View Full Version : can a wall that's only upstairs be load bearing?
dynamo
06-15-2009, 02:58 PM
hi, i want to knock down an upstairs wall. This wall doesn't continue down to the ground floor so i'm wondering if this means it can't be load bearing? i'm hopelessly ignorant about this so any advice would be greatly appreciated!
many thanks
Terry
06-15-2009, 03:07 PM
How is the roof supported. That's also what you have to look at.
I wouldn't be taking out structure unless you have someone that understands carpentry look at it first.
iminaquagmire
06-15-2009, 08:12 PM
It could be carried by a beam in the floor that you can't see. Like Terry said, you need to know how the roof is built.
Scuba_Dave
06-16-2009, 06:56 PM
I've seen 2nd floor wall that was built to hold up the ceiling below
They wanted an open area below without a wall or beam
So it could be
Terry
06-16-2009, 07:31 PM
In one home I lived in, the "middle" wall upstairs was a bearing wall for the roof.
Some homes use a roof truss system that bears only on the outside walls.