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dpb

wrote:
The 90 year-old wooden door frame to my cellar had been damaged by
termites over the years. I finally got around to removing the frame
and would like to replace it with steel. The old frame was not load
bearing, but I would like to use steel in case the rough masonry walls
surrounding the door sag in the future. Where does one typically buy
steel beam? I don't recall seeing it at the local hardware stores,
though I plan to double-check tomorrow.

FYI, I'll be needing one 5' beam with the cross section of an (old)
2x4 and one 8' column with the cross section of an (old) 4x4. The beam
will need to lay flat (the "I" sideways), which I believe is not the
best configuration for an I-beam. Maybe a hollow steel beam would be a
better choice?

How do you plan on doing something w/ this much structural steel?

I'll reiterate the others' comments -- either use a metal exterior door
in the opening or simply rebuild w/ pressure treated lumber. Either
will certainly be likely to outlast your need for them.

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