Is there anyone wise here who thinks they can see if this is a load-bearing wall or not?
I have cut down the boards for a better look, but I'm still unsure.
2"x3" studs. Only covered with old masonite. No insulation.
Seems a bit flimsy to be a load-bearing structure, but I know very little about this kind of stuff.
Can I proceed with the saw?
The house is from '64. The wall runs in the same direction as the roof trusses, as shown in the drawing.
The plan is to create an opening between the living room and dining room. Tips on materials and solutions for how to best dress it are gratefully received. I was thinking of 2 new studs on the outer edge and MDF over that. And some simple trim. Unless it turns out to be load-bearing and a big ugly laminated beam is required.
I guess it's a load-bearing structure. Otherwise, it might be too long of a span for the floor joists (if I'm interpreting it correctly).
Or is it the trusses above?
Feel if they seem to be under tension.
If I understand correctly, I believe it is not load-bearing.
The wall you have made a hole in is the one circled in red?
And the trusses run in the same direction as this wall?
And the total span of the trusses is not more than about 8 meters?
Then that wall should not be load-bearing. The trusses running above there need support in the middle of the house, but not the entire wall you have made a hole in.
The walls between the living room and bedroom/hall and the wall between the bedroom (looks like dining room in the picture) and kitchen, on the other hand, are likely to be a load-bearing central wall.
But when I look at the plans, I can't make sense of the garage in the basement.
There should either be a beam in the ceiling in the middle of the garage or possibly a concrete slab...
edit:
But well, I'm a bit lousy at interpreting plans, but in the cross-section drawing, I do think it suggests that there is a concrete slab over the garage, between the garage and kitchen + bedroom.
edit2:
Personally, I would bet that the current wall is not load-bearing and continue the project.
A bit hard to say... Does the wall align with the basement wall (are they resting on each other)?
Technically, I don't think it should be load-bearing, but to check, you can saw with a reciprocating saw and if it pinches, then you might need to reconsider and think of alternative plans Not saying it's a 100% solution!
Not the most theoretical and correct method maybe, but a guideline
It was my first post here and very impressed by the response from all of you. There will likely be more posts when I get stuck in the future
Thanks for all the tips and opinions!
I've also checked with an old carpenter, who firmly claims it's non-load-bearing.
Tonight the saw comes out. I'll post a picture when it's done.
