ANSWERS: 1
  • <h4 class="dechead">On One Hand: Do Not Alter Load-Bearing Walls

    Load-bearing walls typically have studs that are 16 inches apart. If you alter a load-bearing wall by removing some of the studs, you may weaken it. The result can be windows warping, floors sagging, and even the collapse of your home's upper floor.

    On the Other: Proper Rebuilding May Allow Stud Removal

    A professional builder may be able to remove some studs from a load-bearing wall by redistributing the weight along the rest of the wall. To do this, he installs a support beam where the top plate of the wall was or in the ceiling and columns on each side of the new opening to handle the weight.

    Bottom Line

    Consult your home's blueprints or have your home inspected before removing any part of a wall to determine if it is a load-bearing wall. If you find that the wall is load-bearing, hire a professional builder, who may be able to reinforce the way and safely remove some of the studs.

    Source:

    Bob Vila: Load-Bearing Walls

    Natural Handyman: A Primer on Load-Bearing Walls

Copyright 2023, Wired Ivy, LLC

Answerbag | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy