A brainwave or a mad moment?

[meriad]

Saundra, I'm wondering if you can remove that whole big chimney breast; it's not as thought you've got a 2nd floor so hopefully the roof could be supported somehow else (if it's needed) given the chimney is against a central wall which probably is supporting. And will be interesting re that pillar in the middle if that can come out

[JanB]

I've asked Grumpy about that Ria.

I can come out, but he doesn't think that it would make much more of a difference. He likes the fireplace (I do too) but it's in keeping with the Alentejana style of house and for the amount of work involved and he doesn't think it's load bearing, it would leave a very large white wall.

And to have two free-standing fires wouldn't look too good and we need both going, when it's really cold.

[Workingman]

Jan, just thinking aloud....

If the wall behind the fireplace and the main bedroom, and the one in the kitchen between it and the second bedroom, are both supporting walls that run down the centre line of the house then that pillar might have a support function as well.

Taking it out might require an RSJ 'H' beam, to span between the walls mentioned. It's in an odd place just to be considered 'decorative' rather than functional.

[JanB]

That pillar has to stay WM. Even if it is in a slightly odd place.

The walls behind both fires are load-bearing, hence the pillar, to keep the rest of the roof up

[Workingman]

I thought that would be the case, Jan.

It would take a load bearing RSJ between the supporting walls plus reconfiguring some roof joists - been there, done that - a big job.

[JanB]

Well, I stand corrected and have just had a building lesson, Portuguese style

Only the wall with the fireplace is load-bearing. Apparently, there is a dirty great beam that runs from one end of the house (with the big window) all the way to the other end of the house, hence needing the daft pillar.

Now, if we'd have designed the house, would have done it differently, but we didn't so will live with it as it is.

[meriad]

Wonder if the people that built the extension of my flat were Portuguese as well

[Kaz]

More photos

[JanB]

Thanks Kaz xx

That's how it is now.

We're happy with it. I can read, away from the tv, instead of going into a bedroom to read. I have lights

[Kaz]

Love the log burner