Help with a "stylish" column on a load-bearing wall in the kitchen

[Svensson92]

Preferably, I want to create a completely unsupported opening of 6m, but I've been told that I would need a glued laminated timber beam of 115x495, and that would extend too far downward, so it's not possible. Is there another solution? I will be making a bar counter that's 238cm long at the beginning, so is it possible to place an attractive column in it? The kitchen will be black with a gray countertop.

 

[Anna_H]

Yes, if you put a pillar at the end of the bar counter, it will have completely different loads, then you can reduce the dimensions. However, I can't say how much.

 

[Svensson92]

Yes, I understand that, but is there a pillar that could be placed there that would look good? Considering that it will be visible.

 

[Karl_Pedal]

You might be able to give the pillar a function that makes it less noticeable. Hooks to hang cups on? Small shelves for spices? etc.

 

[NetNut]

There are carved ones in various places, found one that seems to be able to make a custom one for you:

http://www.dalastolpar.com/stolparna/

 

[NetNut]

You don't have the option to recess the beam into the floor joist and thereby conceal it a bit while also raising it up?

 

[Svensson92]

There's only 25mm up to the rafters, so I can raise the beam with that, but it would still hang down too much. I looked at the posts in the link and it might actually look nice.

 

[NetNut]

Depending on the rafters, you can cut these and attach them with joist hangers to the new glulam beam, which will position it higher.

 

[13th Marine]

Or the beam is placed above the rafters and they are hung from the beam instead.

 

[Svensson92]

Having it on top of the rafters does sound like a pretty good option! Does it still have the same load-bearing capacity on top as it would if it were underneath? Or does it become a different dimension then?

 

[Ursidae]

I have a similar solution in the hallway. We have a round white lacquered steel pole about 70mm in diameter. Mine is completely freestanding, but placing it at the end of the bar counter in a suitable color will probably be quite discreet and out of the way.

It was a previous owner who tore down the wall, so I don't know where it was purchased.

 

[13th Marine]

I have never done it myself but have seen people do it.

I would assume it has roughly the same bearing.

 

[Thomas_Blekinge]

A bar counter with a built-in pillar (so that the countertop goes around the pillar) can look really nice. The pillar itself can be a simple square steel tube, and you can slide on an outer tube in chrome, brass, white-painted, or whatever. Build in a beer tap too.

 

[Oldboy]

Not entirely uncommon in older houses with an overhead bearing beam.
We have it in our old Skånelänga.
Same load-bearing capacity as if it's underneath. In our case, the roof beams and the overhead beam are connected with large, coarse forged carriage bolts, type M20-25 approx. But then, of course, our beams are 5" wide. But naturally, there are modern suitable long and coarse screws available for purchase.

As an alternative to a coarse glulam beam on the top/attic, you can build a truss and hang the joist in it.

I know there are threads here on the forum where both methods have been used.

 

[bax]

What position for a Pole Dancing pole

The design of the pole depends a lot on the design of the rest of the kitchen.

A dry beam.
A massive quad-part.
Steel pipe, painted or lacquered or something, with various welded-on accessories.

Some beams clad in something suitable.

I suggest a solid hollow pole where you can build in a stereo, ambient lighting, and beer tap.