Hello,
a door is to be installed in a load-bearing interior wall (calcium silicate brick) of an older semi-detached house (built in 1976) (structural engineer approval confirmed).
Questions:
1. Should the door opening be cut with a saw or chiseled out? Disadvantage of sawing: significant dust generation, as water cannot be used due to parquet flooring on one side. Disadvantage of chiseling: vibrations? Rough opening.
The work will be carried out by a professional company.
Which breakthrough method would an experienced builder recommend?
2. The ceiling will be supported with steel posts. Is damage to the parquet floor to be expected, even if the post rests on a thick wooden plank? The parquet area will generally be protected with boards in the demolition area.
I would appreciate any helpful advice.
a door is to be installed in a load-bearing interior wall (calcium silicate brick) of an older semi-detached house (built in 1976) (structural engineer approval confirmed).
Questions:
1. Should the door opening be cut with a saw or chiseled out? Disadvantage of sawing: significant dust generation, as water cannot be used due to parquet flooring on one side. Disadvantage of chiseling: vibrations? Rough opening.
The work will be carried out by a professional company.
Which breakthrough method would an experienced builder recommend?
2. The ceiling will be supported with steel posts. Is damage to the parquet floor to be expected, even if the post rests on a thick wooden plank? The parquet area will generally be protected with boards in the demolition area.
I would appreciate any helpful advice.
So, I made a door opening in an old apartment that I renovated using a large 240mm (9.5 inches) angle grinder. It was a non-load-bearing red brick wall, which I don’t think makes much difference. I managed to do it relatively cleanly with two measures. First, I hung plastic sheeting from the ceiling around the work area, about 300 microns thick; it’s heavy and stable. Second, a helper stood next to me with a powerful vacuum cleaner, sucking directly at the angle grinder. Sure, there was some dust, but it was surprisingly manageable.
Regarding floor protection, I would use a thick painter’s fleece, a 25mm (1 inch) OSB board, and a 20mm (0.8 inch) beam to distribute the weight over a large area as you planned. I think that should work.
Regarding floor protection, I would use a thick painter’s fleece, a 25mm (1 inch) OSB board, and a 20mm (0.8 inch) beam to distribute the weight over a large area as you planned. I think that should work.
Thanks for the suggestions. But cutting through a load-bearing 24cm (9.5 inch) limestone wall with an angle grinder? I’m not so sure about that... I want to have it done professionally—with as little dust as possible. Sawing seems to be the best method, but it generates a lot of dust since using water is not possible.