Opening in an existing exterior wall
I’ve been asked to assist in a remodel project at my kids’ school and I have some questions about it. They want to punch a hole in an exterior wall and put a window mount air conditioner through it. The problem is that the section of wall where the unit will go is only about 6′ wide with studs 12″ on center, give or take. On either side are sliding glass doors. The air conditioner is 26″ wide.
If I cut through two studs and do a proper frame-up will there still be enough structural strength in this wall? Any advice would be appreciated.
Replies
So long as you don't hit the king/jack studs for the windows, and add a proper header in your opening, you should be OK. Being as it's a school, you'll definately be pulling permits. Make sure the BI likes your plan BEFORE you knock the hole.
BTW, if there are sliding glass doors on either side, make sure you have clear access to an electrical outlet in the wall (dedicated circuit is nice for an AC unit) -- a cord strung in front of the door would NOT be kosher.
Mike Hennessy
Pittsburgh, PA
EDIT: You may also want to consider one of the new split units. Way nicer & easier than the hole-in-the-wall plan.
Edited 7/19/2007 3:10 pm ET by MikeHennessy
You probably don't want to use a window AC unless you make the opening 4-6" bigger on the sides and top.
Instead use a through the wall unit. And then you just make the opening to fit the sleave.
The difference is where the there the vents are for the outside air.
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
Being that it's a school, you're likely to find that there are a buuuunch of state specific requirements (call 'em codes) just for school buildings that don't appear in the normal building codes.
Somebody should be doing some investigation about just what is required befoore you start cutting holes in (shear? bearing?) walls.
SamT
If it's a load-bearing wall, I wouldn't do this.