Hi,
I'm new here... as you can tell from my post count! Though i've read a lot of useful info on this site
I'm planning a kitchen extension at the moment and will be knocking through the back wall of my house. It's an old terraced house - i believe from the late 1800s, and the external walls are solid and one brick length thick (i can't remember the term, but it's where every other brick is turned 90 degrees to tie the wall together).
Obviously i will require an RSJ - the opening will be about 3m and i have about 1m spare each side to support it. My first question is, how is the load from my wall (approx 200mm wide) supported by the RSJ which i guess won't be much more than 100mm wide? Or should i be speccing 2 RSJs for the job? I have spoken to a SE, but only in as much as i am sending him my plans so he can quote for the calcs.
Second question: I keep seeing people mentioning Strongboys or needles. Since my ceiling joists run perpendicular to the wall, are these needed? I would have thought i can spread the load on the ceiling with scaffold planks and acro those close to the wall, so the joists are supporting the wall above? In fact, since i am removing the plaster and lathe ceiling and putting new plasterboard up, i could place the planks directly under the joists without old crumbly plaster inbetween.
I am in 2 minds as to whether to tackle it myself at the moment... depends how much i get quoted for the job!
Thanks in advance for any answers and advice!
Simon
I'm new here... as you can tell from my post count! Though i've read a lot of useful info on this site
I'm planning a kitchen extension at the moment and will be knocking through the back wall of my house. It's an old terraced house - i believe from the late 1800s, and the external walls are solid and one brick length thick (i can't remember the term, but it's where every other brick is turned 90 degrees to tie the wall together).
Obviously i will require an RSJ - the opening will be about 3m and i have about 1m spare each side to support it. My first question is, how is the load from my wall (approx 200mm wide) supported by the RSJ which i guess won't be much more than 100mm wide? Or should i be speccing 2 RSJs for the job? I have spoken to a SE, but only in as much as i am sending him my plans so he can quote for the calcs.
Second question: I keep seeing people mentioning Strongboys or needles. Since my ceiling joists run perpendicular to the wall, are these needed? I would have thought i can spread the load on the ceiling with scaffold planks and acro those close to the wall, so the joists are supporting the wall above? In fact, since i am removing the plaster and lathe ceiling and putting new plasterboard up, i could place the planks directly under the joists without old crumbly plaster inbetween.
I am in 2 minds as to whether to tackle it myself at the moment... depends how much i get quoted for the job!
Thanks in advance for any answers and advice!
Simon