Important Safety Notice
A wall should not be removed until its structural role and the required support have been properly confirmed.
The Structural Process Timeline
Initial Inspection
Structural Assessment
Engineer’s Design
Building Control Route
Temporary Support
Controlled Wall Removal
Steel Installation
Inspection
Fire Protection and Making Good
What Is a Load-Bearing Wall?
A load-bearing wall is an active structural element of a building. It holds the weight of the elements above it and transfers that load safely down to the foundation. It is important to understand that wall material or thickness alone does not reliably confirm whether it is load-bearing. Even timber stud walls can be load-bearing depending on the construction of the property.
Floors
Joists resting on the wall.
Roof Structure
The weight of the roof above.
Walls Above
Upper storey masonry or stud work.
Other Elements
Other structural components resting on the span.
How Is the Wall Assessed?
To safely determine if a wall is load-bearing, a professional assessment is required. This may involve:
- Site inspection
- Checking direction of floor joists
- Identifying walls above
- Inspecting the roof structure
- Reviewing existing drawings
- Conducting trial investigations
- Structural engineer involvement
Why Is a Structural Engineer Needed?
If a load-bearing wall is to be removed, a structural engineer must design the replacement structure. They will calculate and specify:
Loads
The exact weight to be supported.
Beam Sizing
Steel or timber requirements.
Bearings
How much the beam must rest on supports.
Columns
Vertical supports if required.
Padstones
Concrete blocks that spread the load.
Connections
How elements are bolted or welded.
Deflection
How much the beam might bend.
Stability
Of the remaining structure.
Foundations
Implications for the base where relevant.
Building Control
Structural alterations normally require Building Regulations approval to ensure the work is safe and compliant.
Application Route
Must be selected (e.g., Full Plans or Building Notice).
Submissions
Drawings and calculations may need to be submitted.
Inspections
Take place at relevant stages.
Visibility
Work should not be concealed before required inspection.
Temporary Support
The structure must be supported safely before the wall is removed. This prevents the floors or walls above from collapsing during the work.
This involves appropriate temporary works, careful sequencing, and the use of props and support equipment where specified, taking into account site conditions and the engineer’s or competent contractor’s requirements.
Opening Up and Demolition
Demolition must be controlled and methodical. Considerations include:
- Protection of the surrounding property
- Dust control
- Isolation or diversion of services
- Controlled removal of masonry or timber
- Waste handling and skip management
- Monitoring the surrounding structure
Steel Beam and Column Installation
Once the opening is formed and supported, the new structure is installed.
Supports
Beams may be supported on masonry, padstones or columns.
Connections
Some designs use multiple beams or bolted connections.
Access & Lifting
Access and beam weight affect installation methods.
Compliance
All work must follow the approved structural design.
Fire Protection
Structural steel may require suitable fire protection and detailing based on the Building Regulations design. This often involves encasing the steel in fire-rated plasterboard. The exact build-up depends on the project requirements.
Services Within the Wall
Walls often hide services that need to be dealt with before demolition. Appropriate qualified trades may be required to safely isolate and reroute these.
Making Good
Once the structural work is complete and inspected, the area needs to be finished. This covers:
Boarding & Plastering
Fire boarding and skimming.
Floors
Patching gaps and levelling.
Joinery
Skirting boards and architraves.
Ceilings
Coving and decoration.
Common Reasons Costs Vary
How Milano Manages Structural Alterations
Milano coordinates the agreed demolition, temporary support, steel installation, relevant trades and making-good work around suitable engineer’s information and Building Control requirements.