Removing Walls
I own a 17 ft. wide brownstone and have already removed the front section of the parlor floor wall near the stairs, replacing it with an i-beam on two posts. I want to now remove a smaller section of my garden floor wall just next to the stairs to open up the dining room. I…
I own a 17 ft. wide brownstone and have already removed the front section of the parlor floor wall near the stairs, replacing it with an i-beam on two posts. I want to now remove a smaller section of my garden floor wall just next to the stairs to open up the dining room. I met with my contractor who doesn’t think I need an i-beam for this. We are not removing all the way to the ceiling to preserve the tin, we
will stop just at the height of the original door frame on that wall. Does this sound dangerous?
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The wall by the stairs is a load bearing wall, if your contractor doesn’t understand that then get another contractor! Remember, the beams in that area don’t go all the way accross because of the stairs, so there is nothing holding the beams up but that wall. Don’t cut any openings in that wall on any floor without putting in support.
You must have the beam touch the floor joists when removing a load bearing wall. The columns must have support on the floors below all the way to the cellar with a footing under the column in the basement. Be very careful and get an engineer first and a contractor second. Do not trust a contractor for structural advice. If you do it wrong you might not see the effects right away, but over the years the floors will sag, the house will shift and plaster will begin to crack as the floor beams begin cracking.
Just a question did you put support all the way to the basement with those on footings. If it was abearing wall and you didnt you are going to create problems ive seen in a lot of brownstones recently. As far as the other wall would support with wood from what you are describing since it doesnt sound like a bearing wall. Also this gives better trimming options.