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Check out this beauty’s measurements!

“They sure don’t make them like they used to.”

Everyone has heard this----most of us have even said it. Usually I am likely to say something like, “And that is a good thing that they don’t”

Now you are probably wondering how this relates to whatever you are thinking about---especially those of you looking to get tossed in The Active Rain Gutter. But this time I am talking “beams.”

Take a look at this Beauty!

Really big beam

She’s a 10 x18 x 16!

9 inches wide

by 18 inches tall

Now those are some measurements!

Charles Buell

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Posted by Charles Buell, Seattle, WA, Home Inspector on 10/29/2009 08:57 AM

Comments (43)

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Originally posted at: Seattle Home Inspector's Blog: Check out this beauty’s measurements!

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43 Comments on Check out this beauty’s measurements!

OCT

It is definitely interesting when you open up the insides of a older home and see the material used to build it. Sometimes when you try to go off our measurements today compared to back then they don't match up. Such as the studs 12" - 16" on center with the new homes and older home could just be random. At times you think they just threw it up there yep looks good then nailed it. But back than a 2x4 was a true 2x4. Thanks for sharing the pictures!

Charles: This is funny ... great play on words. I can't get too excited about the measurements even though I do understand the significance.

Those are typical in Seattle though. I lived on Queen Anne for years and my 1906 house had similar beams. Without them, the house would have been even more slanted than it was. What I hate to see, (and I know YOU see it all the time), are those lovely beams hacked notched out for plumbing etc...

I do miss the way the old homes were built. 'Nominal' measurements are as offensive to me as the shrinking sizes of candy bars.

Corey---there are certainly lots of differences in older lumber for houses and new ones

Kathleen, thanks

Jennifer, you are right----and these beams are not nearly the biggest ones I have seen. There are some old warehouse buildings with 12x24 inch beams that have floors that are solid 2x10's on edge---talk about beefy!

When we demo'd are old home I was amazed at the beautiful lumber that was used in it's construction. We recycled much of it...
I hope you are having a super week,
Paul

Charles, you might care about those measurements, but all I see are some good looking 'studs'. LOL :)

Paul, in the older houses lumber was so cheap and so abundant there was no need to conserve.

Sylvie, while I can appreciate your interest---the good looking "studs" do nothing for me:)

Charles - now those are some sexy measurements.

Alan, can't you just imagine running to the lumber yard and having them throw a dozen 10x18x16's on the roof of your car?:)

Settle down Charles. I know things like this make you all warm and fuzzy. But this is a family blog!!!

That's a nice piece of wood!

Craig---now I am just "beaming!" (please tell me I didn't just say that---better go take my meds)

That's just NUTS

She’s a 10 x18 x 16! ?? Inquiring minds want to know what makes you think the beam is female.

Alan---you got a new pet?

Kate, you sure know how to ruin a perfectly good metaphor:)

Thank you. I like to think it's a talent I've had to develop.

Now that's a beam! How old we talking?

Kate, did you get professional training?

Jan---1911

Well, to be truthful, I was born with the talent.

Hi, Charles. Your posts never fail to amuse. I enjoyed Kate's comment about the beam being female!

Mr Charles,

That blog post was very sexual and very arresting.

Nutsy, who knows sex appeal

Would someone step on him please?

With measurements like those it can only be a she. That's one heavy duty beam.

Heavy duty and she are not to be used in the same comment.

She's a biggun! I am shocked "she" isn't eaten to shreds...

Okay guys, you just aren't getting it.

SHE
Heavy Duty
Biggun

Now on the other hand if you want to call it a squirrely mess of a beam, be my guest.

Kate, you are asking us to remove a mere splinter from our eye when you have a beam in yours!

I'll bet that house was solid! Did you write it up as a good thing?

Charles - can you imagine what that piece of lumber would cost in today's market?

Leslie, from a guys point of view isn't EVERYTHING female?:)

Nutsy and the English language----never shall the two meet

Kate, OK

Jay---one of them was, but in general they were in great shape

Kate, so what you are telling me is that when I tell my sweetie that she is my favorite Manatee that is not flattering?:) I am really confused (and in big trouble now too:)

Jay, really good point---I mean splinter

Barbara---not too much issue with the beam

Suesan----especially considering you could build a whole house with it:)

Damn that thing is not going anywhere....but then what do I know

Heather---gonna take a while for sure

OCT

Charles,

With the new technology; Parallam Beams and Truss Joists etc. which are lighter and stronger, that's over-kill in today's market.

Holy COW . . . this is a FEATURE in the Active Rain Gutter . . . When men take out their . . . measuring tapes . . . YUP ... in the guttter for you ;-)

Terry, for sure

Carla, you are too kind;)

Mr Charles,

I never would have implied that women, such as Mrs Kate, are heavy. You really messed your nest this time. I think that your female followers will be flocking to the new and sophisticated and debonair Nutsy.

Nutsy

Nutsy, who did you get to help you spell all those words?

new and sophisticated and debonair Nutsy

Kate, have you seen Steve's profile page? Finally a little truth in advertising!

There is nuts in this

OCT

Amazing the lumber used in older homes. I am amazed as well that they were able to make roofs out of 2x4s back then.

Theodora, those houses with 2x4 roof structures worked pretty well for cedar shingles----but add a couple of layers of asphalt shingles on top of that---most sag

Charles, yes I can guarantee Ms. Sweetie and manatee are not to be used in the same sentence either.

But back to your other comment about Mr. Steven's profile where he discloses HOW nutsy he has become, the Federal Trade Commission offers this smell test:

Advertising must be truthful
Advertisers must be able to back their claims

I rate Steven with A+

Well Charlie, I too get excited when I see old growth Doug Fir. But what about those footing forms still in place. A likely spot for Dampwood Termites.

Kate, I thought it was pretty well done on his part too

David----how can those form boards be wrong they have been there for 98 years?:)

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