Wall opening: Instructions & Tips
Two become one, small become large: By creating a wall opening, you can design your home exactly as you wish. Get out the sledgehammer and go straight through the middle? Better not! We offer tips for load-bearing and non-load-bearing walls. We'll show you what to look out for, what costs to expect, and which tool will best help you with your DIY “wall opening” project.
Checklist for the wall opening: You should clarify that beforehand
- Written permission if you live in the rented accommodation
- Construction plan of your house
- Structural assessment
- Possibly building permit
You can find the construction plan at the local building control office. This will show you which walls are load-bearing, where the pipes and cables run, etc. A building permit is required if:
- the wall opening affects a load-bearing wall,
- it is an exterior wall,
- the building is a listed historical monument.
Our tip: Always play it safe when undertaking a major construction project like the wall opening! Coordinate with the local building authority and structural engineers. This not only saves from unpleasant surprises, but also from the environmental restoration obligations or heavy fines.
Load-bearing vs. non-load-bearing wall—how to tell the difference
Only a structural engineer can assess what type of wall it is. However, there are general rules. The load-bearing walls typically include:
- Exterior walls
- Wall thicknesses from 17.5 cm
- Masonry walls from 11.5 cm (from year of construction 1990)
It gets more complicated with the older buildings; the expert advice is particularly important here. You can usually recognize the non-load-bearing walls by their sound: If it sounds hollow when you tap on it, it's probably a plasterboard partition, which you can generally remove easily—provided there are no pipes in the way!
What tools for a wall breakthrough?
For breaking through a wall, you'll need to bring out the big guns. The most important power tools and hand tools are:
- Rotary hammer: A tool with serious power for solid masonry
- Sledgehammer: When it comes to the heavy-duty work – perfect for the initial breakthrough
- Angle grinder (with diamond cutting disc): For cuts in plasterboard or lightweight blocks
- Hammer & chisel: The experts for fine-tuning and lighter materials
- Core drill: For precise, circular openings for pipes
Tool tip: For thin walls made of plasterboard or similar building materials, your hammer drill should have an impact energy of 10 to 20 joules; for the thicker walls, 20 to 50 joules are necessary.
How to Make an Opening in a Non-Load-Bearing Wall: Guide & Tips
Creating an opening in a load-bearing wall is a job for the professionals. For a non-load-bearing wall, here’s how to proceed:
- Tools: Get your tools ready and put on your work gear (ear protection, safety goggles, protective clothing, work gloves, safety shoes).
- Cover adjacent rooms with plastic sheeting – including floors, walls and furniture.
- If necessary, mark out the opening – especially for a door or window. Be a little generous with your measurements.
- First, chisel off the plaster with a sledgehammer or rotary hammer, then switch to the drill function. Drill a hole every 5–10 cm along the line of the opening.
- Remove the rubble, install doors or windows, and plaster the opening – for example, with drywall elements or plaster. Fill any gaps with expanding foam or cement.
Wall opening: Calculate the costs correctly
How much the wall opening will cost you depends on many factors. There are various calculations, which depend primarily on whether you hire professionals or do the work yourself. In addition, the labour costs of specialists, transportation costs, the cost of moving pipes, etc. are taken into account. Get an estimate on site and compare the offers. Don't just focus on the final price, but above all on the scope of services!
