How to Enclose a Steel I-Beam With Wood

I-beams in buildings are for structural support and sometimes need to be enclosed to hide it from sight, such as when refinishing basements. The best way is to build a soffit that will hide the beam without having to drill into it. Although time-consuming, this is a job that can be done by anyone with basic carpentry or woodworking skills.

2-by-2 lumber (enough length for the size of the job)
Tape measure
Circular saw
3-inch wall screws
Screwdriver
Plywood sheets
Nails
Hammer

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the length and height of the I-beam needing to be covered. Allow an extra 2 inches below the bottom of the beam.
- 2
  Cut lengths of 2-by-2 lumber with the circular saw to make two lengths to fit from wall to wall in the room. Take the height measurement and subtract 4 inches off it. Cut two pieces of 2-by-2 to that length and place in between the long runs of 2-by-2 at the ends.
- 3
  Screw the outside pieces to the inside pieces with the wall screws tightening them fully with the screwdriver.
- 4
  Measure and cut more pieces to fit inside the long sections. Space the pieces with 16-inch centers and screw them in place. The finished piece will look like a ladder.
- 5
  Screw the frame to the floor joists beside the I-beam. Then level it so that it is vertical to the floor and screw it to the walls at each end of the frame.
- 6
  Make another identical frame to fit the opposite side of the I-beam and screw that in place.
- 7
  Measure and cut 2-by-2 pieces to fit into the underside of the I-beam between the two outside frames. Space them with 16-inch centers and screw into place.
- 8
  Cut the plywood to size and nail into place with the hammer on the frames one side at a time. This will enclose the I-beam.

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