i would like to make a opening in a wall to make the room look bigger give it a more open look how do find out if it is a supporting wall do not want it all comming down. or weaken or damage the house
2007-02-03 00:50:27 · 7 answers · asked by fireman12 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
If you need to ask, you shouldn't be doing this "self help" no offense intended. As already stated by others, electrical and structural nightmares can become a problem. I'd be careful of what advice I accept on here. The reputable carpenter is the best bet...at minimum as a consultant. Protect your home! It would suck to have your roof sag or even worse, the upstairs becomes the DOWNSTAIRS. There are a lot of very good builders out there in your local area that wouldn't mind advising. Just go with one who is a professional and not the "Knowledgeable neighbor"
2007-02-03 01:04:00 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is okay to put an opening into a supporting wall, only if you do it like this: (and if you are not experienced in building I would not try this yourself)
You need to make a walkway with re-inforced double headers (2x8 or 2x10) no more than %30 of the length of the wall.
Double up your framing on both sides of the walkway.
First cut away your drywall to open up your wall and expose your studs. Find where you want to put in your opening and frame the outsides of the opening. Supporting the wall with temporary jacks or studs is a good idea and is sometimes required before cutting away necessary studs. Then install your header. Make sure everything is nailed or screwed and remove the temporary support. Your new walkway is framed and ready to finish.
2007-02-03 10:08:21 · answer #2 · answered by John S 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to get someone in who knows. I know, just by looking at it, but I've grown up in a family which has always renovated homes. What you need is an understanding of how the walls, roofline, and weight tranferance system works ... you can't get that knowledge here, from the Answers forum, or even from a book. It is born from experience ... so I'm thinking a professional is the way to go.
My handyman would be happy to come out and "consult" for me to do something on my own (paid by the hour and travel time of course), so I'm thinking yours may be too. Everyone always needs a bit more information when tackling the new, so it's a normal occurence ... just ask. That professional will also tell you thinkgs you need to look out for as well ... and typically, if I ask my handyman if he'll fix whatever I mess up, he says sure, as long as I did what he told me to do.
2007-02-03 09:25:25 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is the wall single or double brick. If it is of single construction it is less likely to be a supporting wall. Look in the loft or upstairs to see what if anything is being supported above. Get a builder to give a n estimate to do the job. He will let slip if the wall is a supporting one!!
2007-02-03 09:00:33 · answer #4 · answered by Spiny Norman 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You definitely need a reputable builder to look at it and advise you. if you even attempt to put a hole in a supporting one, the whole place will collapse
2007-02-03 08:54:02 · answer #5 · answered by Angelfish 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
YOU GET A TRADES MAN IN.
You obviously dont know what you are doing so Id seek professional advice
2007-02-03 08:59:23 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You also have to know exactly where your electrical wires are running!
2007-02-03 08:56:37 · answer #7 · answered by Shari 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋