Weight bearing walls already gone
#1
03-19-09, 10:56 AM
Weight bearing walls already gone
Hello. I'm pretty interested in a foreclosed house, but the last owners made an impromptu "open concept" by removing some weight bearing walls. The ceiling of this house is starting to bow down, so I was looking for options.
Info:
1950s ranch on slab w/o basement.
trusses unsupported across whole width of house
"open" area approximately kitchen (18'x12') and living room (20'x15') with two removed walls between them that made up a hallway.
If needed, I can draw a quick picture of the layout.
Possible plans?: It is a wood above brick exterior to the house, so wooden beams wouldn't look too bad on the inside as long as I dont have to make them too thick. The ceiling is standard 8' high. The only problem I really see with this is that the beams would have to be 20' long, and that seems like the beams would bow really easily.
The kitchen would be an easier answer, as I was planning on putting in an island, so it would just have some columns on either side of it, but I'm sure that still isn't enough support as it had a second wall taken out.
OK, thank you for any info you can give me. Steve
Info:
1950s ranch on slab w/o basement.
trusses unsupported across whole width of house
"open" area approximately kitchen (18'x12') and living room (20'x15') with two removed walls between them that made up a hallway.
If needed, I can draw a quick picture of the layout.
Possible plans?: It is a wood above brick exterior to the house, so wooden beams wouldn't look too bad on the inside as long as I dont have to make them too thick. The ceiling is standard 8' high. The only problem I really see with this is that the beams would have to be 20' long, and that seems like the beams would bow really easily.
The kitchen would be an easier answer, as I was planning on putting in an island, so it would just have some columns on either side of it, but I'm sure that still isn't enough support as it had a second wall taken out.
OK, thank you for any info you can give me. Steve
