I have an interior wall that is positioned in the length direction of the house, in the middle of the house. The roof and floor joists run across this wall. The wall consists of single-row brick and is 8 m. Today, there are two door openings located about 1 m from each exterior wall. There are plans to close these openings and instead create an opening centrally of about 4 m. I assume the wall is load-bearing because it is brick, and the rest of the house's interior walls are made of wood. I was thinking of retaining some brick on both sides of the current door openings. Questions: 1. Is single-row brick stable enough to function as a load-bearing wall without risking bulging? 2. Is it realistic to create a 4 m long arch? 3. What is a suitable dimension for a load-bearing beam?
Load-bearing walls should be marked on the house plan.
You absolutely must have a load-bearing beam if you are going to open up 4 m. Ask the construction company where you plan to buy the beam to size it for you. It's free, otherwise, there are guides on laminated wood manufacturers' websites.
http://www.svensktlimtra.se/sv/signin/signin.php
http://www.moelventoreboda.se/index.asp?menuItem=L10
/CC
You absolutely must have a load-bearing beam if you are going to open up 4 m. Ask the construction company where you plan to buy the beam to size it for you. It's free, otherwise, there are guides on laminated wood manufacturers' websites.
http://www.svensktlimtra.se/sv/signin/signin.php
http://www.moelventoreboda.se/index.asp?menuItem=L10
/CC