Removing a stud from a bearing wall

[Moliere]

I'm looking to put some recessed shelving into our game room upstairs. I want the shelving to house the entertainment stuff (DVD player, Wii, etc.) and I was hoping to be able to fit it all in between studs. Looks like that's not gonna happen since our DVD player is wider than 15 inches and frankly I'd prefer a bigger area of shelving. We'll then mount the TV on the wall above the shelving.

The wall is a bearing wall. Behind the wall is our walk-in attic, which makes the project that much easier since I can easily work on the project from both sides of the wall, plus I already know there isn't any plumbing or wires in the section I want to take out.

So my question is, can I simply cut the stud about 5 feet from the floor, put in a header and put in two studs (one on each end) to hold up the header and basically not hurt the structural integrity of the wall? The wall basically runs from the second story floor to the roof, but we don't get any abnormal weight on the roof (like snow, this is Houston after all) and I figured winds aren't an issue since the wall isn't exposed to the outside.

Thoughts?

[FN Phat]

You would be fine installing a header and adding a jack stud on each side. Sounds like a fun project. Post pics.

[Shaka]

FN Phat with the right answer. I'm doing something similar.

[Moliere]

The project is progressing, but not without its surprises.

When I took the insulation off the wall there was an electrical cord running through the studs. It was about 35 inches off the floor, which was right in the middle of the area I wanted to recess. I had two choices that I could think of: 1. keep the cord in place and build basically have the shelf in the middle of the box hide it (basically build the shelf around the cord) or 2. move the cord to go under the box. I chose option 2 but I don't think I have enough slack in the cord to do what I want so now I'm going to either have the junction box in a place I don't want or I'll have to extend the electrical cord somehow.

I'm trying to decide if extending the electrical cord is worth it. I think the only way to do this (and comply with building code) is to put in a junction box but I'm not sure how easy that is to do. I bet I could do it, but when it comes to electrical stuff I always get nervous. I've wired a couple ceiling fans, but I've never done a power cord in the wall. It seems easy, but I just don't want my house burning down. Anyway, I'll probably call my friend that is a lineman (and building his own home) to see what he thinks and possibly have him help me do it. I'd rather get the project exactly how I want it rather than settle for mediocrity and regret not doing it right the first time.

I'll take some pics tonight and try to find time to post them.

[FN Phat]

The project is progressing, but not without its surprises.

When I took the insulation off the wall there was an electrical cord running through the studs. It was about 35 inches off the floor, which was right in the middle of the area I wanted to recess. I had two choices that I could think of: 1. keep the cord in place and build basically have the shelf in the middle of the box hide it (basically build the shelf around the cord) or 2. move the cord to go under the box. I chose option 2 but I don't think I have enough slack in the cord to do what I want so now I'm going to either have the junction box in a place I don't want or I'll have to extend the electrical cord somehow.

I'm trying to decide if extending the electrical cord is worth it. I think the only way to do this (and comply with building code) is to put in a junction box but I'm not sure how easy that is to do. I bet I could do it, but when it comes to electrical stuff I always get nervous. I've wired a couple ceiling fans, but I've never done a power cord in the wall. It seems easy, but I just don't want my house burning down. Anyway, I'll probably call my friend that is a lineman (and building his own home) to see what he thinks and possibly have him help me do it. I'd rather get the project exactly how I want it rather than settle for mediocrity and regret not doing it right the first time.

I'll take some pics tonight and try to find time to post them.

You have the right mindset...do not settle on your project. If you do, you will forever be bugged about the shortcut and want to redo it. Secondly, Splicing an electrical cable is no problem and about as easy as a task as one can do when it comes to electrical. You need to make sure that you complete the splice in a junction box for accessibility and code compliance. I spliced a cord that I had cut this weekend while working on my master bath renovation. Easy-peazy.

[Moliere]

You have the right mindset...do not settle on your project. If you do, you will forever be bugged about the shortcut and want to redo it. Secondly, Splicing an electrical cable is no problem and about as easy as a task as one can do when it comes to electrical. You need to make sure that you complete the splice in a junction box for accessibility and code compliance. I spliced a cord that I had cut this weekend while working on my master bath renovation. Easy-peazy.

Thanks. I talked to my lineman buddy and he said the same thing. I was hoping to find some slack in the electrical line but the slack was on the wrong side of the box. I'd have to move another plug to utilize the slack. Now I'm going to put in a junction box on the side of my project and just cover it with a full plastic plate. I'll then run a wire from that box to the junction box with the plug in it and put that plug in the back of the project box so I can have the plug hidden behind where all the entertainment stuff (wii, dvd player, etc.) will go. I'm debating having the extra junction box (the one I'm not using) facing out into the attic, which I think is acceptable under code as long as it's accessible adn not covered by insulation, but I'm checking on that one. I'll do the wiring tonight so if I'm not posting tomorrow you'll know I've been electrocuted

I'm drywalling the inside of the box I'm making (except the bottom, which will be painted wood) so now I need to relearn how to tape/mud. I've done it once and there won't be much to it (really just the corners/edges) but it's always a hassle to do that type of stuff.

[Moliere]

Success on the splicing. I ended up putting the splicing in a junction box that faces into the attic. I'll cut the insulation to go around it so the cover plate is visible, but its nice not having to have the box face into the project.

I also got the plug all desired and in the spot I wanted it. It was simple. The hardest part was figuring out how to remove the wires from the plug but after I got that figured out it went quickly. Next up is moving the cable connection then putting the base wood and shelf in then dry walling the sides and ceiling. Here's some pics of the wiring job (which may or may not be up to code)

[Moliere]

Making progress....

[FN Phat]

How are you trimming out around the opening? Nice work, ej

[Moliere]

How are you trimming out around the opening? Nice work, ej

I've got some 1/4 round edges that I'll run along the opening. My walls are all rounded at the corners so I figured I'd continue the trend to help it blend in. That will be the tricky part as I'll need to sand down a bit of the textured wall and then mud around the round edge plates and get it all to blend in.

I still need to finish the mudding, then install the shelf that'll go in the middle, then cut openings for the wires to come into the box from the attic (from the TV), then paint it all. It's been a much more demanding project than I originally thought, but it looks better than I could have imagined and I'm glad I didn't cut corners. Right now I'm about $300 into the project, which includes purchasing all the mudding tools.

[Guest]

Looks pretty good so far. I did something similar except mine isn't quite as deep. I only made it deep enough for my TV. I have the rest of the equipment (Blue Ray player, X-Box, etc.) in a closet so that they aren't in site. This means I had to put an IR repeater near the TV for things that can't do RF but it looks fine and is pretty hidden.

[Moliere]

The drywalling piece of this takes forever. I've got 3 coats on and will do the 4th and final tonight. I also got the rounded edges put on and they look good. I didn't realize how difficult it would be to get the angles on the corners right. After a dozen trials and failures I decided to find a similar corner in my house and try to trace the line. I got it done and it looks pretty good, although I'll need to fill in some small cracks with mud or caulk. I'll try and post some pics tonight after the last mud application.

Now I need to find a TV to put over the alcove. I'm wondering if a 60" tv is too much.....but given that this week is March Madness I think that size would probably be perfect.

[FN Phat]

I have a 60" and love it, especially for sporting event s and movies, however, it will make a room seem small quick. Also, the screen is too large to game on.

[Moliere]

Mudding is done. All that is left is to insulate the box, sand the final mudding, put on the wall texture, put in the shelf and paint it all. Shouldn't take more than one or two more nights. It's turning out much better than I thought I could do, which is giving me inspiration for my next project.

Here's some pics showing the curved edges.

[Pelado]

What material do you use on the rounded edge?