Create Space in Your Home

When remodeling a home, many people like open spaces between rooms. Open areas between the kitchen and dining rooms are a common addition to homes due to the increased functionality it brings. However, removing a wall or adding a knee wall can be quite the difficult task if you are not careful. By removing an obtrusive wall, you may also open the view to look out of picture windows. The problem with opening up walls between rooms is that you may not know which wall is a bearing wall. These walls hold the roof trusses up and simply can't be removed unless you want your roof coming down. Roof trusses are the structural part of the roof system. A true roof truss will transfer the load to the exterior walls of the house. Therefore, the interior walls will not be load bearing. However, if the roof system is a stick-framed system the interior center walls will be load bearing; a header will need to be used to carry and transfer the load to properly built posts. In order to avoid any structural problems this may cause as a DIY project, make sure you call in the professionals. Handyman Matters craftsmen are trained and skilled in multiple areas around your home.

To get a general idea of what these bearing walls look like and where they might be located in your house, take an excursion to your attic. Look for trusses that rest on the wall you want to remove. If two sets of trusses come into the wall and rest upon it then it is load bearing. If the span between the walls is greater than 25 feet then the wall is probably load bearing, even though the truss may continue from outside wall to outside wall. If a truss rests on the wall with no gap underneath, then is probably load bearing. Handyman Matters wants you to be aware of all of these signs when looking in your attic for load bearing walls. There are many things that can go wrong when trying to remove a wall to open up space in your home; not properly preparing yourself is one of the main issues.

Open-plan kitchen/diners are high on purchasers' wish lists, while, according to research by the Nationwide building society, an extra bathroom adds at least five per cent to property values. This is good news if you are thinking that you want to open up the space in your home and change the feel of your rooms. Decorating a space can also make the room look much different; once you have removed a wall you can still partition spaces using visual tricks such as lighting, a changed floor surface or an archway. You can also use furniture to create segregated spaces. The back of a sofa, for example, can demarcate a circulation route through the living area. Alternatively, Handyman Matters suggests you replace the wall with a knee wall or a counter to open up the room while still keeping the flow of the room. The craftsmen at Handyman Matters can help you determine which choice is best for your home.

Creating space in your house can open up your living area and make entertaining family and friends a breeze. It is not just a simple project to complete in one day though – there is a lot of preparation that needs to take place. The best way to create space in your home by taking out a wall or adding a knee wall is to consult the professionals at Handyman Matters. The craftsman will come into your home and determine which walls can be taken out and where space can be added. They are the best for finding out how to change your home in a structurally safe manner.