Putting French Doors In A Load Bearing Wall

Build the temporary load bearing wall by cutting a bottom and top wall plate from the stud material then cutting two end studs.

Putting french doors in a load bearing wall.

Need advice as to the whether to pursue the placement of a pair of french doors wall opening needed 82 1 2 x 62 1 2 in a 19 foot long 8 foot high load bearing wall which divides the familyroom and living room. If a load bearing wall has been removed on the first floor without proper support installed for the load above it. However if you know where to cut into the wall the project is quite. On a simple passage door in a non loadbearing wall a header made from a pair of 2 x 4s installed on edge is usually sufficient while a typical double patio door in a non load bearing wall might require a 4 x 6 header or a 4 x 8 header.

The reason why this project is so difficult is due to the potential danger a load bearing wall supports the structure so its absence through accidental destruction could lead to the room or entire house collapsing. Remember to lay the header into the space between the existing wall and the temporary wall. Lay down the bottom plate. I provide my plans to install a pass through window on a load bearing wall after discovering hardware for a pocket door spanned into the window location.

Measure 3 feet away from the existing wall on each end and mark the location and pop a chalk line. The house is 20 years old and the wall is drywall. Get a building permit two or three weeks in advance of beginning the project. If the wall is load bearing a temporary wall will need to built using 2x8 plates on the floor and ceiling and 2x4 studs at an angle to support any weight from the floors above.

Then the doors or windows on the floor above it may rub stick or not open because the framing in the wall that the door or window is in may have shifted. Inserting a door or window in a load bearing wall can be a tricky situation but not an impossible one. If in doubt consult a structural engineer.