Doorway in non-load-bearing wall

[filip82]

Hello all knowledgeable people!

I need some help. I previously searched for a craftsman to do this: http://www.byggahus.se/forum/byggma...projektet-bygga-innervagg-sla-ut-dorrhal.html but now I'm thinking of trying to do it myself.

Brief summary: I need to make a door opening in an existing concrete wall. The wall is not load-bearing, about 10cm thick and I think it's made of lightweight concrete. On one side (the kitchen side) it's concrete on the outside, but on the living room side it's a thinner particle board on the outside. There is probably an electrical line, but no water pipes in the wall.

I watched a neighbor knock down the entire wall with a sledgehammer, so it is doable.

What's the easiest way to carry this out? I've asked around a bit and got different answers:

• Drill holes along the intended door opening and then knock it out with a sledgehammer.
• Rent a hammer drill and chip away the concrete.
• ?

My plan is to start by drilling a smaller door, about 60cm, and then knock it out with a sledgehammer. Then with a bit more precision, drill/chip away a bit extra so that the total measurement becomes 80cm wide. I plan to do this from the kitchen side to keep the particle board in the living room as intact as possible so I can neatly saw it when the hole is done. Is this an inappropriate way to do it?

Living room side:

Kitchen side:


Then, how do I make the edge nice? Mortar bucket? Put up a narrow plaster/particle board? Cast? I don't want a door frame since the entrance to the kitchen lacks a door frame, and I want to keep it uniform.

Edge goal:


I am inexperienced in this area, but I see this as an opportunity to learn, so any tips are welcome.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Stefan N]

Saw with a reciprocating saw with a suitable blade

 

[cecar33]

If it is aerated concrete, wrap it with plastic, rent an angle grinder with a diamond blade and a heavy-duty vacuum cleaner, and it's sorted within an hour and cleaning forever if you're careless with the mortgaging.

 

[stoif]

I would have used a tiger saw with a blade for LB and finished with drywall compound.

Netonnet sells a two-pack of such blades for 129, I've used it on Leca and it seems good.

Edit: draw on the wall where the hole should be, drill a hole in the corner, then just start sawing. Assuming it is now lightweight concrete..

 

[Stefan N]

The last thing I would have taken is probably the angle grinder, talk about getting more work.

 

[filip82]

I am a bit afraid to saw since I don't have full control over exactly where the electric wire is.

I can check where to rent a reciprocating saw... but I assume it needs fairly long blades? Otherwise, it will be difficult to manage...

 

[Fredrik Å]

Jula has a reciprocating saw for 199kr. It is quite sufficient for occasional jobs
Fredrik

 

[filip82]

Thank you for the answers. Planning to start the work this week, so we will see how well it will go.

Regarding my second question (how to get the edges done in the best way) - do you have any tips there?

 

[Stefan N]

http://www.gyproc.se/gör+det+själv/produkter/spackel+med+mera/hörnprofil

 

[filip82]

Thanks!

I will probably skip the reciprocating saw, partly because I'm not sure where the electrical wiring is and also because I'm not entirely sure it's lightweight concrete. I'll try drilling holes at regular intervals and attempt to knock the pieces loose. Then we'll see how it goes.