Open up parts of load-bearing structure

[Alexandra Nilsson1]

Hello.
We are in the process of reopening an old opening in our house. Assuming there is some form of bark above the opening as it is a load-bearing part. However, we want to open up a bit more on each side, but instead close off the opening on the left as seen in the picture. What are your thoughts?

 

[BirgitS]

If the opening is to be widened, a new stronger beam and new columns are needed. To get the right dimensions for them, a structural engineer needs to do calculations based on the snow zone, roof structure, roof covering, weight from above, etc.

The fact that an opening is no longer needed elsewhere on the wall does not affect it.

 

[Suvi5700]

Hello.
We are in the process of opening up an old opening in our house. I assume there is some form of beam above the opening since it is a load-bearing part. However, we want to open up a bit more on each side, but instead cover the opening to the left as seen in the picture. What are your thoughts?

Do you know if it's a load-bearing wall? To me, it mostly looks like a framed wall. Feel free to come back with more pictures.

 

[Alexandra Nilsson1]

Do you know if it is a load-bearing wall? To me, it mostly looks like a stud wall. Please come back with more pictures.

Yes, the wall runs along the direction of the house and in the middle of the house. There's an upper floor above. Where the studs are, there used to be a previous opening, but the remaining part of the wall is load-bearing (I think haha) and those are the parts we want to remove.

 

[K0nstruktören]

If you are going to widen the existing opening, a structural engineer will need to take a closer look at it. The black post on the right in the picture is definitely load-bearing. If you are going to remove this and widen the opening, at least the following will be needed:

- New load-bearing beam (with accompanying calculations) between new posts
- New posts to support the new load-bearing beam (with accompanying calculations)
- Temporary support during installation

There is also the question of whether it is slab-on-grade or a crawl space. The load has to go somewhere. This significantly affects the cost of the intervention.

 

[Alexandra Nilsson1]

If you are going to widen the existing opening, a structural engineer needs to take a closer look at this. The black post to the right in the picture is definitely load-bearing. If you want to remove this and widen the opening, at least the following will be needed:

- New lintel beam (with accompanying calculations) between new posts
- New posts that support the new lintel beam (with accompanying calculations)
- Temporary support during installation

Then there's also the question of whether it is a slab on grade or a crawl space. The load must have somewhere to go. This greatly affects the cost of the intervention.

We just need to get hold of a structural engineer then 😅 how long do you think the calculations will take? We plan to replace the beam and put up support. We have a basement underneath.

 

[TypRätt]

We have a basement underneath.

What's it like underneath then? It could be that the floor and basement wall directly below the current pillar are reinforced, so if you move them, you might also need to redo the floor/basement walls?

 

[Jansson69]

Hello.
We are in the process of opening up an old opening in our house. Assuming there is some form of bark above the opening as it is a load-bearing part. However, we want to open up a bit more on each side, but instead close off the opening to the left as seen in the picture. What are your thoughts?

Don't see any beam at all?

 

[Alexandra Nilsson1]

Don't see any beam at all?

Isn't it what is behind the wooden thing at the small opening we made at the top? 😅🙈

 

[Jansson69]

Isn't it what's behind the wooden thing on the small opening we made on top? 😅🙈

I can't see anything, can you make a red ring or arrow on what you mean?

 

[K0nstruktören]

We just need to find an engineer then 😅 how long do you think the calculations will take? We've been thinking about replacing the beam and putting up a post. We have a basement underneath.

How long the structural calculations will take completely depends on the conditions and the existing structure (if the load affects the existing structure, this also needs to be checked). If you have access to existing structural drawings, this significantly facilitates the work.

 

[TypRätt]

I agree that I don't see anything substantial in what has been opened now.

 

[Alexandra Nilsson1]

I can't see anyone, can you make a red circle or arrow on what you mean?

Yes!

 

[Alexandra Nilsson1]

I agree that I don't see anything supporting in what's open now.

Not at the top either?
However, it's the parts next to it we want to open up.

 

[Alexandra Nilsson1]

Yes!

However, it was a catastrophic picture, but if you look at the original

How long the construction calculations take depends entirely on the conditions and the existing structure (if the load affects the existing structure, this also needs to be checked). If you have access to existing construction drawings, this significantly facilitates the work.

are you a konstruktör, you think? 😅 we have all the drawings from when the house was built.