Building an addition onto a brick house

10 years ago

I have searched around the site and can't find info on building an addition onto a brick house. Specifically, i want to know if I am I limited to using existing openings (doors, windows) to connect old and new spaces or is this just the most economical approach? If I want to expand my kitchen can the entire exterior wall be demo'd and if so how does the rest of the house stay upright?! I will of course hire an architect but I just want to understand the process a bit first.
Thanks!

Featured Answer

feeny

10 years ago

last modified: 10 years ago

You'll probably need to consult a structural engineer in addition to an architect, but there are definitely ways of taking down structural walls--usually involving putting a steel beam into the ceiling to replace the support you are taking away. We built a small addition to our brick house (circa 1920) where a screened porch used to be, and we took out part of an exterior wall to make the addition continuous with the kitchen. Our contractor hired a structural engineer, in addition to our architect, to consult on the support structure they put in place.

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Comments (10)

PRO
Ironwood Builders
10 years ago
maxdc, feeny is right...the only limitation we face in opening up structural walls is the budget. I have supported many brick facades while cutting out the entirety of a wall.
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PRO
Dytecture
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Agreed, anything is possible if you are willing to invest in the added cost to support a completely opened space.
elcieg
10 years ago
Interesting question. I have a cottage which is brick and was wondering that same thing. Does the construction of the roof have anything to do with brick construction? Are they typically truss?
maxdc
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks - thats what i feared - whenever anyone says "steel beam" I see my retirement fund evaporating! Guess we will have to see how creative a design professional can get without opening the entire exterior wall!!

Thanks so much for the info!
PRO
Vaneri Studio
10 years ago
Unless yours is a really old house the brick is just a veneer; it is not structural. It is no problem to cut through the brick to bump out an addition, it's done all the time. And steel really is not that expensive.
maxdc
Original Author
10 years ago
1935 house - brick construction, solid exterior walls.
PRO
Ironwood Builders
10 years ago
maxdc! Vaneri Studio is correct! Steel beams to support masonry walls are often less expensive than the wood beams necessary to support the weight.
delfa240
10 years ago
where can i find headboard
feeny
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
@maxdc: When we originally planned our addition we didn't intend to knock down the structural wall. We decided a little way into the job (at the repeated urgings of both our architect and contractor) that the space would be much more attractive and usable that way. So the structural work was an add on to the original estimate and, honestly, was not prohibitively expensive when factored into the cost of the addition as a whole. If I remembered the precise figures I would give them to you, but I remember not balking at the price.