Hello!
I have purchased a 1 1/2 story villa built in 1980 and I am in the process of opening up walls to make the first floor more open. I have removed plasterboard from a wall that I suspected might have some load-bearing function.
Sure enough, there is a load-bearing beam, but it doesn't go all the way.
I wonder if the wooden studs after the beam have any load-bearing function. I have sawed into one of them in the middle and feel no resistance.
See image
I have purchased a 1 1/2 story villa built in 1980 and I am in the process of opening up walls to make the first floor more open. I have removed plasterboard from a wall that I suspected might have some load-bearing function.
Sure enough, there is a load-bearing beam, but it doesn't go all the way.
I wonder if the wooden studs after the beam have any load-bearing function. I have sawed into one of them in the middle and feel no resistance.
See image
Floor plan?
What is above it?
What is above it?
If the wall runs parallel to the long sides of the house and is located roughly in the middle of the house, it is probably load-bearing. Can you imagine opening up the ceiling to see if the floor joists rest on the wall or if there is air (similar to spacing) between the joists and the interior wall? Then it is not load-bearing.
The wall is load-bearing. This can be determined from the plans even though they are real estate plans. For a discussion about possible solutions, actual plans are needed. The beam in the picture is just a header for the door opening. Do not cut into any more studs, that is not a good method.