How Big Of An Opening Can You Make In A Load Bearing Wall

This is one of the most common questions we get. People want to know: how wide can I go? Can I open up the WHOLE wall? Can I go 30 feet? Can I take out the entire kitchen wall?

The answer is almost always: yes, you can go as wide as you want. The question is what beam it takes to do it safely.

There's No Hard Maximum Width

Structurally speaking, there's no magic number where load-bearing wall removal becomes impossible. What changes as the span increases is the size and weight of the beam required, the complexity of the support at each end, and the cost. But 30 feet? 35 feet? We've done spans like that. It requires serious engineering and a serious beam — but it's doable.

What Determines the Beam Size

Our in-house PE calculates the required beam based on several variables:

• Span length — the width of the opening, measured between supports
• Load above — is this a single-story home? Two-story? What's the roof configuration? What's sitting above this wall?
• Tributary area — how much floor or roof area is draining load to this wall?
• Allowable deflection — how much can the beam bend under load without causing problems?

A 12-foot opening in a single-story home might need a double 2x10 LVL header. A 25-foot opening in a two-story home might need a W14x48 steel I-beam. The engineering drives the beam choice.

The Bigger the Span, The Bigger the Beam... and the Heavier

Here's the practical reality: steel beams for long spans are HEAVY. A W12x30 (our workhorse beam) weighs 30 pounds per linear foot. A 20-foot W12x30 weighs 600 pounds. Longer, heavier beams require equipment to set — not just muscle. We bring what's needed for the job.

Support at the Ends Is Critical

As spans get longer, the loads concentrated at the beam ends (the posts that carry the beam) get larger. Those posts need to transfer load to the foundation in a way the foundation can handle. For very long spans, this sometimes means installing a new footing or a steel column bolted to the foundation. Our PE designs this as part of the overall beam system.

The Short Answer

Tell us the span you want. We'll tell you what it takes. No guessing, no vague answers. We've removed 12,000+ walls since 2015 — we've seen your situation before.

DFW: 214.624.5200 | Houston: 713.322.3908 | Austin: 512.641.9555. Or request a free estimate.