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Remodeling Design Dilemma living room

Can you tell which column is load bearing?

2 years ago

We're hoping to open this space by knocking down the wall to the left (gas fireplace) and hopefully removing the column to the right on the stairs and putting in wrought iron railing to give it a more open feel. Can any of you tell just by looking if either of these are load bearing? We would most definitely hire a professional to make 100% but thought I'd check with all of you first. FYI the column on the stairs seems to be exactly in the middle of the house and this is our first floor (no basement).

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PRO

Beth H. :

2 years ago

last modified: 2 years ago

if one is load bearing, then the other one is prob carrying some weight too. (they're both next to each other. Load bearing means the joists are running across it. so if it's running across one, it's running across the other too!

if you remove those posts, you can install a large beam to support the joists running across it. Similar to what is shown here

You could have a beam like this already, but maybe it isn't rated to stand alone, without those posts.

If it's not loadbearing, you can remove them w/o doing anything else. no way to tell unless you can take a peek up there and see which way they're running

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Comments (8)

littlebug zone 5 Missouri
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
There’s really no way for us to tell from a single picture.

I get the feeling this is an apartment in a large building - is it?

I’m not sure what you are referring to when you say ’wall to the left gas fireplace.’ I don’t see a gas fireplace. Maybe it’s out of our view way to the left.
PRO
Norwood Architects
2 years ago
Unsure where the gas fireplace is too. My best advice is to have a general contractor you trust come in and make a determination as to which columns are load bearing.
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You need a structural engineer. Posts need footings. You’ll need to dig footings. Steel is stronger than glue lam, and smaller. It will not need intermediate support if designed correctly. Steel is always the answer. Along with a work crew that has experience with it. NOT DIYable. Structural work is like racing. How much you want it to be invisible depends on how much money you have. How fast do you want to go? Pony it up. A 300K level remodel is going to bleed it at every opportunity. This is where you need the experienced architect and GC and let them do their jobs.
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I am sorry but I don't think (16) supersedes (11)... A registered architect or engineer acting within the scope of his or her practice or any person exempted by the law regulating architects and engineers, including persons doing design work as specified in s. 481.229(1)(b); provided, however, that an architect or engineer shall not act as a contractor unless properly licensed under this chapter. The question becomes what is in the scope of an architect's practice vs. what is not. While G.C.ing is not allowed, supervising demolition for the purpose of furthering the design is allowed, and I can find cases for you if you want. This was actually tested in Florida courts a few years ago, laws and regulations are simply not the black and white things that people want them to be. In other words, an architect in Florida may supervise any work incidental to the creation of plans. What is, and isn't, incidental to an architect's practice is a gray area, and you can't read the wording of the regulation to find the answer, you must go to the case law to find it.
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It sure looks load bearing to me. It is holding the porch up. I am assuming there are more of them? I would replace them altogether and put in some beefier ones, those are really too skinny and not all that attractive. A square one, would look much nicer. Since there is no support on that corner, this is something I would have done ASAP. That corner could very well collapse, and if you have any others (I cant see full porch), they should be changed out with beefier ones too.
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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.
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PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
2 years ago
IMO a structural engineer not a contractor and is this actully a unit in a large buliding or a single home?
Kate
2 years ago
We had a wall that I wanted to remove since it wasn’t load bearing, but sadly it had pipes, electric and duct work running through it so was cost prohibitive. We did make it a little smaller which helped.
elexab
Original Author
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
No, it’s not an apartment. We are in a detached single family home. The half wall to the left has a gas fire place on the other side that we want to knock down/remove. Here’s a closer picture. Don’t mind the mess.
3onthetree
2 years ago
WAG (channeling Johnny Carson's Carnac the Magnificent): Big pilaster on exterior wall contains gas FP vertical bend of vent to outside, the other big column was done to match symmetry around the FP, but a plumber dropped a pipe through it because it was there and easy. Stair post required for upper floor framing.
elexab thanked 3onthetree
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
2 years ago
No engineer needed.

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