Hello everyone,
This is my first post, so hopefully I won’t get “stoned” right away.
We are planning to buy an existing property from the 1990s. Beforehand, we want to clarify whether changing or removing a load-bearing wall is feasible and what the possible solutions could be. We want to know this before hiring a structural engineer or buying the house, to avoid the risk that it may not be possible.
Specifically, it concerns the walls marked in red, as we want an open living/dining area.
Based on your experience, what kind of solutions might there be? Should we expect that a steel post will have to be installed, or would it be more common to run a steel beam along the ceiling?
We have no experience with this and would really appreciate your feedback and insights in advance.
Thanks for reading and have a great weekend.
This is my first post, so hopefully I won’t get “stoned” right away.
We are planning to buy an existing property from the 1990s. Beforehand, we want to clarify whether changing or removing a load-bearing wall is feasible and what the possible solutions could be. We want to know this before hiring a structural engineer or buying the house, to avoid the risk that it may not be possible.
Specifically, it concerns the walls marked in red, as we want an open living/dining area.
Based on your experience, what kind of solutions might there be? Should we expect that a steel post will have to be installed, or would it be more common to run a steel beam along the ceiling?
We have no experience with this and would really appreciate your feedback and insights in advance.
Thanks for reading and have a great weekend.
hanghaus2023 schrieb:
Hello,
I’m not trying to criticize you harshly, but I want to question your idea. Who suggested that open-plan living has to be so radical?
Could you outline your concept for the living space design?
Entering the house and immediately ending up in the kitchen?
I have a suggestion for how I would plan it.
The costs are manageable.Thanks! The layout is currently as you drew it. Or something very similar. The homeowners had already moved the kitchen door toward the entrance area some time ago. I think the load-bearing parts of the wall structure are located here as I marked. (Image 1)
In Image 2, there is kind of a compromise where the "L" shape could remain, of course in combination with steel beams that would provide additional support.
H
hanghaus20237 Dec 2024 10:08Could you please sketch your furniture layout? I can’t quite imagine how you want the kitchen. Kitchen with a toilet?
What is the current kitchen like?
Is there really a single step leading to the living room?
Is the fireplace shown actually there?
What is the current kitchen like?
Is there really a single step leading to the living room?
Is the fireplace shown actually there?
hanghaus2023 schrieb:
Could you sketch your furniture layout? I can’t imagine how you want to arrange the kitchen. Kitchen with a toilet?
What does the kitchen look like currently?
Is there really a step up to the living room?
Is the fireplace shown on the plan actually there? I will try to sketch the basic idea for the kitchen and the interior layout when I get a chance. There is no step up to the living room. Judging by the building permit / planning permission, the living room was originally planned without a basement, but was later expanded to include one in an adjustment. Because the living room now has a basement, the fireplace has been moved to the opposite corner, basically next to the staircase.
And no, the kitchen should not be connected to the toilet. My idea was to leave about 1–1.5 meters (3.3–5 feet) of wall from the entrance area (vestibule) so that you don’t walk straight into the house.
But the entrance is already there on the ground floor, right? Why do you want to open up the vestibule? Nothing against openness, but there should still be some privacy, a cold air barrier, and some separation between the wardrobe area and the living space.
I’m missing a clear picture of the current situation here.
So, how is it now?
It’s clear that something has to remain in place for structural reasons. But a room also benefits visually when you don’t demolish everything completely, but leave a small partition wall or wall section standing. Nobody wants to look directly at an open shoe rack from the stove or sofa.
Before asking in a forum—since it seems to be a terraced house—I would recommend checking with the neighbors. Some of them may have already done something similar.
That’s how I proceeded myself. We all had the chimney in the middle but no load-bearing walls, so many just removed the wall above countertop height and were able to create a partially enclosed island.
Maybe you can get relevant documents from your neighbor and save yourself some structural engineer fees.
I’m missing a clear picture of the current situation here.
Davidkos schrieb:
As you have drawn it, that’s how it is currently. Or something similar. The builders had already moved the kitchen door toward the vestibule back then.
So, how is it now?
It’s clear that something has to remain in place for structural reasons. But a room also benefits visually when you don’t demolish everything completely, but leave a small partition wall or wall section standing. Nobody wants to look directly at an open shoe rack from the stove or sofa.
Before asking in a forum—since it seems to be a terraced house—I would recommend checking with the neighbors. Some of them may have already done something similar.
That’s how I proceeded myself. We all had the chimney in the middle but no load-bearing walls, so many just removed the wall above countertop height and were able to create a partially enclosed island.
Maybe you can get relevant documents from your neighbor and save yourself some structural engineer fees.
By the way, people often imagine open kitchens to be more appealing than they actually turn out to be.
For my family, it has proven to be so disruptive in practice that we are now considering installing a wall there again.
The main issues for my wife and child are noise and smells.
I personally feel differently about it, but I’m just sharing a reality check—because my wife was also very keen on having an open kitchen during the planning stage.
For my family, it has proven to be so disruptive in practice that we are now considering installing a wall there again.
The main issues for my wife and child are noise and smells.
I personally feel differently about it, but I’m just sharing a reality check—because my wife was also very keen on having an open kitchen during the planning stage.
Tolentino schrieb:
Just as a realistic heads-up – my wife was also really set on having an open-plan kitchen during the planning phase. The chimney effect of the stairwell spreading the smell of fish and garlic – priceless!
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