
The decorative ironwork is just for show. You can use a utility knife to carefully remove the paint around the screw, then use an offset screwdriver to unscrew it. If that doesn’t work, you can try bending it, using a grinder with a cut-off wheel, or a reciprocating saw with a fine-tooth blade to cut off the iron, and then use a regular screwdriver to finish the job.
Haha no
If the ironwork was load-bearing, it would be connected to the beam without Sheetrock in between.
Have you attempted to remove the ornamental metal work with a cranked screwdriver? It’s not load-bearing.
Are you positive about that being a long span opening for a load-bearing wall? The ironwork definitely isn’t load-bearing. Could it be that the wall was altered without proper support put back in, like a column at the bottom of the stairs?
Open up a section of the finished wall above that opening and check what’s there. Usually, the walls on both sides of a stairwell are load-bearing. If it’s a load-bearing wall, you should be able to see a beam, likely constructed of multiple 2x lumber.
Hey , try saving time by checking out the picture, closing your eyes, and looking again! You’ll spot the beam 🤦♂️😇
I’m almost positive that decorative metal is not holding any weight
For sure not part of the structure
Screwdriver with an offset. I highly doubt those curly cues are providing any support.
Absolutely just for show. A screw would never hold up a house.