Why open a load-bearing wall?
Removing a load-bearing wall allows your home to be more spacious, bright, and welcoming. Before starting the work, it’s important to know that not all walls are necessarily load-bearing. Opening up a load-bearing wall in a home is an ideal solution to a lack of light and space. Removing a load-bearing wall can make your home look bigger, without having to change its actual surface area.
How to recognize a load-bearing wall?
Opening up a load-bearing wall is a project that requires the intervention of a qualified general contractor licensed by the Régie du Bâtiment du Québec (Quebec Building Board) and an engineer. Opening up a load-bearing wall alters the layout of the house and requires compliance with specific standards. Most municipalities require a permit before carrying out the work. However, these complexities are worth it, as the results will be astonishing!
To determine if these changes are possible in your home, it is important to recognize a load-bearing wall and differentiate it from a non-load-bearing wall. Without this knowledge, the work is not feasible.
Furthermore, if the opening of the load-bearing wall is not first verified by a structural engineer, there is a risk of significant damage to the house, including structural collapse and subsidence.
A few elements will provide clues as to whether the wall is load-bearing (note, however, that these do not replace the work of a structural engineer):
— The joists are generally perpendicular to the load-bearing walls;
— The wall is aligned with columns in the basement;
— Note that the wall framing studs are every 12 inches instead of 16 inches.
It is also important to consider all the standards that require the removal of load-bearing walls, which are well known to structural engineers.
The advantages of opening a load-bearing wall
Opening up a load-bearing wall is not a decision to be taken lightly. However, this renovation offers benefits that are highly valuable for you and your home:
A profitable investment
Opening up a load-bearing wall is a major transformation for your home, without being expensive. This action can therefore offer you an excellent return on investment.
The more modern and spacious your home is, the more its value will increase. It’s just as beneficial whether you’re planning to sell your home or continue to live in it.
An open space for more spaciousness
The trend is increasingly toward opening up spaces and increasing the conviviality of each room in the house. The more open the spaces, the more spacious, inviting, and bright your rooms become. Opening up a wall between the kitchen and the dining room is a common renovation, as it encourages sharing convivial moments with family or friends.
Additionally, knocking down load-bearing walls in these common areas provides continuity to your home. Currently, the trend is toward master suites. The bedroom, bathroom, or even a second living room can be combined into a single space to significantly expand its size. Thus, opening up a load-bearing wall can increase the feeling of spaciousness of rooms, even in small homes.
A Well-Designed Replacement
Opening up a load-bearing wall involves certain constraints, such as the removal of baseboard heaters and reduced storage space. However, this can be turned to your advantage. By being creative, it’s possible to maximize several elements of the room.
By opting for built-in furniture, you can utilize every nook and cranny of the space without wasting any square footage. Baseboard heaters can be replaced with a smaller format.
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