UPDATE 3: Framing
Framing up a Minnetonka Open Concept Remodel
We’re building the bones for new walls! New framing in this remodel reallocates space and creates a better flow for this family’s lifestyle. On the main floor, the kitchen and den are moving. We’re also widening the opening between the new kitchen and living room. Near the garage, on the first floor, we’ll turn the second stairway into a closet for the new mudroom. Upstairs for the new primary bedroom, we’re framing a new walk-in closet and en suite bath.
Structural Engineering Creates an Open Concept Floor Plan
We’ve all seen the reality remodeling moment when they want to knock down a wall, only to find out during demo (cue surprised look) it is load-bearing. This shouldn’t be a surprise that pops up in the middle of construction. At White Crane, we make a plan before construction starts for any structural changes laid out in the new design, enlisting help from engineering experts. For this whole house remodel, structural engineering is required to achieve some elements in the new design. Widening the opening from the new kitchen to the living room requires adding a beam that disperses the structural load to the outside of the span called a structural header. To vault the ceiling, we’re installing a new ridge beam, sistering 2 x 6s to the existing rafters, and adding posts leading down to the load points to hold up the roof. All of this structural work helps us safely create a more wide-open feeling floor plan.
Framing the Bath & Walk-in Closet in the New Primary Bedroom Suite
The house originally had a redundant stairway to the second floor next to a small powder room. We sealed the stairway up and demoed the powder room, creating extra square footage to build the new walk-in closet and larger, full en suite bathroom. Framing a bathroom is slightly different than framing other areas of the house. We’re not only creating walls but framing for the shower stall and making room to run all the plumbing. Now that we’ve finished the framing, we’re ready to start electrical and plumbing rough-ins.
