Log home load bearing wall
We have a beautiful log home we did not build. It is constructed with 12" logs, five sided home with a covered deck all around with 360 views. Two of the deck sides we NEVER use and decided to push out to extend the living spaces inside.
Our question pertains to load bearing. Our plan is to cut out part of the existing exterior log wall where two windows exist. We are planning on opening the wall where we have two sets of double casement windows side by side with only 12" between the two sets of double windows. With the log construction would we be compromising the wall structure by having that opening in this
one exterior wall? The opening would be approximately 128" x 72". We are planning on finishing framing around this opening.
Our home has an amazing central, huge, log support structure. The main central log goes up through the center of our three story, five sided home. There are ten logs radiating out from this central support log on each floor (One extending on each corner and one in the middle of each wall). These horizontal support logs extend through the exterior walls and are supported by a vertical log support outside at the edge of our deck. We were told none of the interior walls are load bearing due to this log construction. Does this make sense? The first picture below is to help you visualize this central log support structure.
So, long story short would we be dealing with any load bearing issues with this opening in the existing exterior log construction? I've included some pictures to try and help visually. I also included pictures of the support log structure radiating out through the exterior walls from our central support log in the center of our home On each corner and center of each wall. And yes we broke one of the window glass with a 2x6....we'll have it fixed before moving that window to the new exterior wall. we will also be adding more cross pieces in the wall construction of that short wall, we just want to be able to skinny through for now instead of walking around the whole deck, lol.
The last picture is the other side we are closing in. Originally we were just going to make this side a sunroom but if we wanted could we structurally do the same thing by cutting out the slider and two windows. In all of this we could add a support log on either end of the opening if needed.
thanks for your advise and ideas.
B
Comments (10)
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Comments (6)Remembering your roof pictures on bath remodel that wall would have been load bearing. The gable end usually is not unless you have a hip roof. Then all four outer walls are load bearing. You still need proper brace/supports when tearing out walls. In our house being manufactured I know a couple of walls certainly could come down all the way as they are just partition walls. Still there are headers over the doors. Just thinking your bath remodel showed the rafter placement. and the outer edges of the rafters sit on load bearing walls as Marti said. You might be able to tell from your old pictures. Also some center walls can be load bearing because the center of the truss or rafter needs support. Not on a scissor truss the center is a point.Doubt you have those in your house. On the run last sunny day before big storm hits and I have yard work to do....See MoreReplacing a load bearing wall with a beam in the attic
Comments (9)Thanks for the input. My house is a ranch, so there's nothing to support above it, but the roof. We're taking out a load bearing wall that separates the living room from dining room, and the contractor will replace this with a flush beam. One end of the beam will be supported by an outside wall and the other end will terminate on a small wall that sits over a post in the basement. I get the feeling that my contractor has done this a lot and feels pretty comfortable with that arrangement. Meanwhile, I've noticed that my living room runs the full width of the house (24') with no support other than a homemade truss arrangement for the roof, that I understand was common in the early 1960's. This arrangement has stood the test of time, so I guess it's okay, but I still get a bit nervous when there's a large amount of snow on the roof. I had asked the contractor about installing a beam over the living room as well, but he was a bit more hesitant about that, and merely said he would look at it when he starts the kitchen work. So I guess the answer is that an engineer would be needed to decide if/how additional support could be provided in the living room. That's probably why my contractor is hesitant to give me a firm answer....See MoreHouse structure question, are these walls load bearing?
Comments (9)While not a complete answer, some information can be given on this forum. To know for sure we would need more information on the span and the truss. However, it is unlikely that a builder is going to engineer trusses without load bearing walls on a middle floor while using a load bearing wall on the bottom floor. It is spending money for no reason. So, for preliminary brainstorming while you wait on better information, I would assume they are both load bearing....See MoreLoad bearing columns and kitchen wall
Comments (6)You would need structural engineer to inspect to firmly answer your questions but based on my experience these are load bearing. Why is the refrigerator sticking out so much? And why aren’t door for refrigerator opening with hinge on left. Very awkward to use in such a tight kitchen. Looks like some updating has been done. Make sure to carefully review the Seller’s Disclosure form. They must list issues and how they were resolved. Ask for documentation for any big ticket items. The light fixtures are very dated. Those would need to be replaced in my world. That is expensive endeavor. Document any issues you see and ask your agent to get info from seller in writing. N verbal agreements. Document in emails not text messages wherever possible. Easier to retain and search in future. Changing walls usually means changing floors too so it can get expensive fast. Hope those thoughts help you out....See More
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