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expanding opening

Posted: Sun May 16, 2010 12:41 pm
by Suzque49
I have a 5ft opening in the wall between my dining room and kitchen. The wall is between 2 units and is 6 inches thick.
I want to expand this opening to 9 or 10 ft. and close off a second opening that is 32" wide about 9 ft away from the first opening.
The measurements are 30" wall, 5 ft opening, 9ft wall, 32" opening and 30" wall.
My Hubby says it can't be done because it is so wide. I say it can (you can do anything if you want to, just how to go about it).
How do you think the 2 walls are connected. I think the top and bottom are bolted together, he thinks its the center of the wall too.
Will we need to put in 2 new headers, or will a one 2x10 or 4x10 work to span the new opening?
If I recall it should be around 1 in wide for every foot span. The roof rafters are only 2x2, so not much weight there.
Thanks for your help

Re: expanding opening

Posted: Sun May 16, 2010 12:58 pm
by Greg
With enough planning & money ANYTHING is possible. In a single wide the interior walls are usually not load bearing so you can on paper remove every wall and have one large room. The exception is when you have a change in ceiling height at a wall. Double wides are more of a challenge. The marriage wall IS load bearing so any changes need to carefully planned. Greg