Maintenance Corner | November 2021 | Let’s knock down those walls!!

When you do a lot of renovations you come to realize that knocking down walls to increase living space or bring in more light, is not that difficult and pays off in big ways. I know it can seem scary if you are not used to doing it, and by all means, you need to know how or you better hire an experienced contractor to do it. But don’t shy away from buying a home or renovating your space because of an outdated floor plan.  

It is amazing how much adding a sliding glass door to an existing wall can improve your home’s value, natural light, and overall enjoyment of living in the home. Equally amazing is taking out a wall to create an open floor plan and modernize the home. It’s not fun to be in the kitchen cooking when everyone is having fun in the living room. Bring the family or party together with an open floor plan.  

Here are some things to consider when you are thinking about knocking down walls.  

• Sometimes even bearing walls can be removed by adding a header. Always consult builder ​

• Kitchen and Bathroom walls often have plumbing in them which limits some possibilities. Consult builder.  
• Electrical components can almost always be relocated.  

Leaving a knee wall by only removing the top portion of the wall will open things up without having to patch, ceiling and floors. It often eliminates any electrical work as well. Knee walls can divide spaces or support cabinets while still opening up the overall plan.  

• You can generally determine if a wall is bearing by looking in the attic to see if roof or ceiling members terminate on the wall or are attached to the wall with hurricane clips.  

• The bigger the house, the more likely it is to have interior bearing walls.  
• All exterior walls should be treated as bearing walls.  

• Sometimes even bearing walls can be removed by adding a header. Consult a builder.  

• Kitchen and bathroom walls often have plumbing in them which limits some possibilities. Consult builder.  

• Electrical components can almost always be relocated. 

                                And its just good fun for the entire family!! 

These days people like a good open floor plan so homes that have them will usually sell and rent for more money. If you need a good builder to help you open up your space our go-to guy is Jeff Schutt, with Framers From Haile! Check them out on Facebook or contact us and we will hook you up!