Generally, exterior walls cannot be removed. If exterior walls are removed, it’s usually part of a larger building project such as a home addition. Exterior walls are almost always load-bearingload-bearingLoad-Bearing Wall



Load-bearing walls support the weight of a floor or roof structure above and are so named because they can support a significant amount of weight.

What walls can you remove in a house?

Whole Home Remodeling – Which Walls Can You Remove?

  • Any Wall Can Be Removed If Done Correctly. One of the major concerns when removing a wall is whether or not the wall is load-bearing. …
  • Even Walls Containing Plumbing and Electrical Can Be Removed. …
  • It’s Easiest to Remove Walls During a Whole Home Remodel.





How do you remove an exterior load-bearing wall?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: And screw it into those studs all the way across. And then we'll put a kicker out to our outside wall and a kicker down to this floor.

How do you tell if you can remove a wall?

Generally if the wall in question runs parallel to the floor joists above it, it is not a load-bearing wall. If it runs perpendicular or at a 90-degree angle to the joists there is a good chance that it is structural. Again this is not a hard-and-fast rule but it is a guideline of something you can look for.

How do you frame an exterior wall?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Place any crown in the wall stud up when building a wall build corner blocks by placing two studs together and nailing to make an l-shaped. Piece.

Can you remove an outside wall?





Generally, exterior walls cannot be removed. If exterior walls are removed, it’s usually part of a larger building project such as a home addition. Exterior walls are almost always load-bearing and cannot be taken down without seriously weakening the structure of your house.

Are all exterior walls load-bearing?

Truth: It’s common that all exterior walls in a home are load bearing, but not guaranteed. Many people assume that all exterior walls are load bearing, period. This is not always the case. It comes down to where the floor joists and trusses bear which varies depending on the type and style of house.

Do you need planning permission to knock down an external wall?

Do I have to get planning permission for removing a load-bearing wall? As a general rule, you don’t need planning permission for removing internal walls. But, if you are renovating a listed building, then you need consent for any external or internal work.

How much does it cost to remove an exterior wall?

On average, a homeowner can expect to pay between $1,200 and $5,000, with most paying around $2,500 to remove a 120 square foot load-bearing wall made of plaster with little to no utility lines inside.



Cost to Tear Down a Wall by Location.

Type Average Cost to Remove
Interior $300 – $5,000
Exterior $3,500 – $10,000



How do I know if a exterior wall is load-bearing?

Step 1: Determine Whether a Wall Is Load-Bearing or Not

  1. Check an unfinished basement or attic to see which way the joists run.
  2. If the wall runs parallel to the joists, it’s probably not load-bearing.
  3. If it’s perpendicular, it most likely is a load-bearing wall.


What are outside walls made of?



There are 10 basic types of exterior wall: poured concrete, masonry (brick or stone), stucco, synthetic or artificial stucco, wood (shingles, shakes or planks), metal (steel or aluminum), vinyl, asphalt shingles, tile (slate or clay) or fiber cement (planks or panels).

What can I use for exterior walls?

Five common structural exterior sheathing options include wood-based, gypsum, glass mat, cement board, and Barricade® Thermo-Brace®. Plywood sheathing is made from whole sheets of wood that are cross-laminated, which give the boards strength and stiffness. This helps with expansion and contraction.

How far apart are studs on exterior walls?

The general spacing for wall studs is 16 inches on center, but they can be 24 inches. At my home, the exterior wall studs are spaced at 24-inch centers, but the interior walls are 16 inches on center.

Do I need permission to remove a wall in my house?

In most cases, knocking down an internal wall will require Building Regulations consent, although there are times when it may not be required. When removing internal walls, Building Regulations will usually apply if they’re providing any protection in the case of a fire.

Do I need a structural engineer to remove a wall?



If the wall is not load-bearing, then it shouldn’t be a problem to remove, provided you know what you’re doing and take all the necessary precautions. If, however, the wall is load-bearing, you may need to get help from a structural engineer who can provide you with a structural engineer’s report.

Can you remove a structural wall?

You can remove either type of wall, but if the wall is load bearing, you have to take special precautions to support the structure during removal, and to add a beam or other form of support in its place.

Can a stud wall be load-bearing?

Of course, studwork can be used for load-bearing walls — in timber framed homes, timber stud walls are used everywhere.

How much does removing a wall cost?

The average cost to remove a wall will be $300 to $1,000 for a non-load-bearing wall and $1,200 to $10,000 for a load-bearing wall. The design of your home will also impact this cost, as multi-story houses tend to cost more, particularly if you are removing a wall from the bottom level.

What happens if a load-bearing wall is removed?



Removing a load bearing wall may create structural problems in a home, including sagging ceilings, unleveled floors, drywall cracks, and sticking doors.

Is it worth removing a load-bearing wall?

No one is going to remove a load-bearing wall because it’s practical. However, sometimes removing that one wall can make such a massive improvement over the home’s original layout that it’s worth the expense.

Who can tell me if a wall is load bearing?

You should consult with a building professional, such as a carpenter, architect, or structural engineer, to confirm that a wall is load-bearing or non-load-bearing. In most municipalities, a permit will be required before removing a load-bearing wall.