create an opening in a brick wall

[anna01]

Hi All

I've been reading through this very helpful forum and was wondering if you could clarify a few things for me with regard to creating an opening in a brick wall.

The wall sits between my kitchen and living room. I'd like to make an opening in it (2.5m x 1m rough measurements) to act as a bar area and also let more light into the living room.

I think the wall is load bearing as the wall on the first floor is directly inline with this one.

Heres a pic!

Untitled

• anna01
• 18 Jan 2010
• 1

Im sure i'll need a lintel but i dont know what kind.
Also i read somewhere that the wall will need to be supported (needles?) whilst the lintel is being installed, is this correct?
Do i need planning permission?

I'd just like to know the process of making the hole so that i know what the builder is talking about when i get a quote for this!

Many thanks!

Anna

 

[DevilDamo]

Depending on where the house is located (i.e. within a conversation area, etc...) will determine whether or not planning permission is required. If it is a load-bearing wall, Building Reg's will be required.

It may be worth your while getting a structural engineer on board because they should be able to prepare calculations/details for this new beam, which will be used to take the weight above. The Building Reg's department would also like to see these calculations.

 

[jeds]

You don't need planning but you do need building regs.

You will need a steel beam over. The size of the beam depends on the loading above. Sounds like it will be the first floor wall at least but it could also be part of the floor and possibly the roof as well - so this needs to be checked.

The builder will need to support everything above whilst knocking out the space for the steel beam. A common way of doing this is inserting needles held up with props.

Building control might want calculations for the steel beam. In which case you will need to employ a surveyor or engineer. I do loads of these and the average cost for a simple beam is £175 to £225 including beam design and calculations. Get somebody local and if they quote more than that give them a miss.

 

[DevilDamo]

You don't need planning

Unless it's a listed building.

 

[noseall]

You don't need planning

Unless it's a listed building.

Who's gonna know?

 

[jeds]

You don't need planning

Unless it's a listed building.

I'll bet you five hundred squids it's not.

 

[bongobus]

is this allowed - shouldnt the return on the right be 550mm as per the regs ?

the rear is a flat roof extension, the kitchen area would have originally had a single opening door, this is a 2 storey house with this being the back holding a first floor

 

[Nige F]

is this allowed - shouldnt the return on the right be 550mm as per the regs ?

the rear is a flat roof extension, the kitchen area would have originally had a single opening door, this is a 2 storey house with this being the back holding a first floor

Maybe it was just a large window or a door with a window either side looks like a typical 60s/70s "feature window" opening .