I'm removing a downstairs stud wall... advice please.

[charliegolf]

First is to say, I'm having an SE round Wednesday, but thought I'd ask anyway. We built our timber frame house 30 years ago. I plan to remove a 3.5m long downstairs stud (4x2 @ 600 centres) wall with a door in it, to make a through kitchen dining room.

The joists run parallel to the stud wall. There is another stud wall above it, offset by about 350mm, same direction. I don't think the upstairs studs support the fink trusses, because I think I recall the upstairs being totally empty during construction; studs in after.

Q1 Is my downstairs wall likely to be load bearing?
Q2 If a beam is needed, could it be provided by extra floor joists rather than steel?
Q3 If support is needed, can it be shoved up against the upper floorborads and fixed, so I have a flat ceiling?

Thanks for reading.

 

[noseall]

Q1 Is my downstairs wall likely to be load bearing?

Unlikely.

Q2 If a beam is needed, could it be provided by extra floor joists rather than steel?

To do what exactly?

Q3 If support is needed, can it be shoved up against the upper floorborads and fixed, so I have a flat ceiling?

We often give customers the choice of concealed in the floor space or sat below (where possible). It's about twice the cost and effort to cut a beam into the joist void than to site it below.

 

[charliegolf]

Thanks Noseall. On Q2, I meant: if the SE says it needs support, might doubling up on the floor joists suffice, rather than a steel?

 

[noseall]

Thanks Noseall. On Q2, I meant: if the SE says it needs support, might doubling up on the floor joists suffice, rather than a steel?

Oh, gotcha. Yes. If it's nothing more than reinforcing a stud wall bearing above - then yes. He might just ask you to fit some solid bridging beneath the wall, if the upstairs stud wall falls between joists.

 

[catlad]

The other thing to consider is whether or not it adds some bracing element.

 

[noseall]

The other thing to consider is whether or not it adds some bracing element.

On a sheathed timber frame build? I doubt it.

 

[catlad]

Well, it will add to the structural integrity of the building so it needs to be considered.

 

[charliegolf]

Well, it will add to the structural integrity of the building so it needs to be considered.

I take your point, but sideways, it's 2 lengths of 4 by 2 (top n bottom) with a doorway in it.