What to Know About Removing an Interior Wall in Your Calgary Home

Transform Your Space: Removing Interior Walls

Older homes weren't designed for today's lifestyles. Rooms often feel cramped, and kitchens closed off from living areas limit flow and functionality. Although private kitchens are seeing a slight resurgence, open-concept spaces remain highly popular. Removing an interior wall can greatly enhance your home's openness and appeal—but it's a decision that requires careful planning.

Is Knocking Down an Interior Wall Right for Your Calgary Home?

Before you begin tearing down walls, here are some key factors to consider:

What is the Cost of Removing an Interior Wall

Removing interior walls can be costly, particularly if the wall is load-bearing or houses plumbing and electrical wiring. Load-bearing walls, in particular, require structural adjustments to maintain your home's integrity. Additionally, removing a wall often means you'll need repairs or replacements to flooring, ceilings, and adjacent walls— increasing the overall renovation budget. For a rough estimate you can assume it will add $5,000 to $10,000 to the renovation costs.

How to Determine If a Wall is Load-Bearing

Generally, exterior walls are, and walls perpendicular to roof trusses in the center of older homes can be load-bearing. Closet and shower walls typically are not. To ensure accuracy and safety, it's best to consult a structural engineer. Rusch Design Build can assist in identifying load-bearing walls and coordinating with an engineer to validate structural changes.

Some things to look for: stick framed or engineered trusses, engineered trusses will generally span from exterior wall to exterior wall = interior walls non loadbearing, older homes that are stick framed will have support onto structural walls inside of the home.

walls below a 2nd floor - dimentional lumber floor joists may be transferring load down onto interior walls, if theres engineered joists they generally span further but do also transfer loads to interior walls depending on joist size etc.

do you need a building Permit in Calgary for removing a wall

Yes, removing an interior wall requires a building permit, particularly if structural changes are involved. Even if a wall is non-load bearing, Calgary city regulations typically require an engineer's letter confirming the structural nature of the wall for permit approval. Rusch Design Build will guide you through this permitting process to ensure compliance and smooth project execution.

Considerations for Your Interior Wall Removal

Think carefully about how the removal will impact your space:

• Furniture Placement: Will your current furniture fit and function effectively in the open layout?

• Storage Impact: Will you lose significant storage options?

• Utility Lines: Are there electrical wires or plumbing lines within the wall?

• Flooring: Can the floors be patched seamlessly, or will replacement be necessary?

• Workflow Changes: How will an open-concept space affect the way your family interacts and moves through the space?

• Kitchen layouts: you generally need some wall space for fridges, pantry etc.

Thoughtful planning ensures your renovation delivers exactly the results you desire.

Ready to Open Up Your Space?

Removing an interior wall can dramatically enhance your home's functionality and aesthetics. Rusch Design Build is here to guide you through every step of this exciting renovation journey. Contact us today to discuss your project and see how we can transform your Calgary home.