Submitted by Lostscout84 t3_11ung6j in DIY
House is made of cinder blocks. There a small wall built in the entry way between the main house and an attached room to the main house, so the entry way width is roughly 10-12”. I want to remove the added framing and return the entry back to its original size.
Currently, there is 2x4 framing added to the entry wall. I believe the purpose was to narrow the entry way to add a door for more efficient heating. Underneath the 2x4 wall, there is old laminate. I assume this means framing wasn’t always there and at one point it was considered “safe” to not have this framing.
As far as I can tell, the current 2x4s aren’t bearing any weight currently and acts as framing for sheetrock. It wiggles free and the only sit on half of the door header. Additionally, the way the 2nd floor and roof line is structured, there is no additional 2nd floor cinder block or roof structure weight sitting on the corner of the entry way where the 2x4s are
Based on the old laminate flooring and fact that the 2x4 don’t seem to be baring any weight, I think this should be ok.
My concern is that the way the entry way is built. It doesn’t appear the metal header built into the cinder block wall spans the entire length. Instead, they added 2x8 framing as support for this section.
If I remove this, I will add a single 2x10 to the old entry way for adding support to the current header and for framing sheetrock.
Would this be safe to do?
Edit: There is 2x10 at both sides of the entry way which is holding up the additional 2x10 wood header spanning the entire length.
Edit #2: Based on comments below, I've decided that it's not worth the money and time to save ~5 inches of an entryway. While I agree with some that it's most likely save to remove it's a gamble id rather not make without a professionals opinion.
Thanks everyone!
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BZ2USvets81 t1_jcoxssk wrote
Based on your description and the photos I think you would be fine removing the framing box and adding another wide stud (you mentioned 2x10). You could probably find a structural engineer who works with architects you could pay for an hour to come look and give you professional advice. IMO it would be worth the cost for the peace of mind. I've done a lot of work like that but I would not modify structural work on a living space without an engineer's input.