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nora_smith7565

Are these columns around my window?

7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago

Need help. My DH and I are doing some renovations and we wanted to open up a wall to improve the flow. So we just opened the wall and we noticed 2 - 2x6 studs on either side where we used to have an interior window. i checked the drawings and there is no column showing in this location. does this look like a column to you? Help please



Comments (23)

  • 7 years ago

    No, that's a standard window install. How much construction experience do you have?

  • 7 years ago

    we don’t have much construction experience lol

    I goggled window wood framing details and I saw a couple and they would normally have 2 studs on either side one framing the window and one supporting it, I could find a window detail with 3 studs. This is why I panicked last night

  • 7 years ago

    Mt experience is better framers use two king studs and one jack stud on each side of windows and doors. Better to over than under support.

  • 7 years ago

    See you got some electrical in there, how experienced are you at altering circuits? I spent years learning construction/electrical from a pro in the family, yep I was the free help.

  • 7 years ago

    My husband is pretty good with the electrical work (he did that as a part time job while doing his degree and masters). for us the issue is all the framing and how to remove things. We broke the window and shattered when removing it from the frame. we still don’t know how to remove the rest of the framing lol

  • 7 years ago

    First make holes to assure there is nothing else (like water pipes) hidden in the wall. Did you make sure this wall is not structural?

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago



    Pardon my mess lol

    the beams run perpendicular to the “window wall” - see bulkheads on either side

  • 7 years ago


    This is the floor plan showing the columns

  • PRO
    7 years ago
    I don't see a header over the window which would indicate a bearing wall.

    Other solid posts away from the window show point loads.

    Do you also have a floor framing plan or engineering for the second level floor framing?
  • 7 years ago


    This is the second floor plan

  • 7 years ago


    This is the basement (it needs to be “reversed” this The only copy the builder gave me

  • 7 years ago


    This is the only “framing/structural“ drawing I have

  • 7 years ago


    This is the entire main floor plan

  • 7 years ago


    We just cutout a piece right next to the opening and we found the column (I think) 4 - 2x6

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    From my limited view, I expect floor joists running front to back to a beam supported by those multiple 2x6's which act as a post. The wall from that post to the corner including the "window" do not look bearing, BUT the wall intersecting from side to side is most likely bearing, as indicated by the header over the opening and the plans showing footings directly below, so do not remove it.

    The ceiling joists for the longer span may be larger, and the joists over the bearing wall may not be continuous, so this is where you get an engineer.

    Messing with bearings in the middle of a 3 story home is very complex. Get local expert help.

    Nora Smith thanked Jeffrey R. Grenz, General Contractor
  • 7 years ago

    Since there was once a window there, has your house been added on to? I have an interior wall, never added on to house, that has the same setup minus the window opening. It had paneling over it, which was removed and sheetrock installed. It is definitely a load bearing wall, in my house, and I suspect it is in yours too.

  • 7 years ago

    Hi. It was a decorative interior window. I’m assuming the designer put that in there to add light to the hallway...

  • 7 years ago

    It's not clear to me from your description what your total plan is. The framing to the right of the old window does not seem structural to me, but it's also a narrow space and it looks like you have steps right on the other side of the opening. Just how much of these various connected walls are you planning to remove in this area? Given your admitted lack of knowledge about structural details, I am afraid that you are thinking that it might be ok to remove more than is safe.

  • 7 years ago

    I just want to remove the window frame and the two studs on either side that are attached to make an opening from one side of the house to the other. I will get a structural engineer to take a look

  • 7 years ago

    Good plan, better to check and that's why I opened that can'o'worms. A floor plan can help to identify a load bearing wall but there are exceptions...

    Nora Smith thanked User
  • 7 years ago

    Agreed. I don’t want my house to collapse Lol

  • 7 years ago

    I am betting on there being studs behind the ones that are visible on the corner too.