The end of winter is near and it’s almost springtime! It’s the time for blooming, new beginnings, and sunshine. And with that, sometimes, comes inspiration and ideas to refresh and remodel your home.

We know, it’s so easy to get sucked into the Pinterest board-making blackhole, and multiple seasons of Fixer Upper. The next thing you know is you’re already planning a big home remodeling project and calling up the Property Brothers! 

 

When it comes to remodeling a house, it usually involves removing or adding walls or changing the floor plan. Here are some helpful things to know before you finalize the drawing board: 

 

What are floor plans?

According to Lucid Chart, “floor plans are scale drawings that show the relationship between rooms, spaces and physical features viewed from above. They provide a way to visualize how people will move through the space. Floor plans make it easier to check if the space is suitable for its intended purpose, work through any potential challenges and redesign before moving forward into more elaborate planning or building stages.”

 

Can you change your home’s floor plan?

The good news is that your floor plan is not set in stone— yes, it can be changed. But referring back to your original floor plan is important in determining how each space relates to one another and how you can change it up in different ways. 

 

There are many ways you can alter your floor plan— from adding bathrooms, decks, a master bedroom, dividing a bigger room into smaller ones, to creating an open plan and expanding your space. 

 

Whatever remodeling plan you have, floor plans are not the only things you should review. Don’t jump to your Pinterest board or design ideas just yet. One of the first things you should look into— believe it or not— are your walls. 

 

What’s up with walls?

You know what walls are— they are what separate the rooms in your house, give you privacy,  and what your kids scribble on when you’re not looking. When it comes to remodeling your walls, there are a few things you need to know. 

 

What are the walls for?

There are different kinds of walls and they serve different purposes. When thinking of remodeling a house, these are the kinds of walls that you should take note of: 

 

1. Load bearing walls: As the name implies, a load bearing wall supports the weight of a roof or another floor above it. This is an important part of any structure and simply tearing it down will cause structural damage to your home.
2. Non-load bearing walls: On the other hand, a non-load bearing wall only supports or holds itself up. It’s also called a partition wall because it separates your rooms. 
3. Walls that house pipes and electrical lines: Some walls are also used to house pipes and electrical lines. They can be walls that accommodate light switches and outlets. 

 

What walls can be removed? 

Technically speaking, any wall can be removed or added, if it is done right and with care.  

• Load bearing wall: It is possible to remove a load bearing wall, but it should be replaced with a structure, beam, or a column that can support the weight it was supporting.

If your plan asks for a load bearing wall to be removed, please also consider how you are going to replace it or support the weight of the roof or floor it was bearing.

• Non-load bearing wall: Once you are completely sure that the wall you want to take down is non-load bearing and does not house pipes or electrical lines, removing it is fairly easy. And no, it does not have to involve a sledgehammer.

The Spruce has a great guide on how to remove a non-bearing wall.

• Walls that house pipes and electrical lines: If the wall houses plumbing or electrical lines, they can be more complicated. The pipes or lines would have to be rerouted before you start taking the wall down. We recommend that you get a professional to handle that for you.

Before you even go into the nitty gritty of your remodeling plan, it’s important to consult professionals first and whether your dreams can come true or if there are necessary steps to take first. 

 

The good news? 

 

That’s what we’re here for. If you’re not sure which of your walls are load-bearing and non-load bearing, how to safely and effectively tear them down and replace them, or if you want help changing your floor plans, our resident experts can do that for you. 

If you want a professional assessment of your home to check whether you need repairs done before you start remodeling, SSR offers a FREE ESTIMATE too! Just dial 980-250-2711, fill out our Contact Form or email us at sherrill@ssrcarolinas.com.