in wall install with load barring wall

wetWolger · 05/01/2009, 09:53 PM

The way I am planning on installing my new aquarium is an in wall installation with a hole in the wall for viewing.

The only problem is that the wall I want to install in is a load barring wall. So my question is:

1) what does it take to make a hole in a load barring wall, is it much work?

2) has anyone had this kind of work contracted out, and if so I am looking for a very ruff estimate on what ball part for expense I should be expecting.

Thanks

thegrun · 05/01/2009, 10:18 PM

You will need to place a header (beam) above the tank opening sized to carry the weight of whatever is on top of it (think of the beam over your garage door opening). If you have a two story house, it will probably need to have a structural engineer design it, if it a single story, the rule of thumb is 1" of header per foot of span with a 4 x 4 a minimum size (ie an 8 foot opening would need a 4 x 8 header. You will need to brace (temporarily support the load) the wall/ceiling while you cut the opening and install the header. I have never framed a fish tank opening, but I would guess the member below the tank would need to be the same size as the header to carry the weight of the tank.

wetWolger · 05/01/2009, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by thegrun
You will need to place a header (beam) above the tank opening sized to carry the weight of whatever is on top of it

The thing is, there is already a huge beam at the top of the wall. I assumed that is why it was a load barring wall, because there is this massive beam at the top of the wall that spans the length of the building. And then I figured this wall was in part what helped hold that large beam up?

Sounds like it is a contractor job, hope it is just not too expensive

goochesfish · 05/01/2009, 11:34 PM

I am sure it will be very expensive since just my plain tank and stand is getting costly. Now that the tank sits in the living room hallway, my husband complains how much room it's taking and why can't we put it in the wall. My wall has earthquake shear walls and I have know idea what kind of structural engineering that will involve considering we just had a quake today.

Tedstan · 05/01/2009, 11:47 PM

It can be a good size job! I just put a 175 Bow Front in a wall so it would be the headboard of our bed. As thegrun said you have to put a header in, you need to be aware of any electrical lines that might be in the way, or any plumbing lines. You didn't say what size tank your wanting but remember you have to redo some sheet rock. You need room for your lights and your plumbing has to go somewhere. Please don't get me wrong, to me it is well worth it, but a lot of work. I tried to post a picture of mine on here but I cant figure out how to make my picture smaller.

firemedic0135 · 05/02/2009, 12:40 AM

To build your own header you can use 2x? sandwiched together with a 1/2" piece of plywood between the two 2x?.
How long of an opening are you trying to make?
4' ? 6'?
if there is a beam running the span already the wall is not likely a complete load bearing wall.More likely it is supporting the beam.
What are the dimensions on this beam you have?
Mabye some pics would help lol.
I had a construction buisness for several years while I was a fireman, so I may be able to help steer you in the right direction.

Typlus5 · 05/02/2009, 04:42 AM

Firemedic is spot on with the sandwiched 2x8/10/12 with 1/2 inch plywood....good advice.

Secondly, is that beam made of steel and sit on large pillars at the ends or better yet continue on the length of the building? If so, you may not need a header as this beam is actually carrying the load of the structure.

PAZE · 05/02/2009, 04:44 AM

What is the lenght of this wall, and how big/or how much are you planing to cut out? a few pitures wont hurt.

cdbias2 · 05/02/2009, 05:38 AM

firemedic0135 and Typlus5 are correct. I do this stuff for a living.

wetWolger · 05/02/2009, 12:40 PM

I wish I had the exact dimensions or a picture. But I don't live in the house yet (we close on the 15th). The next time I am there I will be sure to take good pictures of this though.

I don't know what the beam is made of because it is somewhat hidden inside the wall, I just know that it exist.

The wall is probably about 10 to 12ft long, and the hole I want is 6ft x 30in. My realestate agent (not fully qualified but knows more than me) said a hole should be able to be put there, just would require extra supports on the sides of the hole to hold up the beam.

I was mostly curious if this is something I can do, or if this is something I should pay someone to do. And if I am going to pay someone, I am curious on a ballpark figure of what it will cost.

Thanks for all the great input, I am anxious to close on the house and start this project.

Macimage · 05/02/2009, 03:04 PM

My husband cut our load bearing wall to install my inwall. He had to install a new header in the wall over the tank.

05/01/2009, 09:53 PM	#1
wetWolger Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,955	in wall install with load barring wall The way I am planning on installing my new aquarium is an in wall installation with a hole in the wall for viewing. The only problem is that the wall I want to install in is a load barring wall. So my question is: 1) what does it take to make a hole in a load barring wall, is it much work? 2) has anyone had this kind of work contracted out, and if so I am looking for a very ruff estimate on what ball part for expense I should be expecting. Thanks __________________ cheers, jent d-_-b Current Tank Info: 66gal = 32x24x20

05/01/2009, 11:34 PM	#4
goochesfish Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,305	load bearing I am sure it will be very expensive since just my plain tank and stand is getting costly. Now that the tank sits in the living room hallway, my husband complains how much room it's taking and why can't we put it in the wall. My wall has earthquake shear walls and I have know idea what kind of structural engineering that will involve considering we just had a quake today.

05/02/2009, 04:42 AM	#7
Typlus5 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Gonzales Louisiana Posts: 966	Firemedic is spot on with the sandwiched 2x8/10/12 with 1/2 inch plywood....good advice. Secondly, is that beam made of steel and sit on large pillars at the ends or better yet continue on the length of the building? If so, you may not need a header as this beam is actually carrying the load of the structure. __________________ TY I'm sure there's a way...and I have the will Current Tank Info: 110 Reef Savvy rimless, 40B sump, Current EFlux Return, XR15 Pros w/Reef Link, BK Mini 180 skimmer, MP40wES...driven by Apex

05/02/2009, 04:44 AM	#8
PAZE Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 224	What is the lenght of this wall, and how big/or how much are you planing to cut out? a few pitures wont hurt. __________________ Paul

05/02/2009, 12:40 PM	#10
wetWolger Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,955	I wish I had the exact dimensions or a picture. But I don't live in the house yet (we close on the 15th). The next time I am there I will be sure to take good pictures of this though. I don't know what the beam is made of because it is somewhat hidden inside the wall, I just know that it exist. The wall is probably about 10 to 12ft long, and the hole I want is 6ft x 30in. My realestate agent (not fully qualified but knows more than me) said a hole should be able to be put there, just would require extra supports on the sides of the hole to hold up the beam. I was mostly curious if this is something I can do, or if this is something I should pay someone to do. And if I am going to pay someone, I am curious on a ballpark figure of what it will cost. Thanks for all the great input, I am anxious to close on the house and start this project. __________________ cheers, jent d-_-b Current Tank Info: 66gal = 32x24x20

05/01/2009, 10:18 PM	#2
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	You will need to place a header (beam) above the tank opening sized to carry the weight of whatever is on top of it (think of the beam over your garage door opening). If you have a two story house, it will probably need to have a structural engineer design it, if it a single story, the rule of thumb is 1" of header per foot of span with a 4 x 4 a minimum size (ie an 8 foot opening would need a 4 x 8 header. You will need to brace (temporarily support the load) the wall/ceiling while you cut the opening and install the header. I have never framed a fish tank opening, but I would guess the member below the tank would need to be the same size as the header to carry the weight of the tank.

05/01/2009, 11:47 PM	#5
Tedstan Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ga Posts: 10	It can be a good size job! I just put a 175 Bow Front in a wall so it would be the headboard of our bed. As thegrun said you have to put a header in, you need to be aware of any electrical lines that might be in the way, or any plumbing lines. You didn't say what size tank your wanting but remember you have to redo some sheet rock. You need room for your lights and your plumbing has to go somewhere. Please don't get me wrong, to me it is well worth it, but a lot of work. I tried to post a picture of mine on here but I cant figure out how to make my picture smaller.

05/02/2009, 12:40 AM	#6
firemedic0135 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: East Tx. Posts: 147	To build your own header you can use 2x? sandwiched together with a 1/2" piece of plywood between the two 2x?. How long of an opening are you trying to make? 4' ? 6'? if there is a beam running the span already the wall is not likely a complete load bearing wall.More likely it is supporting the beam. What are the dimensions on this beam you have? Mabye some pics would help lol. I had a construction buisness for several years while I was a fireman, so I may be able to help steer you in the right direction.

05/02/2009, 05:38 AM	#9
cdbias2 Appalachian Reef Society Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Alum Creek, WV (No more) Posts: 1,433	firemedic0135 and Typlus5 are correct. I do this stuff for a living.

05/02/2009, 03:04 PM	#11
Macimage Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Quartz Hill Posts: 4,078	My husband cut our load bearing wall to install my inwall. He had to install a new header in the wall over the tank.