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
What are Load-Bearing Walls and Load-Bearing Columns, and Which Can You Knock Down to Create Open Space?
TL;DR: Load-bearing walls and columns support the weight of your home and transfer it to the foundation. You need to identify them before any remodel, since removing or altering them without proper support can lead to serious structural problems. Who doesn’t like to have an open living room, bigger kitchen, or one big dining space? If you’re thinking of making … Read More
What’s the Difference between Shear Walls and Load-Bearing Walls
TL;DR: Shear walls and load-bearing walls serve different roles in your home. Load-bearing walls carry vertical weight, while shear walls resist side forces like wind or earthquakes. Knowing the difference helps you plan safe and effective remodeling changes. If you want to open up your home and get rid of old walls, you might run into words like shear wall … Read More
What Is Post and Beam, and How Does It Affect Load-Bearing Walls?
Open floor plans are a great way to bring in more light and space into your home. If you’ve been looking into open floor plans or thinking about changing up your Utah home, you might have heard about post and beam construction. Post and beam is a construction style that goes back hundreds of years, but it’s still popular in … Read More
Can You Remove a Load-Bearing Wall in a Townhouse or Condo?
TL;DR: Removing a load-bearing wall in a condo or townhouse in Utah involves added rules, including HOA approval and structural review. You need permits and proper support systems, with shared structures making planning and compliance more detailed. Townhouses and condos have long been a favorite among Utahns. Whether you live in Salt Lake City or Ogden, you might see these … Read More