Browse Forums Renovation + Home Improvement 1 Jul 10, 2014 1:52 pm Hi All - have a question about load bearing walls. I'd like to move an internal doorway along the wall a bit. Before I even consider knocking out a stud or two I'd like to confirm load bearing status, as it's not obvious to me. The wall runs parallel to roof trusses so I figured it's not load bearing - however... it's also the point at which the roof changes from cathedral to not cathedral and changes height. There isn't a truss directly resting on the wall but there is almost right next to it. There are some upright studs directly on the wall that appear to maybe just be support the flashing framework where the roof changes height? (Yes I can see the major load upright in one of the attached photos, I'm talking about the rest further along the wall) https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/40755968/roof-2.JPG https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/40755968/roof-3.JPG Is this iffy enough to get someone in to check or is it an obvious "knocking a door jam though is fine" Any help appreciated - thanks Rob Re: Load bearing wall 2Jul 11, 2014 9:56 am I have no idea what you are trying to show in those photos. but A load bearing wall does exactly that - bear a load. Part of the roof frame will bear down directly on the top plate of the wall. If thats not the case, remove the wall. Otherwise..... Re: Load bearing wall 3Jul 12, 2014 3:44 am Does the doorway have a lintel ? If so , yes load bearing and you will be required to leave the lintel their, but you can move the door only. Design from top down to ground , build from ground up Re: Load bearing wall 4Jul 12, 2014 10:18 am wobbly1 Does the doorway have a lintel ? If so , yes load bearing and you will be required to leave the lintel their, but you can move the door only. Thanks. The frame above the door appears to be a standard single 90x45 header and stud frame between normal wall studs, no double header or large timber lintel (just 1 standard cripple stud). So that sounds like non load bearing to me. I've just cut some plasterboard away for the new door and the frame has a steel bracing strap. Are these used on non load bearing walls? Grrr. I have a chippy coming over next week so will get him to check it out before I go too far. Re: Load bearing wall 5Jul 12, 2014 11:49 am Quote: Are these used on non load bearing walls? Grrr. Bracing is used on both load and non-load bearing walls. You should move the strap bracing along the wall so none of the strength of the wall is diminished. Stewie Re: Load bearing wall 7Jul 12, 2014 1:47 pm No, they should be a continuous length from the top plate down across the studs to the bottom plate like below... http://www.bluesolutions.com.au/nail-ap ... s/bracing/ I should have said "You should move the WHOLE strap bracing along the wall ". Not just part of it. Stewie Any structural alteration to your home requires building permit. Before you get it you will have to supply plans with structural assessment, you will also be removing… 2 4139 Thank you again Simeon.. I will call my certifier for that. Have a good day 4 5197 Thanks for the insights, that makes perfect sense, and yeah, I will be leaning on the experience of the excavator operator entirely. 6 16160 |