Walls and Ceilings - knocking out a wall

I would like to knock a wall out between my living room and dining room. I want to leave a header and I don't want to remove the wall all the way to the corner. I have viewed the tutorial, but, it doesn't cover these areas.
Can you help me?
Thanks

I am sure that we can help.

Is the wall you want to open a load-bearing wall?

I have determined that the wall is not a load bearing wall.

Welcome to the forums, lots of good advice around here, like Chris said, I'm sure we can help you out. Determining whether or not this is a load bearing wall is critical to deciding how to go about this job. Check the tutorials on the home page, I think there's one in there on determining this issue, if not post back with your questions and we'll get you some answers. ;)

Can you give me more specific info on determining if the wall is load bearing. Let me provide you with the information I have availiable. I have the original home specifications and it is stating single plate on bottom and double plate on top each wall or partition. Plus, this is a one level home with a small attic and a crawl space underneath. Do you think it is safe to assume then that it is a non weight bearing wall?

I'm confused Matti, have you determined this is not load bearing or are we still trying to decide? If we're sure it's non-load bearing, this will be pretty straight forward, tear out the wall, repair the ceiling & floor, & you've got a whole new look.

If this wall is perpendicular to the ceiling joists most likely a load bearing wall.

I know I stated earlier it was not a load bearing wall, but, after some more research I'm not sure weather it is or not. So, no I do not know for sure.

What Coops said is a good general rule that you can't go wrong with. If that's the situation, you'll have to provide a header and proper support to absorb the load of the wall.

Have you looked at the "Knocking Out a Wall?" link on this page http://www.doityourself.com/wall/index.htm

How's the wall project going Matti?

Well, I'v tore into the wall. I still don't know if it is a load bearing or not. But, I'v decided to leave a header and at least one support beam. I plan to frame the beam and the header in with wood. Does the sound like it will be the right support if I even need it?

Sounds like you're on the right track. How long is this wall?

the wall is about a total of 22' wide. It already has a 3' opening where the was a door at one time. One the wall is removed the wall will be as follows: 7' wall then a 12' opening (including the 3' opening that is already there) then 3'6" wall. So I plan to remove about 9' of wall. I hope this is OK, my husband is about ready to kill me. I'v taken on many household projects before, but, this is by far the biggest yet.

Any chance you've got a digital camera that you could take & post some pics of this project so we can take a look at what you've got going? Really like to say this isn't a loadbearing wall, but I'd find it hard to believe that a 22' wall isn't bearing some load.

If this is load bearing wall & you want to open up a 9' section, I'd want 2"x10", or better yet 2"x12" used as a header to span the opening. I always error on the side of caution in these matters myself. Don't like surprises coming back to bite me in the butt. BTW, you're gonna need some help to get the header into place.

ok i'm getting some pictures with my digital camera. It may take me a while to download them. I'm not too familiar with the camera yet. I thought I'd let you know also that the wall is running parallel to the attic joists. This is a one level home with a low attic that you can't stand up in, if this makes any difference.

Pics will be great, unfortunately you can't post them here. You'll have to post them elsewhere on the web & post a link here. Yahoo has the service and I use a service called snapfish.com.

anyway I got called out to work as I started to take the pictures. In the meantime someone stated that if the wall is running parallel to the ceiling/attic joists, then it would be bearing much of a load and it shouldn't be a problem. What is your opinion?
Thanks

if the walls is running parallel than it is not load bearing. From the description of your house and wall it sounds to me like it is a load bearing wall and the joists sit on the wall. You can still do what you want and it sounds like you know what you have to do.

Like I stated before, hard to imagine a 22' wall that isn't supporting anythng. Go ahead & post your pics.