Take Down a Wall?

Next to "Is there hardwood under that carpet?" the second most-popular question among homeowners must be: "Can I take down that wall?"

Taking down walls means serious home remodeling is happening--it's more than just a covering-up of surfaces. It means a total transformation of rooms and your home in general. But, as you might guess, wall removal can result in a serious weakening of your house's structure.

Q: Can I Take Down an Exterior Wall?

No. Exterior walls are almost always load-bearing and cannot be taken down without seriously weakening the structure of your house.

If you do take down an exterior wall, significant shoring-up is required to maintain your house's strength.

• Can I Take Down Closet Walls?
• Can I Take Down Basement Walls?
• Can I Take Down an Interior Wall Running the Length of the House?
• Can I Take Down a Wall Running the Width of a House?
• Can I Take Down an Attic Wall?
• Can I Take Down a Wall Which Divides a Room?

Disclaimer

These are not rules for taking down a wall; nothing here is an absolute. Rather, this article aims to provide clues for your detective work in deciding whether a wall can be removed in a one-floor house with basement. Only a licensed and experienced contractor and/or structural engineer can determine if a wall within your house can be taken down.