Raising The Roof Without Bringing The House Down

Open plan living has increased in popularity in the last few decades, adding a touch of space and style to our homes. In older houses that often have smaller rooms, it is still possible to create new open plan areas, by removing walls or extending rooms. However, before you take out the lump-hammer and start removing the annoying wall between the living and dining room, or knocking through from kitchen to utility, it is worth getting some support and advice. The latter will come from your local authorities building regulations officer while the former will most likely come in the shape of an RSJ.

So what is an RSJ?

Put very simply RSJ stands for Rolled Steel Joist. Sometimes incorrectly referred to as a reinforced steel joist, you may also hear them referred to as I beams or H beams. This simply relates to shape of the beams. An RSJ is constructed of steel in an H or I shape depending on which way you view the section of the joist. The joists are used in the construction industry to provide structural strength to a building. Modern steel framed buildings are created using a skeleton of RSJs, while when removing a load bearing or supporting wall an RSJ replaces the function of that wall.

So first things first will you definitely need an RSJ?

The chances are in most houses if you are removing walls, chimney stacks or creating new doorways you will need some type of joist. If the wall in question is a stud wall one constructed from wood, lath and plaster, the chances are that it will not have a significant load bearing capacity. In this case the wall can usually be removed without the need for an RSJ to support it. However, if the wall has been supporting ceiling joists these will take the increase in load possibly causing damage to plaster work. If the wall you are planning to remove is brick, stone, or block work, it will almost certainly be load-bearing.

Take some Advice:

Always employ a structural engineer, unless you are one, to calculate the load bearing capacity of the wall you are going to remove. Even if the wall is only a stud wall it is still worth getting advice on how to proceed as some stud walls will provide a significant level of support. Once you have the correct capacity required ordering steel joists is fairly straightforward. A good manufacturer will provide tables that allow you to easily calculate the size of joist you will need. European and British regulations provide detailed standards for both Universal Beams and Universal Columns an RSJ can be used as either a beam or column in construction.

Finding an RSJ Supplier:

As there is a large selection of standard sizes a good manufacturer will normally have a stock supply of RSJs. This will mean you should be able to expect prompt delivery. For specialist beams manufacturers will offer a bespoke service and well established manufacturers will normally offer a speedy turnaround on order, production and delivery. For a small domestic project delivery and installation should be straightforward however if you are involved in a larger build then you will need to ensure that you use a manufacturer who can provide specialist delivery equipment including carnage if necessary.

With the right advice from building regulations departments, a good structural engineer and a reliable supplier, installing an RSJ is a straightforward process and will ensure that your conversion or build is constructed safely and securely, allowing you to enjoy your new space in comfort for years to come.