Creating an open plan staircase

[Donovanflores]

Hi, I'm looking to open up the wall next to my staircase, as well as the hallway wall, to create an open plan stair/living room. I'm just wondering how difficult this would be, and what sort of work it would entail. Hope this all makes sense, I've got a floor plan to show where walls are etc, but can't figure out how to attach it.

 

[Deluks]

Potentially difficult, as these are likely load bearing walls, an engineer should be consulted. This will also likely cause you to fall foul of fire regulations, and may necesitate the installation of fire doors in other rooms in the house and hard-wired fire /smoke alarms.

What format is the floor plan in? (.jpg .pdf etc etc)

Go to forum information on the main forum page for instructions on uploading pictures.

 

[Richard C]

Technically anything is possible if you throw enough money at it; but as Deluks points out, you will run into all sorts of problems with fire regs. requiring additional precautions such as fire doors, integral smoke alarms, additional means of escape etc.

Post the sketches by all means but the amount of additional work you will need to undertake makes it a real PITA & if you do it without LABC approval, you will have serious problems when you come to sell up.

 

[Donovanflores]

thanks for that both, I've seen this done in a very similar house we looked at before we bought this one. The entry between our house and next door is next to the front door, so we have a good couple of feet more upstairs than downstairs. I don't know if that makes any difference in terms of the position of supporting walls etc. How difficult/expensive would it be to reinforce the structure if it is a supporting wall?
I've attached the floor plan, which isn't exactly the best, but gives you an idea of layout. Unfortunately not to scale, as I got it from the estate agents. Again, thanks for your time,
Don.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Untitled

• Donovanflores
• 14 Jun 2010
• 2

In terms of fire regs provided you have fire doors on the bedroom doors upstairs and their windows allow fire escape there is no problem. Obviously mains smoke alarms are a wise investment although not mandatory I believe.