Benefits of Replacing Load-Bearing Walls with Columns and Beams

It is hard to imagine a space without a wall. You see it all the time on TV fixer-upper shows, but can this really work in your own home? The trick is to know which are load-bearing walls and where the beams are located to design a room around these obstacles. The benefits can be astounding.

What Can be Gained by Replacing Load-Bearing Walls?

There are many benefits that can be achieved by opening up spaces.

1. More light is available. When removing walls, you are not just relying on limited windows to stream in natural light. Your options for creative artificial lighting is also increased.

2. Open spaces invite better communication. Walls can add a barrier against carrying on a conversation with others. Face-to-face interaction improves social skills.

3. Homes appear more spacious. In addition to making a house feel larger, the value of a home is increased by tricking the mind into seeing more square footage.

Replacing Load-Bearing Walls
Design Alternatives

Load bearing walls are placed strategically throughout a home in order to support a second floor or a roof. Many times support beams are not attractive when exposed. New technology has provided an alternative to these massive chunks of wood with beautiful support columns. Some of the material used includes:

  • Wood
  • Rotocast fiberglass-reinforced polymer
  • Fiberglass
  • Cellular PVC

All of these materials are manufactured into creative designs that can withstand the weight of a home. Rounded or squared columns add prestige and architectural beauty to a room without a hint of disguising an unsightly beam. There are many different shapes to choose from.

  • Round
  • Square
  • Octagon
  • Tapered or non-tapered

Rejuvenating a House Filled with Walls
Contacting an Expert

Large open spaces is a design trend that is popping up all over the country. If you have an existing home that feels cramped, replacing load-bearing walls with stylish columns is a great alternative. However, this is no DIY project for the homeowner to tackle. Identifying load-bearing walls can be difficult. There may also be other hidden objects inside walls, such as electrical or plumbing necessities, that will need to be relocated. An experienced column installer can aid in answering questions on how to begin the process of removing walls.

Many architects and builders use Turncraft columns as a replacement alternative for opening up spaces. Speak with a contractor today and discover how you can create the look and feel that you always dreamed of in your existing home.

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