Two ways to carry the same load
When a bearing wall comes out, a beam takes its place. A dropped beam sits below the ceiling joists and is visible in the room. A flush beam is set up inside the joist space so the ceiling reads as one continuous plane.
Cost and framing
Dropped beams are simpler and cheaper: joists bear on top, and the beam can often be installed with the ceiling intact. Flush beams require cutting the joists, hanging each one off the beam with hardware, and more careful sequencing — expect higher labor and hardware cost.
Flush beams also compete with the joist depth. A 2x10 ceiling limits the beam to roughly the same depth, which may force steel or an engineered lumber product to make the span work.
When each makes sense
Choose a dropped beam when ceiling height allows and the line reads as intentional — a transition between kitchen and living room, for example. Choose a flush beam for long open spans where a visible beam would cut the room in half. We model both and give you the sizes before you decide.
