Open floor plans in the main shared part of the home are more popular than ever. Removing walls opens up the whole area, makes it lighter and airy, and allows more movement and flexibility. However, changing a closed floor plan to a more open one can be complicated.
This is especially so for one of the most popular areas to remove walls: the kitchen. Would you like to remove one or more walls in your kitchen? Learn what you need to know to make the best decision for your house.
1. You Can Remove That Wall
Nearly any wall inside your home can be removed. Consider how much will be involved in removing a given wall and whether or not it is worth the cost to you.
2. Load-Bearing Walls Must Be Replaced
The first—and most important—determination with wall removal is if that wall is a load-bearing wall. These walls provide structural support for the house. Non-load-bearing walls are partition walls, and they are just there to divide rooms.
If the wall is load-bearing, it will cost more and take longer to remove. You must replace that support, generally with a new support beam overhead and possibly pillar(s) if that needs additional support.
3. You Will Need to Move What Is Inside
Take a look at what is inside the wall. Are there electrical outlets, water connections, or HVAC vents? If so, these elements will need to be removed or rerouted. This adds cost, effort, and time to your project.
Removing electrical connections is the easiest task, but rerouting plumbing lines may not add too much extra cost and effort depending on where they are going. Ductwork changes should be carefully managed by a professional since these (and the wall removal) change airflow and the function of the whole-house system.
4. You Must Erase Its Existence
Once the wall is removed, you will need to fix the flooring underneath and around where it once was, clean up and replace drywall at connection points, repair ceilings, and implement a new paint job.
The best way to approach this is to take down the wall as part of a larger remodeling project when some or all of these other elements are being updated anyway. Time the extra effort to your advantage.
5. You May Have Alternatives
If the cost or extra work of removing the wall is daunting, be open to other options. Are you trying to fix a layout issue in your kitchen? Rethinking the layout with more creativity may solve the problem without such a drastic move. Want to open up the space to adjoining rooms? Perhaps you can accomplish the same thing by expanding the entranceway or turning the wall into a peninsula. Brainstorm with professionals.
Clearly, knocking down that kitchen wall is an option, but is it the best option for you? Find out by meeting with Nielsen’s Remodeling & Construction. We will put our decades of home renovation experience to work for you. From assessing your options and designing the right changes to executing your vision, we will handle all the hard work for you so you can sit back and enjoy your new, transformed kitchen. Call today.
You will only receive the best of service when you rely on our services. We will be happy to answer any questions or concerns you have about your specific home layout and ensure you have the peace of mind you deserve so you can have the best experience possible. Home improvement projects do not need to have a huge hassle. And with Nielsen’s Remodeling & Construction by your side, they aren’t.