How to Remove Part of a Weight-Bearing Wall

Locate joists with a stud finder to confirm that you're working on a weight-bearing wall. In most cases, bearing walls have perpendicular, horizontal, joists in addition to the normal vertical studs.

Consult with a building contractor, structural engineer or a building inspector to obtain any necessary permits and receive detailed structural information.

Mark out the area of the wall you want to remove with colored tape.

Smash away the drywall using a sledgehammer. Hit the drywall to crack it, not break it, and pry it away in pieces to avoid doing any damage to the studs and joists inside the drywall.

Look for any plumbing pipes or electrical wires inside the demolition area. If you find electrical wires or boxes or plumbing, you should consult with a professional before attempting to remove or move these items on your own. If you're moving plumbing or electricity, you may need to obtain additional building permits.

Cut a 2-inch bearing beam to the width of your opening with a table saw. The beam bears the weight that the removed area of wall can no longer support.

Cut six 2-by-4 pieces of wood to the same height as the wall. Place these three beams approximately 1 foot from the wall on either side of the opening, with one in the middle, to support the weight of the ceiling while you work. The other three beams should be placed in the same positions on the other side of the wall.

Cut the exposed wall studs inside the opening with a handsaw and knock them out of the wall with the sledgehammer. Pull out any nails that impede your progress with a hammer.

Measure the width of your bearing beam, and mark this measurement on two to four 2-by-4s. Each of these 2-by-4s will be spaced approximately 1 1/2 to 2 feet apart inside the wall opening.

Nail 2-by-4s to each marked 2-by-4 to create two to four vertical supports spaced inside the wall opening. The supports are double thickness near the bottom, singular thickness along the top to create a supportive shelf.

Place the support beam across the shelf.

Cut two more 2-by-4s to vertically support the beam at either end. Nail these support beams into the existing studs and joists in the wall that have not been altered by demolition.

Remove the temporary support beams, the nailed-together 2-by-4s

Remove the 2-by-4s that are bracing the ceiling; your support beam should now be capable of bearing weight.

Install drywall around the opening and paint to make the opening blend in with the wall.