Remodeling your home is the reimagining of the space and how you live within it. There are many options for layout changes that will improve the flow and function of the space. For example, a kitchen remodel you may consider relocating appliances to address a poor workflow. One of the most common requests, and one which has the greatest impact, is removing a wall.

Removing a wall can be a great opportunity to maximize your floor plan, create a better flow, and give your home a more open feel. However, there must be careful planning to ensure the removal can be done without affecting the structural integrity of the home. There are two types of interior walls in a home, bearing and non-bearing.

A non-bearing wall is a wall that does not carry any weight from the floors or roof above. These walls are relatively easy to remove as they won’t affect the integrity of the structure. Some concerns when removing a non-bearing wall would be the wiring, plumbing, and vents that may be traveling within it. Planning would need to be done to address the relocation of these services. In some cases it may be difficult to move everything, especially ventilation and/or plumbing.

A bearing wall is more complex as the wall is transferring substantial weight from the floors above down through the basement and ultimately to the ground below via a footing. If the removal of a bearing wall is done without proper planning and engineering, the entire structure is at risk of collapse. A Structural Engineer will determine what size beams and columns are needed to support all the weight once a bearing wall is removed. It’s possible that new columns and footings will be needed in the basement if there isn’t one directly below the columns needed on the floor where the wall is being removed. This could pose a challenge if the basement is finished. Just like a non-bearing wall there could also be wiring, plumbing, and venting in the wall that will need to be relocated.

Your contractor will have a few questions for you in order for them to coordinate the engineering aspect of the bearing wall removal.

How much of the wall do you want to remove?
The longer the span the more substantial the beam will need to be. Longer spans may require a steel beam rather than laminated veneer lumber (LVL)
Do you want the ceiling flush between rooms, or are you ok with a header that drops below ceiling height?
Tucking the beam up flush with the ceiling requires more work as all the joists above need to be cut back to allow for the beam to be tucked up into the ceiling. Even then, if the beam required is taller than the ceiling joists, it may still protrude down into the room.
Installing a beam under the joists is easier, but does not produce a smooth transition of the space.
If your basement is finished, would you be satisfied with an additional column in the space?
The column would be installed on a new footing, so the concrete would need to be cut and a footing will be dug per the engineers specification for a new concrete footing.

This is not a DIY project as the safety of you and your family could be at risk. If you are considering removing a wall in your home, enlist the expert help of a licensed Massachusetts Construction Supervisor.

Can I Remove That Wall?