Interior door frames

theone8181 · 22 Nov 2019 at 13:01

We have a modernish house- built in 1996. I'm looking to open up a wall which previously house a set of double doors. The wall itself is approx 6" thick, am i right in thinking that the actual door frame isn't structural, i've had a guy in about an extension i'm planning and he seemed to think it was fine, but wasn't sure how much of the wall can be removed. I realise this is a bit of an ambiguous question.

Peerzy · 22 Nov 2019 at 14:16

An interior door frame won't be structural unless it's made of metal (used in some builds in the late 50's). A standard wooden door frame (like one from a house in 1996) won't be, however it may have a lintel above it which may need to be replaced / factored in if you are removing the wall (as the wall will be supporting the lintel which will then be supporting whatever is above.

Mercenary Keyboard Warrior · 22 Nov 2019 at 15:17

Yeah as osted above

The door frame won't be structural its just trim. There will be a lintel above a set of double doors pretty much 100%, unless its a stud wall above and hence non structural
If its 6" its on the edge, and could be simply a thick stud.
Do you know if its hollow or got brick or block or anything inside?

On houses from that time the structural parts will probably have a block wall inside with plasterboard facing. The non structural will be timber/metal stud coated in plasterboard

In any case if it needs a lintel, other than being a bit messy and needing a pro, its relatively simple and cheap

The only time lintels work generally starts getting expensive is when you want the space showing no sign of the old wall etc (ie nothing still at ceiling height or possibly a stub each side of the room)

theone8181 · 23 Nov 2019 at 07:00

Yea, i'm assuming a wooden lintel, but i wondered how much i can take away without causing issues. I am changing some light fittings in the wall so that might give me an idea.

Derek W · 23 Nov 2019 at 11:20

theone8181 said:
Yea, i'm assuming a wooden lintel, but i wondered how much i can take away without causing issues. I am changing some light fittings in the wall so that might give me an idea.

The lintel will be sized for the door opening and will have either one or two cripple studs to support it. You won't be able to take any more out without putting a new lintel over to the size you want.

theone8181 · 23 Nov 2019 at 19:39

Pringle W said:
The lintel will be sized for the door opening and will have either one or two cripple studs to support it. You won't be able to take any more out without putting a new lintel over to the size you want.

Ok cheers, may just remove the (door)frame and skim the plaster to make it look 'OK'.