How to Cut a Pass-Through in a Load Bearing Wall | Ask This Old House

[@ScorpFOZ]

I love them showing the vacuum being used to suck up the dust, then showing the other side where it's just flowing out all over the place. XD

[@harryl8234]

The vacuum is not used to suck up all the dust. It is used to minimize the cleaning later on. The home owners will still need to clean regardless.

[@mrfester42]

You really are an idiot aren't you?

[@zebra5591]

It's the thought that counts

[@totallynottrademarked5279]

This is why they make the filter bags.

[@APWoodworking]

Lmao. So true

[@Wof_master364]

Love this guy, very good at explaining what he's doing succinctly, makes perfect sense

[@SaltySparrow]

This is the one thing I always see in the older homes that makes them feel so boxed in. What an improvement.

[@Vanilla_Icecream1231]

yeah honestly if it was me i would get the whole wall removed

[@ktsterlin9304]

Agreed. I’m looking at buying an older home and I’m not one for renovations but I can’t stand those walls, especially boxing in the kitchen.

[@matoatlantis]

@@Vanilla_Icecream1231 It would be interesting to see how would one tackle demoing load-bearing wall down.

[@HaploBartow]

@@matoatlantis There are lots of videos about removing a load bearing wall here on KZbin! See kzbin.info/www/bejne/r2e8h3WvYpaboLM

[@John-vk4dl]

your east coast I;m west coast. I have been a Licensed General for over 30 years and that is exactly how I would have cut that opening. Great Job Tommy. You are a true Professional doing things right the first time. There is no substitute for experience and Quality.

[@adamcochran7950]

So magical how every time he goes into the next room, everything he needs is right there already.

[@stevenm4117]

If it wasn't, the videos would be 20 minutes long. Don't think he needs to walk you through "Go to your truck and grab the wood to create a temporary wall." Self explanatory.

[@adamcochran7950]

StevenM Stop and take a moment to look up above you. You’ll see the joke fly right over your head.

[@jerryxiong2858]

Love the way he opened the wall from living room to kitchen. Tom made it so easy with simple instructions.

[@cathybass4830]

Thank you! This was spot on, easy to follow, succinct, yet thorough instructions. We saw this video 48 hours ago. It gave us the confidence to tackle the same project ourselves. We completed the job in 6 hours. Would’ve been less time, but I had to work most of the time so I could only help set the shoring and hammer in the jack studs & and my husband didn’t have an extra helper. This video is epic. Thank youuuuuu!!!!

[@sophocles1198]

Why don't I believe this comment?

[@michaelkozik4707]

@@sophocles1198 I mean without calculating the load you wouldn't know what size beam the header needed to be.

[@gtarules1]

@@michaelkozik4707 and how did Tommy do that?

[@scotth6814]

I think it would only depend on the span. After all, there are only X number of studs holding that load up before. Now if you cut into the wall, and find reinforced and doubled-up studs, then they did that because there was an extra-heavy load there.

[@jbenz1990]

How much of the 2nd floor and roof collapse on you?

[@bethmorano1452]

Love the comments from the armchair builders. Thanks Tommy, this video is very helpful.

[@creatednordestroyed5339]

you really can't beat this old house

[@garingdahl]

A house that I'm familiar with actually had a load bearing wall completely removed. The ceiling had a noticeable "Dip" in it. After opening the ceiling to inspect, we discovered that ceiling joists were literally floating above the ceiling. It was painfully obvious what was done, thankfully, the house didn't fall in on itself. Replaced the wall and all is well now. It never ceases to amaze me what some people will do.

[@scotth6814]

That's why building permits are required.

[@mommychrissy]

@@scotth6814 not here in my city for indoor construction I was shocked myself 😆

[@AmythefirstA]

😬

[@clydebalcom8252]

I always enjoy the way Tommy Silva explains what he is doing and why.

[@RogueArcher24]

Cleanest most efficient tradesman I've ever watch! Good video.

[@davem6685]

He swings that framing hammer like a real man. Nice work Tommy.

[@davidrobins4025]

This Old House does very practical videos with excellent ideas about how to do the job right. Thanks for this one.

[@scinto23]

I wonder if he brought the Jenga set or showed up and was like "you guys got a Jenga?".

[@tkx7]

it's funny how he called it a board-game. I picture board-games having a board where each player advances a piece.

[@maxmiau]

@@tkx7 technically is a board game, but you got a fair point there

[@Carpenters_Canvas]

L J I’m guessing it was there for the kids to play with and he said hey here is a good way to explain it . Which is good , if your on camera . I highly doubt that if I was on a job estimate and I showed the homeowners the Jenga trick .lol tommy is an awesome builder love all of his work

[@PastorGooch]

Legit was thinking the same

[@LongHuII]

Could you imagine playing Jenga with that dude

[@jk0897]

I liked the blank looks as he was explaining things.

[@leroymorris6036]

For guys like me really enjoy the tips you give in your videos. Thank you.

[@kingrockstar555]

So helpful and after watching the video, I noticed I have the exact same layout of my house and was wanting to do the same with my wall. Thank you.

[@John-vk1ij]

How did it end up?

[@fewminutesfame]

What I love about these video's is how nothing ever goes wrong and it all goes as planned without issue or mistake! Great to see people have such great luck (insert sarcasm now)

[@shawnr771]

Nothing ever goes wrong those are just happy little mistakes if you are the Bob Ross if carpentry. I like this show because of the lack of theatrical drama on the reality shows.

[@CatMomForever]

Wish i could hire this guy. And wish it was still 7 years ago before today’s cost of lumber!!

[@dale8809]

Could be the Ambien talking but that looks super awesome. It really changes the look of that space.

[@nicholassmith82]

Tommy: "What you have is a load- bearing wall." Homeowner: "Seriously?" Tommy: "Yup." "There's nothing I can do." "See ya, asswipe." *end of episode*

[@JJDean976]

Id watch that show

[@RobertBarth1]

This made me laugh WAY more than it should have. Well done.

[@sam4142]

This made me laugh for a couple of minutes

[@puwazatza]

is this even a joke?

[@blk-00000]

and on that bombshell

[@entersandman801]

“This is perfect Tommy, Thank you” as the toddler falls through the wall....

[@zilfondel]

Ah, well it builds character

[@dvader3000]

He ll learn

[@entersandman801]

Colby Johnson it was a joke not to be taken Literally

[@otallono]

@Colby Johnson It's been 5 minutes, give him a chance... do you have a toddler? It's very likely.

[@shadowblack1987]

@Colby Johnson RELAX KAREN

[@polaroidwhite9037]

This guy is a master carpenter ....a very wealthy one at that

[@junkstough6622]

Ive seen Tommy make pass throughs about a dozen different times in the show, and every time its a treat.

[@deemail100]

you are such a great teacher...so much detail while still brief and to the point....my kitchen wall is coming out!!! I've wanted to take it out for years...and this is doable....I'm not sure whether it is load-bearing or not, but like your project here, I have a close opening that is arched, so I always wanted it arched to match...I will just treat it as a loadbearing wall and not worry about it. I am so excited!!!

[@Onemomentletmeoverthinkthis]

He makes everything look so simple! Thanks for this video!😊

[@99Cv]

I just started this same project in my house. Got one side of the drywall taken down. I will be following this video step by step!

[@luiselizalde6757]

Thank guys not only show the way to do it but, also the material,tickness, the size of nail, I mean it is excellent videos. Thank you guys.

[@obviousness8113]

A lifetime of experience makes this look easy. Tommy is awesome 👊

[@MAGAMAN]

It is easy.

[@urchin11]

getting nice curves in the finished corners is the hardest part of the job, would have been nice to see that done

[@brucewayne4585]

Tommy's a wizard.

[@Muscleupsanddangles]

Make a cardboard template from the existing arch, and transfer to the wall board on the new opening

[@xfreeman86]

@@Muscleupsanddangles what goes inside the curve though?

[@Muscleupsanddangles]

@@xfreeman86 I recommend using 1/4 Plywood which is flexible enough to curve. You can make several laminations and use wood glue to make your own custom curve and clamp it up. Alternately you can use plywood flat wise and transfer the curve onto it and cut it out and laminate/clamp. I think this is more work and unnecessary as it only needs to be strong enough to back your sheetrock, it isnt structural.

[@tombryan1]

Its a jig saw, what is so hard?

[@bg147]

I like how he fastened the horizontal 2 x 4 to the temporary supports. Due to my spatial relationship issues, I would never think of doing that.

[@d1bigshifter737]

Tom you make it look so easy you my friend are my hero!!!

[@shelbyhenney8048]

We have a nice open floorplan in our home and my husband wants to add a partition wall so here I am hunting on the internet for a way to make it look nice. It looks so much better nice and open!!

[@sidsid9808]

Partition wall would be a lot simpler. We added a partition wall in our 30 ft long living room to make a small office. We made a 2x3 wall instead of 2x4 studs just to save an inch.

[@mwrcrft]

Tommy's the man

[@rwallace1625]

He's he is. A true craftsman. Not many of those left.

[@chefmic1330]

I second that !!!

[@stevewebb7318]

@@rwallace1625 Your wrong brother there alot of them

[@lucy2beme]

Tommy is the OG of This Old House.

[@edsalinas9996]

I did this exact same thing to my place, boy were the apartment complex owners pissed!

[@infotechsailor]

Funny shiat

[@nultari1]

I tried this in my apartment, I found out my neighbors are unfriendly people

[@LC-mz7ev]

lmfao

[@varietyyachtsvessels6769]

This Is The Only KZbin Channel Where The Comments Are far Better Than The Video Content. Lol.

[@matthewstump7563]

😆 🤣 😂

[@fmartino100]

Hi Tommy, It's always fun to watch you work....Frank

[@bgrady24]

Did this exact job with my father in law a few years ago. Looked great but took longer than I thought based on this video. We had a water line we had to divert which was a pain in the neck.

[@benwoodruff2167]

CC

[@RobGaruccio]

Very helpful video. I followed your instruction and cut a hole in my load bearing wall. There were a few more obstacles, like a pocket door, multiple existing headers and a smaller opening that limited the maneuvering of slipping in studs and jacks. Thanks

[@joellee7274]

Great, now I am feeling confident and about to attempt modifying all of my load bearing walls. THANKS TOMMY!!!!

[@rubennunez2087]

Yea I wouldn't feel so confident after watching a you tube video🤣

[@rubennunez2087]

Watching a video is one thing doing it is another.

[@vincentdesiano4861]

He's a real pro! Great job, Tommy!

[@pinomarino8917]

What we're thinking of here, is to knock down the wall between your kitchen and living room to give you more of an open concept. - Randy Marsh

[@dereklull8212]

White people renovating houses.

[@rickt2419]

Another Lucky home owner had Tommy done the work for them; and we know that's another job well done with no worry about the house tumbling down one day like the Jinga.

[@jonathanklein1810]

Did anyone else notice there is an electrical line running along the bottom of the plate (up at the ceiling), where they are installing the new king stud and the header? Tommy notched the filler stud he put in for the electric line but not the new king stud or the header. Since the header is driven up tight against the plate, the wire would get crushed between the plate and the header (and the weight from the floor above) and cause the wires to short out.

[@短歌行-t6o]

Brilliant observation. I also doubt if it is up to code...

[@melaleucath98]

The header has a piece of plywood sandwiched in between which creates a perfect notch for the wire. It won’t be crushed. 5:05

[@riffdex]

Did they nail the header into anything? I know the Jack studs are secured to the wall framing, but is the header just wedged in there but not secured?

[@urendanger]

The room looks much better. good job

[@antifascist1]

Are you sure? You don't look sure.

[@memonavaramirez6261]

You look like you were wondering what is a load bearing wall. Get some jenga, jenga have the answers.😦

[@oldcountryman2795]

Actually no, it looks like a roadside diner now. “Mel, kiss my grits.”

[@IppiopaidFEEDBACK]

This was actually excellent! I would’ve never thought of preserving the drywall at the bottom, and his brace I learned something new. I wish you would’ve talk more about the screws, other structural screws? Normally they start the application called requires nails or structural screws. And there’s specific patterns you have to do to do to

[@terencemerritt]

GRK structural screws

[@helmet098]

Whats holding the beam in place other than the drywall? I know the jack studs are wedging it up but it's just friction fit?

[@biggiedickson]

Toenail maybe.

[@arbinnunez109]

A master ahead of his time

[@1806StoneHouse]

I like to make frequent trips to the refrigerator to feel more connected to my kitchen.. haha

[@sjgomes89]

That confused the shit out of me "we feel very disconnected from the kitchen" lol

[@Blox117]

just get a wireless smart fridge

[@chris15325]

Put in a beam and cut out wall..

[@clydebalcom8252]

I love to cook. So, yeah, mine too.

[@johnmartinez7440]

@@sjgomes89 What exactly were you confused by?

[@jgg204]

The whole point of closing off the kitchen in 1940's / 1950's construction, was so you could relax in peace while the wife cooked.

[@NewsBroadcasting]

good point . todays women/wife wont even cook instead they will be texting their exes as it seems these days its common mainly in western countries.

[@jmbootz]

@@NewsBroadcasting I feel like you kinda got the woman you deserved, if this is the case.

[@NewsBroadcasting]

@@jmbootz i married to two beautiful women that are both sisters i could not be happier

[@nighthawkj30A4]

Medic311 Best comment😎 i have seen here on This old House. And that’s facts too

[@nighthawkj30A4]

WN Continental Broadcasting yee rotate them out like fines cars through out the week. 👌

[@ahamadali6963]

If only Jerry and Kramer knew this, could have been living in a deluxe apartment. " Jerry, these are load bearing wall"

[@k-no058]

Does this mean you didn't need that Beam?

[@cmc5207]

LEVELS

[@k-no058]

@@cmc5207what do you mean LEVELS?

[@cmc5207]

@@k-no058I'm getting rid of all my furniture. All of it. I'm going to build these different levels, with steps. It'll all be carpeted with a lot of pillows. You know, like ancient Egypt.

[@VikingsSBBID]

Assuming this load bearing wall extends into the basement, would you need to beef up the joist down in the basement below the jack studs in this opening?

[@88KeysIdaho]

No, because all the studs under the sill plate of the upstairs would still be supporting the upper floor.

[@dzengerink]

I love watching these videos, to see how cheaply houses are build in the USA.

[@CodyStegeman]

?

[@rockysheep2294]

Houses in america are made of wood and drywall but here in europe they are solid concrete brick and metal

[@CodyStegeman]

Don't most people in Europe never own a home? Only apartments? Lol

[@wilkesjournal]

@@rockysheep2294 Probably because no one here wants to see it last 500 years.

[@karendavenport6824]

​@@rockysheep2294 The reason most houses in the US are made of wood is because the country has so many large trees and forests. Man has always used the materials that are plentiful in the area to construct shelter. Now as far as drywall, I don't know why people use that. My husband and I refused to use any drywall in our home because it is basically just plaster between two sheets of paper.

[@joshm3342]

Question: @3:27 you cut the studs off with a reciprocating saw (sawzall), then @6:37 you see the undamaged wall on the other side from where the studs were cut off. When I try something like that, the reciprocating blade cuts through the drywall on the other side. What am I missing? I wanna learn to do it your way Thanks!

[@RumCaptain]

"I know what kind of wall you have." "Oh look, a random Jenga game is already set up on the table."

[@johnm7251]

I did a similar job, but I notched the existing studs for the header, fitted the header, then removed the old studs. Worked perfectly.

[@mayolovesmaru]

Can you explain in more details what you did? How did you notch the header before removing the old studs? We plan to open a load bearing wall but not as tall as the one in the video. So it’s not likely we will put a header all the way to the top. Thank you.

[@johnnyshoe2229]

Why isnt this channel is with 1 million subs keep up the great work this old house

[@thisoldhouse]

Thanks, John!

[@dareisnogod5711]

Thanks, John for your creative though incorrect use of English.

[@mammothfilms]

He stated the stud on the right side of the opening was too far inside the wall to attach to. Did he just add multiple 2x4s to fill the gap? Is their snug fit the only thing keeping them in place?

[@tresslerj1985]

As if Tommy had to look at what type of wall. "Oh so we can't cut a hole in it?" "Hold on to your butts sunny, I'm Tommy Silva"

[@---cr8nw]

Yeah, it's pretty obvious when the same wall runs the whole length of the house.

[@davidcrowe4104]

Tommy is the best, My only question is would this pass inspection without nailing the king stud to the bottom plate?

[@PrimeSuperboy]

I could never let Tommy into my home. Once my wife sees what a man's man is all about, she'll never look at me again.

[@atroche1978]

😂😂😂😂😂LMFAO!

[@jakesmall3454]

Lmao

[@SirCallahan17]

Don't beat yourself up, bud. We all have our different forms of "sorcery." Your wheelhouse is in something else, that's why guys like Tommy are out there to help.

[@LovethisNation]

Props for being realistic 🤣

[@Eokeeffe]

😂😂😂

[@generalapps1399]

Love Tommy’s non-response when he’s asked do you get this question a lot.

[@DENIEL381]

THINGS ALWAYS GO BETTER WHEN YOU HAVE SOMEONE WHO KNOWS WHAT THE HELL TO DO.

[@DENIEL381]

LOOK HARD YOU CAN FIND IT.

[@carladee2736]

When you say finish w plaster work does that mean you line it w sheetrock etc or mud right over the wood?? I know a novice question but I had to ask...im currently doing this, not load bearing thank goodness.

[@wanttruth3876]

This was great. Thank you. Though I would love to see a floor to ceiling opening.

[@hadassahpeace4733]

Floor to ceiling is definitely possible, but there still has to be a header so you would lose the header room, but of course the opening would be bigger. Both are nice. I like how he rounded it so it matched the doorway on same wall.

[@GrampalettasCamp]

You might decrease it from 11.25” to 10 using an LVL beam but you need a properly sized header to bear the weight of the 2nd story and/or ceiling/roof

[@frost1236]

simple enough. gonna get my mom to help me this weekend.

[@chadbaxter5578]

What’s that foreign object on the wall at 4:23?

[@chadbaxter5578]

Jack Myhre the land line phone..

[@brandonj.1789]

Are there any videos out there on moving the electrical wires out of the way of the cut out, but keeping the outlets in-tact in the same location prior to the window? I started one at my house.

[@frooke2]

I like how they retained that curvature on the top of the opening. An alteration like this to a home should not look like it was altered and capitalizing on the existing design really adds a touch of class. How about a granite surface for that opening for wife to slide a beer across to the old man during the big game?

[@Luckingsworth]

That's a good idea! You can easily turn that section into a little bar top with some under corner brackets from the kitchen side. Very minimal space loss to create a lot of extra sittable counter area. And it perfectly looks in on the t.v. too.

[@joshm3342]

Or for wife to slide dirty dishes into kitchen so hubby can load the dishwasher?

[@felicytatomaszewska]

Wow, this guy explained it very nicely

[@troycarothers8254]

4:29 What is that corded thing hanging on the wall???

[@DJMARTIN73]

You young wipper snapper! 👴👵 😂

[@adnanmirza8171]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣....😪

[@taylordnd]

Looking at the window the previous homeowners put in and dreading my inevitable walk to it to make sure they have proper supports in place. Hope they do, because the rest of the wall that was to the left if it was completely removed

[@CallieMasters5000]

I bet that kid climbed through that hole and fell into the kitchen within 10 minutes. He was already going for it before Tommy could finish his video.

[@peep39]

Serious question: Don't you need to make sure the floor can support the concentrated load produced by the jack studs? If the floor is on a foundation, fine, but what if they are on the second floor there? Is a standard top plate good enough?

[@stevemurch3245]

If you look at the animated drawing, you can see that the load is carried on the header, down through the jack studs BUT THEN onto the sill below, which in turn redistributes much of the load across several studs below.

[@xcipherx371]

6:32 everything blowing thru the back

[@Cody_2914]

I love how he actually get's the family inolved

[@adamcosta4610]

Surprised that hammer wasn't leaving giant welts in the lumber

[@davidhall3747]

I use a Plastic Dead Blow Hammer. It’s more suitable and you don’t mar the wood.

[@keving3456]

did he close off a cold air return in on of the middle stud bays?

[@jfk139]

isnt that header hitting that electric line up above?

[@cup_and_cone]

Looks like the 1/2" ply was trimmed short on that side to allow the NM wire to run between the 2x's...making a channel. That said, it's still a pretty hack way to do it by the electrician.

[@Pallethands]

thechosendude A channel was there from the play but when they seated the board you can hear it hit the low voltage wire.

[@cup_and_cone]

pmcall221 - You're right. On second glance, it looks low voltage, maybe doorbell, so they _could_ do it that way although they _shouldn't._ No way those plastic staples were able to clearance... they were probably smashed as you say.

[@Guillotines_For_Globalists]

I highly doubt Tom would overlook this. He's a carpentry God.

[@bluegem6559]

I saw that too. What if it needed to be serviced?

[@abiusa]

How big can you make the opening? Is there a max width you can go? Tha k you ao much for the helpful info

[@lteht6919]

I just like how thumbnail makes dad look like Loki.

[@ryanshannon7703]

GOAT! How do you determine the thickness of the new carrying beam? I imagine it's proportional to the load over spanning distance.

[@rekostarr7149]

apparently 6ft = 6" 8ft= 8" etc. but if you live anywhere with snow add 2 so 6ft = 8", 8ft = 10" etc.

[@parallelburrito]

When i remodel my house I'm going to build walls to get rid of the "open concept." Living room will be nice and cozy with fewer distractions.

[@chrisfi3d]

That’s it. In a world full of distractions, why would a man want to invite more noise, heat/cold? I put a sliding barn door on a passage way from my living room and haven’t looked back (because there’s now a door in the way) since.

[@10p6]

Interesting to have a Jack Stud on a Sill plate, and also not having any support downstairs to transfer the King Stud and Jack stud loads off the bottom plate.

[@Sacapuntas69]

They didn't scream JENGAAAAAAAAAAAAA when it fell over!

[@wallywally3738]

Many people don’t even understand the level of skill and craftsmanship that is required to do this job and cut that opening to the exact measurement and not have to do repair work to the drywall

[@dalesworld1308]

So he just squashed that piece of romex above the header beam?

[@saigyl9149]

@@biff322 they put the header with those wires very visible there

[@illestofdemall13]

He cut a V groove in the stud and it looks like the plywood was cut shorter so there was a gap in the header for the wire.

[@mrbigcat9]

Why did you not add additional posts in the basement because of the load path change putting more load on the new king and jacket studs that supports the header?

[@Dredpath1]

Who did the electric? Scott Caron?

[@Dredpath1]

Ken Jones yeah man!

[@Aaronproductions]

Wish they showed him, cuz there hasn’t been electricity in here for like 10 episodes

[@jareds7969]

So right about that.

[@hyperuben]

They don't want people doing their own electrical work, you need a licensed contractor to do that AFAIK.

[@justinfiorini3142]

Not everywhere. You can do it in WA if you're the homeowner.

[@alpsalish]

Are those pieced-in studs just floating in the wall? The only access for screws was to tie in the studs on top and the compression fit.

[@hanskinslo326]

Tom Silva is awesome.

[@tidBITSofINFO]

As always a great video. Except I think the header beam should have been resting on 2 2x4s each side. One seemed a bit weak since they removed so many. Just my thoughts.

[@diyboomboxesintexas2805]

He did put two on each side

[@phantom2737]

5.42 did he just put that beam under that electric cable that was clipped to the wood at the top. So from what he said. The load is sitting on top of that cable that's between the beam and wood on top.hmm 🤔

[@MrJramirex]

It seems like he did but the plywood in the beam is recessed just enough to give the wire enough clearance. Was it enough or was the wire centered to not get squished? Who knows.

[@lucasrayala]

Looks like they cut a channel in the top of the beam, in addition to the recessed half-inch ply.

[@chrisgraham2904]

@@lucasrayala Wherever the home is located, I guess they don't have building codes.

[@andrewknowles9783]

What about the return air chase that was clearly in the center of the wall?

[@25psitsi]

The upstairs is not gonna get conditioned well if they didn't move this. What's even odder is in some of the clips it looks like there's a return air and in others like at 3:29, it appears like the top plate is solid. Also, it's best practice to use 2 jack studs on each end of the header IMO.

[@iSurajTwitch]

Since he had to bash the studs in, it must be a tight fit. Won't there be any issues like the drywall having a curvature?

[@mikepilcher1922]

Ma Ga you've obviously never framed. Of course there is resistance until the stud is plumb and even then it should be snug. Do you prefer to cut your framing just short?

[@iSurajTwitch]

Mike Pilcher thnx for the info, and yes, I have actually never framed.

[@redlense4]

Doesn't this also affect the load distribution on the floor joists? Does that have to be taken into account?

[@linvol20]

this video was sponsored by Jenga

[@davidmandziuk8493]

Had 70""in. of Microlam beam left over when I built a garage few years ago. Finished size 59"×45" exact same layout, separating kitchen and living room. Found a nice piece of Hickory to cap it off. Widened doorway thru kitchen, and raised header in living room (non load bearing) while I was at it. Really opened up little Ranch house, 976 sq. ft. full basement. House was built, finished in Nov '63 New project is gutting all fiberglass insulation in attic,...and exterior walls. Switching to Rockwool. Gotta air seal attic with fire rated foam. Not a licensed builder, worked a few years for a friend that is.