Hello
We are planning to build a descent/staircase to the basement and obviously need to make an opening in the wall to install the door, and have some questions about this
- Do we need to cast in a beam or something similar to do this?
- How do you practically go about installing the beam, etc.?
- Is the gable wall load-bearing?
- What dimensions should a possible beam have and where can you buy it?
- What is the easiest way to make the opening in the wall?
Info about the house
Facade: Brick
Floor structure: Concrete
Foundation wall: Concrete
Anything else you'd like to know?
Attached is a drawing where I have quickly sketched where the door should be on the wall.
We are planning to build a descent/staircase to the basement and obviously need to make an opening in the wall to install the door, and have some questions about this
- Do we need to cast in a beam or something similar to do this?
- How do you practically go about installing the beam, etc.?
- Is the gable wall load-bearing?
- What dimensions should a possible beam have and where can you buy it?
- What is the easiest way to make the opening in the wall?
Info about the house
Facade: Brick
Floor structure: Concrete
Foundation wall: Concrete
Anything else you'd like to know?
Attached is a drawing where I have quickly sketched where the door should be on the wall.
What you need to do in this case, to ensure everything goes well, is to hire a structural engineer who can calculate the loads and advise you on the size of the beam, as well as suggest construction methods or recommend the hiring of skilled craftsmen.
I will still answer your questions as best as I can:
1-Do we need to embed a beam or something similar to do this?
Yes.
2-How do you go about practically with the installation of the beam, etc.?
It varies depending on how the house is constructed and what loads are involved.
3-Is the gable wall load-bearing?
Yes.
4-What dimension for the potential beam, and where can you buy it?
Impossible to answer, see answer 2.
5-How do you most easily create the opening in the wall?
By using a special "concrete saw," possibly supplemented with some chiseling. Chiseling is not suitable if the wall consists of joined concrete elements; in that case, you may need to saw from two sides. The concrete saw looks like a giant angle grinder/circular saw and is available for rent.
I will still answer your questions as best as I can:
1-Do we need to embed a beam or something similar to do this?
Yes.
2-How do you go about practically with the installation of the beam, etc.?
It varies depending on how the house is constructed and what loads are involved.
3-Is the gable wall load-bearing?
Yes.
4-What dimension for the potential beam, and where can you buy it?
Impossible to answer, see answer 2.
5-How do you most easily create the opening in the wall?
By using a special "concrete saw," possibly supplemented with some chiseling. Chiseling is not suitable if the wall consists of joined concrete elements; in that case, you may need to saw from two sides. The concrete saw looks like a giant angle grinder/circular saw and is available for rent.