Learning
About Load Bearing Walls Today's typical floor plan often includes bright and open spaces with high ceilings. Before the advent of today's modern building materials, these wide-open spaces were difficult—and often expensive—to achieve. As a result, remodeling plans for older homes may include punching holes in walls, creating pass-throughs, or removing walls entirely. With a little planning, these modifications can usually be achieved--even in load bearing walls. Load Bearing Walls Remodeling Considerations |
|
||||||
|
Redirecting
the Load A second solution is to enclose a new support beam within the ceiling space. Floor joists above the removed wall portion are temporarily supported and cut. A new support beam is inserted into the cut area, and the existing joists are secured to the sides of the new beam with joist hangers. With the bottom of the new support beam flush with the bottom of the existing floor joists, the end result is a new beam that is concealed within the ceiling. |
||
No
matter the method, the weight is then transferred to supports or columns
at the ends of the new beam. Since the loads from above the new opening
must now travel down only two columns, special attention must be paid
to their construction and placement. The weight transferred to the floor
by the new columns that was originally distributed along the length of
an entire wall is now concentrated in two places. In some circumstances,
the new columns will need to extend directly to the foundation. Again,
have this redirected load analyzed by a qualified professional to ensure
the structural integrity of your home. |
All
About Dol | What's New | Contact
| Sitemap | Link
Copyright Sudprasert Engineering (C)2002
10 February, 2003