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jhzr2

2x4s that suspended a ceiling?

JHZR2
9 years ago

I hope the image attaches. Long story short, remodeling our kitchen, and because there were a few spots where the plaster was bad (gone, and acoustic tile was put over it), we decided to pull the ceiling.

Kitchen is linear, front to back on outer wall in a four square house with a butler's pantry perpendicular, side to side on the back wall. Butlers pantry and some of kitchen stick out from the otherwise outer walls of the four square design. In other words, rear end of the house has one story area that is partly kitchen and partly pantry. Intent of pulling ceiling from that area is because there could be insulation installed, plus consistency of ceiling height.

In the picture you're looking at the front of the kitchen, outer wall to the left and behind. Triple beam in picture behind the two 2x4s closest in the foreground is the edge of the four square portion of the house, so everything rear of that is the single story section (note the roof above the position of the photographer).

Anyway, the two 2x4s shown in the picture closest in the foreground (going right to left) go the full width of the single story area coming off the back of the house. So they go from exterior wall to exterior wall. The lath was attached to them, and then plastered.

Of course I will consult an engineer to make a final assessment in person, but is there any reason why these 2x4s would be structural?

I imagine they do tie in the two side walls at the top. But any thoughts on if that is necessary?

Since that portion has a raised roof, we were thinking of insulating the roof, and making the ceiling vaulted.

But if those 2x4s have a strength and stability necessity to them, we will pass.

Just want to go in smart when an engineer comes to consult.

Hope I was clear, I'll post a few other pictures, sorry for the quality.

Thanks!

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