Walls and Ceilings - Removing built-in entertainment center wall
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vetsac
11-14-06, 08:34 PM
Hi all,
In my house (which is 10 years old) I have a living room wall that has a built-in entertainment center (drywall/gypsum board is the material that forms it). A photo of the existing ent. center wall is here:
http://members.cox.net/vetsac/wall.jpg
As you can see from the photo, the built-in ent. center limits the size of a TV (and other items) I can have. Thus, I'd like to remove the entire ent. center so this living room wall is flat, and I can then bring in any size TV or custom entertainment center I choose.
My experience with home improvement projects like this is minimal, so I'm wondering what obstacles or issues I might face.
Is a project like this as simple as cutting out the existing drywall shelving/flooring with a reciprocating saw and patching the original wall (and of course getting new carpet)?
Or would I end up having to rip out the entire drywall (after cutting out the shelving/flooring) down to the studs, then hang a whole new section of drywall to make this wall flat?
Judging from the design of the house, I am assuming this wall is a load-bearing wall. Since I would not be removing any studs or joist (just the drywall), are there any potential structural issues I might face in a project like this?
Thanks for any thoughts you might have!
In my house (which is 10 years old) I have a living room wall that has a built-in entertainment center (drywall/gypsum board is the material that forms it). A photo of the existing ent. center wall is here:
http://members.cox.net/vetsac/wall.jpg
As you can see from the photo, the built-in ent. center limits the size of a TV (and other items) I can have. Thus, I'd like to remove the entire ent. center so this living room wall is flat, and I can then bring in any size TV or custom entertainment center I choose.
My experience with home improvement projects like this is minimal, so I'm wondering what obstacles or issues I might face.
Is a project like this as simple as cutting out the existing drywall shelving/flooring with a reciprocating saw and patching the original wall (and of course getting new carpet)?
Or would I end up having to rip out the entire drywall (after cutting out the shelving/flooring) down to the studs, then hang a whole new section of drywall to make this wall flat?
Judging from the design of the house, I am assuming this wall is a load-bearing wall. Since I would not be removing any studs or joist (just the drywall), are there any potential structural issues I might face in a project like this?
Thanks for any thoughts you might have!
marksr
11-15-06, 05:12 AM
Welcome to the forums
While it is possible to remove the shelving and patch the remaining drywall, it would be easier to remove/replace all the drywall.
There shouldn't be any structual issues. The only part that could be load bearing would be the 2 posts that go from floor to ceiling but it is highly unlikely that they are load bearing.
While it is possible to remove the shelving and patch the remaining drywall, it would be easier to remove/replace all the drywall.
There shouldn't be any structual issues. The only part that could be load bearing would be the 2 posts that go from floor to ceiling but it is highly unlikely that they are load bearing.
vetsac
11-15-06, 08:05 AM
Thanks for the reply! Any idea on how much a project like this might cost me as a DIY project, versus hiring a contractor to do the job? The wall is 14' (w) x 10' (h)...
thezster
11-15-06, 08:10 AM
Couple of hundred $$ vs. couple of thousand $$...
chris8796
11-15-06, 09:58 AM
Take out all the drywall and replace with full sheets. Before covering the wall, think about electrical, cable, phone and other needs on this wall.
The biggest pains associated with this project will be dust control and hauling away 500 lbs of debris.
It is kind of an odd setup, I think I'd tear it out too.
The biggest pains associated with this project will be dust control and hauling away 500 lbs of debris.
It is kind of an odd setup, I think I'd tear it out too.
ChipJ29
11-15-06, 10:52 AM
Wow, that is an odd setup. If that is made of drywall, I couldn't imagine the amount of work that had to go into that, with all the seams and joints that would need to be mudded/taped/sanded.