🏠Buying & Renovating
Knocking Through to Open Plan: What to Check First
Removing an internal wall can transform a home, but load-bearing walls need proper structural design.
Marcus Ibe · Sep 19, 2026 · 7 min read · 4 steps
Opening up a kitchen and dining room, or creating a through-lounge, is one of the most popular renovations. It brings light and space, and suits how many people live today.
But walls do more than divide rooms. Some hold up floors and roofs.
Is it load-bearing?
Clues include joists running across the top of the wall, a wall directly above it on the floor above, and solid masonry construction. But only a structural engineer or experienced builder can confirm it. Never remove a wall on assumptions.
What removing a load-bearing wall involves
- A structural engineer’s calculations for a steel or timber beam
- Temporary supports (props) during the work
- Proper padstones or posts to carry the load down to foundations
- Building control approval and inspection
- Fire protection for steel beams where required
Other things to plan
Walls often contain pipes, cables, and radiators that need rerouting. Open-plan rooms can be harder to heat, so check radiator sizes or underfloor heating. Cooking smells and noise spread further, so a good extractor and thoughtful zoning matter.
This is general home-maintenance information, not professional advice. Building codes, permits, and safe practices vary by location — consult a licensed contractor, electrician, or plumber for work beyond your experience.