Can I make a 5' x 2 1/2' opening in a load bearing wall?

Question

I am wanting to make an opening in a wall between my kitchen and livingroom, with the opening in the wall being 5' x 2 1/2'. Not sure if the wall is load bearing or not. How can I find this out? If load bearing, is the size I want to make ok or does it need some sort of support when I cut it? Whats the easiest way to go about this project? Was going to leave about 3' from each side of the opening and about 42' from the floor. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Yes you can do this..not easily but with a little work, it will be nice. As far as load bearing, you should crawl up in the attic (if not a second story) and look to see if the weight of the rafters are on it. Its very tough to explain but even if your not sure you can still do it. You will cut out your opening in wall. Cut out the sheetrock first, then see if there are any wires that will be in the way. If not then cut the studs. If your opening height is 2.5 ft. cut it to 3 feet one and a half inches. This will allow for 2x8 doubled up to serve as a header. As for the width of 5' cut it to 5'-3" for a jack stud on either side to hold the header. Trim it out and your done. If the wall is towards the center of the house then more than likely it is loadbearing

Answer 2

What kind of roof do you have? If it is a truss roof, the only load bearing walls are the exterior walls. If it is a rafter and ridge pole roof, any interior walls at right angle to the cieling joists are load bearing.

Either way, you can do what you want. If the wall is not load bearing, it's obviously no sweat.

If you find out the wall bears part of the roof load, build a "temporary" support a foot or so away from the wall. I like to use a 2 x 6 plate on top to spread the load over the drywall without dneting it. Set a bottom plate, and use 4 x 4 lumber as studs. They can be spaced 24". Cut them just short of the distance between the plates, and drive wedges, one from each side, at the bottoms to tighten up the framing.

Once you've cut the hole, you'll need to head it off. You can laminate your own lumber, or just buy a custom cut 2 x 8 (or 2 x 6, depending). After your new header is installed, then you can rtemove the temporary support and get on with the finsh work!

Have fun.

Answer 3

if you have a single story house, go in the attic and see if anything is sitting on the wall. you should see only a top plate, no bracing or anything else. the size is fine even if it is bearing, you just have to do different things to make it work. if its non bearing you need a beam across the opening 5-5.1/2 long, supported with a stud at each end and one under each end to the bottom plate. this beam can be a 4by6. if a bearing wall a 4by12. look for any wires and pipes that could be in the wall. you should see these when you are in the attic above the wall. you will need to use 2 - 2x4 nailed on the existing studs that you cut off at 42". its hard to tell you all the things that you must do to do these jobs but hope this helps

Answer 4

sure you can open a load bearing wall... sounds like you want to have a short-order eat bar or counter top between the LV room and kitchen ___ the 5' X 2' 6" is probably not the size opening that you will get finished out ..... call some carpenters and schedule some appointments for bids (( do not take the first bid -- they will be working for you - so don't get pushed around or pay up-front -- if the carpenter wants to get big $$'s first then get him to leave ... use a carpenter that will show and talk about the work to be done..... LOAD Bearing walls are not much different than other walls except that the roof may have weight on that particular wall .... it has sheetrock and inner space between the stud centers like other walls -- you just have to place a header in the opened area to support the above weight.. good luck

Answer 5

A wall is load bearing if it is going across the ceiling joists. Always get a reputable carpenter to assess the situation before making any cuts. You can put a beam across the opening if it is a bearing wall.