Replacing Steel Column With Stud Wall?

11 years ago

I am interested in replacing a steel column with a stud wall in the process of finishing my basement. There is a load bearing wall directly above the basement column on the 1st floor that supports the 2nd floor floor joists. It's not a huge space (under 12' wide) and I would like the door opening to be around 5.5' (please see the attached Sketchup plan). One thing I'm unsure of is will I need to do any concrete work under the new wall? I'm assuming there is a footing underneath the column... but does there need to be anything special underneath a stud wall?

If it is going to be more than determining the correct header and just putting the wall up, I'll probably just move the door opening over and use a 2x6 wall to hide the column. Though I hate to use 2x6's because the space is already so small...

Any advice would be awesome!

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Comments (7)

atv_freak
Original Author
11 years ago
This is the exterior wall...
atv_freak
Original Author
11 years ago
The other side...

Thanks!
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bus_driver
11 years ago
Have you considered locating the door to the side of the existing steel column? The drawing appears to show that as a possibility.
worthy
11 years ago
Transferring the point load of the steel column to a stud or block wall would certainly be possible. But to begin with, yes, you would likely need footings under at least part of the new wall. Either relocate the door as suggested above or get a structural engineer or architect to design a sound alternative.
atv_freak
Original Author
11 years ago
Yeah, that's what I was afraid of... I think I'm going to just move the opening over. It's not ideal but it'll work.

Thanks!
pprioroh
11 years ago
Exactly - that post goes to a footing. You can't just transfer that load to the slab somewhere. You can do it, but you'll have to jackhammer the slab, dig and pour a new footing and then make sure the new support is rated for the load/span.

Unless there is a crazy reason, I'd just move the door, you've got plenty of space to do so it appears.
Johnny Catchum
5 years ago
what is the program your using for the drawing>