Many Utah kitchens hide structural demands behind the design. Along the Wasatch Front and in Park City, shifting soils and extreme weather can place stress on load-bearing walls long before a kitchen remodel is even considered. According to the Utah Geological Survey, expansive clay soils are common throughout the Wasatch Front. This can mean foundations and structural walls are more … Read More
How to Enclose a Patio in a Room Without Breaking the Bank
TL;DR: You can enclose your patio on a budget by using simple materials like screens, vinyl panels, or glass kits. Smart design choices help you create a comfortable space while keeping costs low and improving usability year-round. Enclosing a patio is one of the most practical ways homeowners add usable living space without expanding their home’s footprint. Rather than moving, … Read More
How to Reinforce Large Wall Openings in Older Homes
Large wall openings can dramatically change how an older home looks and functions, but they also introduce structural risks that aren’t always obvious at first glance. Many houses built decades ago were not built for today’s open layouts, and their walls often carry loads in ways that differ from modern construction and current structural design standards. According to the U.S. … Read More
Room Soundproofing: How Can You Soundproof a Room After Removing a Wall?
You often don’t notice how much a wall softens sound until it’s gone. Open up a space, and suddenly the kitchen blender competes with your living-room conversation. According to the 2024 Houzz & Home Study, home renovation spending has surged 60 percent since 2020, with the median project now costing $24,000, and more than half of homeowners spending $25,000 or … Read More
How Can You Manage Moisture After Removing a Wall During Renovation?
Take down a wall and everything changes: light, sound, the way a room feels. Behind that big reveal is a quieter change: how moisture moves through your home. A 2023 Hanover Insurance study found that plumbing-related water damage is seven times more likely than a house fire, even though most homeowners don’t rank it among their top worries. When walls … Read More
What Is the Maximum Size Opening You Can Cut in a Load-Bearing Wall
TL;DR: Want to open up your space by cutting into a load-bearing wall? The maximum opening size will vary based on your home’s structure and proper support. Always work with a structural engineer and licensed contractor to keep your renovation safe, compliant, and stress-free. Are you planning to renovate your house? If yes, you could be wondering what can the … Read More
Historic Home Renovation: What Utah Homeowners Need to Know About Removing Walls in Old Homes
Utah boasts many privately owned homes and businesses that have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Utah has 66 historic districts in both urban and rural communities, with hundreds of listed properties. If you own a historic house in Utah, you know that every creak and corner tells a story. That’s why historic home renovation is more than a … Read More
How Removing Load-Bearing Walls Can Improve Natural Light in Your Home
If any part of your house, whether the kitchen or a breakfast room, feels dark or cramped, the walls might be part of the problem. Many Utah homes were built with boxy floor plans and small rooms. That may have worked for the 1970s, but not today. Nowadays, people want homes with open-concept floor plans that feel bright, connected, and … Read More
What are the Dos and Don’ts of Structural Remodeling in Older Utah Homes
Are you thinking about opening up your living room or turning your closed-off kitchen into a bright, modern space? That’s a great idea. Open concept kitchen layouts are trending, not just in Utah, but across the US. But doing a structural remodel in an older home takes more than just a fresh coat of paint. If you live in Utah, … Read More
How Load-Bearing Wall Removal Can Improve HVAC Efficiency and Airflow
You can buy the best HVAC system money can get. You can schedule every tune-up, change filters on time, and even install smart thermostats. And still, your home may feel off. One room’s too warm, another’s too cold, and the system never seems to stop running. Before you blame the equipment, take a look at the layout: specifically, the walls. … Read More