Steel beam in basement...anyone?

We are giving thoughts to finishing our basement to obtain more space but we have 4 support beams which really interferes with the useable space.

Someone recommended that we install a steel "I-Beam" and we could remove at least 2 of the existing column beams.

I know that some people on this board have done this when finishing their basement - can you please share approximate cost?

Any pics of finished basements are welcome as well...

Re: Steel beam in basement...anyone?

It is more cost effective and less of a headache to box the steel with 1x trim and create an architectural detail than it is to install a w-beam. Peabodys husband again.

Message edited 3/2/2007 8:55:41 PM.

Re: Steel beam in basement...anyone?

Can you just arrange the furniture so they don't seem as much in the way. We've always put couches up again them or in between them.

It can be very expensive like Phil said because it's structural

ETA: Pictures of before, during and after. We just got the basement redone this winter. It's small. Two structural columns are actually contained in the walls of a walk-in closet, the other two are exposed. They divide the room but we are planning on just using it as a playroom in the future as we have a den and separate livingroom upstairs.

These are all pics taken from a similar angle.

The posts are covered in pine not sheetrock.

Image Attachment(s):

Message edited 3/3/2007 11:13:27 AM.

Re: Steel beam in basement...anyone?

I agree. Box it out with sheetrock and put nice molding at the top and bottom. Make them look more like columns. They look very pretty, and sooooooo much more cost effective!!

Re: Steel beam in basement...anyone?

IN just speaking with a structural engineer about doing it in our lower level of a hi-ranch, it would cost more than $3000, and it could be a ton of work and hence we decide not to do it for the sake of 2 poles.

Re: Steel beam in basement...anyone?

we put a steel beam in our basement... or friend is a contractor so the price was not nearly as expensive as some wrotwe on this thread.
pic with steel bean before we removed pole:

here after painting