While the
extending the floor, I was somewhat simultaneously re-framing the only remaining Victorian-era structural wall left in our flat so as to accommodate an opening for the new bedroom door. This door location is only possible because of the floor extension - the new door is squeezed in between the top of the old staircase, the kitchen and the beginning of the new staircase that goes up to the loft.
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Perspective from 3D computer model used in the design phase - the new
bedroom door and new staircase (upto new loft) meet at this critical
location adjacent to the new kitchen
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This arrangement was developed in the design phase when it became apparent that in order to open-up the space, yet maximize the size of the kitchen and bathroom, we would have a very tight convergence at this very location. This convergence makes the floor extension and relocation of the door critical to the new layout. At the time it was not obvious this wall was structural (it supports a post that helps hold part of the roof) but having
worked previously on this wall, and reviewing the proposed work with building control, I felt confident moving forward.
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| March 27th - The original Victorian-era structural wall (plaster was removed during demolition) |
The "surgery" involved cutting through the existing studs to create an opening that will fit the future door. As in all structural work of this kind, the most important thing is to brace the areas of the wall that are doing the structural work so that the wall does not "know" that you're re-arranging it - it's almost like a magic trick. If the structure realizes what you're doing...you're in trouble...
So the first step is to brace the beam at the top of the wall (known as a wall plate) that is actually carrying the weight of the roof post above it (that helps support the roof). The brace is rather simple - a heavy stud (old growth wood from the original roof) that sits on top of temporary beams that span the opening in the floor for the stair.
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| The temporary brace to support the wall-plate while structural work occurs |
Once the brace was in place, I began to cut away at the studs and re-frame the wall to accommodate the opening. Because this wall is one of the bedroom walls, I did this work keeping the plywood sheathing in place, since the plywood acts as the temporary walls to the bedroom, keeping the dust out. But this made the work more difficult, so I had to go "old-school" and use a handsaw...
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| Cutting and removing the first pieces of the wall |
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| Using a handsaw at a tight spot where power tools would not fit |
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| The opening is done and new side studs repositioned...all that's left is horizontal member at the top of the door opening |
Once all the members that were in the way were removed, I was able to reposition the vertical studs (doubling them up on one side for more strength) and then finally add a double "header" at the top of the door opening. A header is the horizontal member at the top of a door - because this wall happens to be structural, this header is structural and will do the primary work of transferring the weight, or "load", of the roof post to the rest of the wall.That's why the header is doubled up and additional vertical members are added using steel clips to ensure their position and strength.
Once everything was in place, I held my breath and removed the temporary brace...all is good!
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| The brace is removed and the newly re-framed door opening is complete |
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| Before & After montage. On the left (before): the structural wall and floor - On the right (after): the extended floor with the new door opening |
