Several years ago, the previous owners put on an addition. A former exterior wall was left in place and now sits smack dab in the middle of the kitchen. As I’m renovating, I want to remove this wall, but it supports the ends of the rafters of the original roof.
I’ve been thinking of replacing the walls with beams and supporting the corner with a post. The problem is that the post would sit in the middle of the cabinets and countertop and I can’t think of a practical way of trimming cabinets around it or installing the countertop.
So I was thinking of two other options:
1. Raise the beam into the attic. (Is this called a “hidden beam”?) That would mean cutting the joists above and tying in a new beam to the joists using hangers.
2. Put the post at the end of the run of counters, making it easier to trim cabinets and the countertop around.
I’ve attached a few photos and drawings.
Existing Drawing: Shows the floorplan and existing walls/beams. (the wall location isn’t exactly accurate, but it properly represents the structure). The cabinet locations and other hatched lines aren’t accurate. They come from another layout I was working
Hidden Beam Drawing: I may have the term wrong for this, but what i’m meaning to do is to put the beam on the same plane as the joists. As I’m typing this, I’m thinking that I alternatively could put the beam under the joists… hmmm
Photo A: From the attic
Photo B: From the attic
Photo C: From the family room, looking into the kitchen.
So, I could use some advice. I’ll be getting an engineer to figure out the details, but I could use your thoughts on the best way to go. Put the post in the center of the counter? Put the post at the end of the counter? Put in a “hidden beam” (again, sorry if that term is wrong)? Put in a beam under the joists?
Thanks a lot. I can post other pics if it’ll explain better.
Replies
There is not enough information in your post, or in your drawings, for us to make recommendations.
You are following the correct path -- get a licensed engineer to give you advice, in the form of signed drawings. Those can then be taken to the building inspectors when you apply for a permit.
And note that no inspector in his/her right mind would issue a permit for this type of work without those signed drawings.
Unless you're the lead dog, the view just never changes.
Thanks for that feedback. Is there anything else I could provide which might make the question more clear? I was hoping to at least get some general advice from y'all.
Whip up some sketches and take them to the building department and describe the work you want to do. They can tell you what kind of drawings, etc you'll need to get a permit. I've always had very good luck with this approach.
I think I understand the questions well enough. But answering the questions requires a complete understanding of the design of the original structure, and the design of the previous addition, as well as an understanding of the principles of structural engineering.
For example, some of the unknowns are: How much does the roof system weigh, and how much of that weight is borne by the wall that you'll be removing? How do these figures change when different elements of local weather come into play? Is the outward stress on the now-internal wall, placed there by the roof system, being absorbed by that wall, or is there a structural ridge beam? Was the previous addition done in such a way that the structure of the roof is already compromised?
There are about a hundred other questions too.
Hire the engineer, get the stamped and signed prints. Follow his/her advice.
Unless you're the lead dog, the view just never changes.