Cutting studs above fireplace for recessed mount

[rgrneva]

Are studs above a fireplace ever load bearing studs that I need to worry about?
I need to install a recessed mount that is 32" wide, but there are two studs running down the center 12" apart.
...Roger

 

[mtrycrafts]

Are studs above a fireplace ever load bearing studs that I need to worry about?
I need to install a recessed mount that is 32" wide, but there are two studs running down the center 12" apart.
...Roger

Welcome

What is above that wall? 2nd story? Outside wall with roof rafters sitting on that wall?

 

[highfigh]

Are studs above a fireplace ever load bearing studs that I need to worry about?
I need to install a recessed mount that is 32" wide, but there are two studs running down the center 12" apart.
...Roger

It depends. If the house has a basement, can you see where the support beam is? is it directly under that wall? Is the wall the outside wall of the house?

You asked if they're 'ever' load-bearing- yes, they can be, and if you decide to cut the opening, you need to make sure it's not before starting. If you have plans for the house, you should check that and if you don't know how to determine where the structural support is, you ought to find someone who can show you.

Is this a fireplace insert with a metal box and flue? Your building code may be different from what we have in Wisconsin but if the flue is single wall sheet metal, you need to keep combustible materials more than 2" away, which means that any framing you add to replace the existing structure will need to be more than 2" away and instead of drywall, you'll need to use some kind of cementitious material, like backer board for tile.

 

[Alex2507]

If the roof caves in after you cut the studs then it was definitely a load bearing wall and you will have some splaining to do when the wife comes home.

Seriously I think you need to post some pic's and describe what all is going on there to get a decent answer but I like the idea of you getting somebody who would know a load bearing wall when he sees one best.

What kind of mount do you have?

 

[Stereodoctor]

Are studs above a fireplace ever load bearing studs that I need to worry about?
I need to install a recessed mount that is 32" wide, but there are two studs running down the center 12" apart.
...Roger

I am an installer of fourteen years and I would say that it is highly unlikely that there is going to be a load baring wall above your fireplace as that would mean that your fireplace is load baring which it isn't. If it is, than I'd get an inspection and find out what is else is wrong with your house. Honestly though, two studs twelve inches apart are hardly going to affect the structural integrity of your house seeing as how they are only half size above the fireplace. Cut out what you need and reframe support if you are worried about it.

 

[sawzalot]

I am an installer of fourteen years and I would say that it is highly unlikely that there is going to be a load baring wall above your fireplace as that would mean that your fireplace is load baring which it isn't. If it is, than I'd get an inspection and find out what is else is wrong with your house. Honestly though, two studs twelve inches apart are hardly going to affect the structural integrity of your house seeing as how they are only half size above the fireplace. Cut out what you need and reframe support if you are worried about it.

Well I would think it very well could be load bearing and one can't assume that the Fireplace would bear any of the load as I doubt the wall studs come right on down and sit on the fireplace itself. Two studs twelve inches apart make me wonder why are they so close to each other , maybe they are supporting some structure above . They may be only half studs but there could and should very well be a header that would span the opening deflecting the load to the jack/jackstuds down to the foundation, just saying.
Rodger you need to supply a better description and maybe a pic of the outside wall adjacent to the fireplace, do your floor joist upstairs set on this wall, usually they would not pick a bearing wall to cut open for a fireplace but one never knows, more info is needed, good luck.

 

[highfigh]

We need more info. A fireplace isn't usually so large that it takes up a large part of a wall and even if it is load-bearing, it can carry the load if it's framed properly (large enough header and jack studs).

 

[BMXTRIX]

I would think a fireplace wall, with current gas fireplaces, would often be load bearing if it is on an outside wall. Not that the fireplace would be, but the framing around a gas fireplace would probably be like that of a window.

I would be more cautious of outside walls and gas fireplaces than I would be of traditional fireplaces and/or inside walls.

Still, no harm in erring on the side of safety and reframing a bit if it makes you feel better about things.

 

[davidtwotrees]

Pics would be nice. When I opened up our fire "box" it was just that, a stud wall area surrounding the fire box. There was nothing structural about it. Then again, I live on a slab constructed town house, a trussed roof.
I ran 2.5 " PVC for wire chases. One to each side, and one up to the attic. If you use PVC, make sure all your cuts are square for the glued joints. Mine weren't, and when I went to pull wire, it would get caught up at the joints where there was a sloppy cut that left a rough area inside the turns. HTH.
You can read more in the sticky, Putting a TV above a fireplace.

 

[rgrneva]

haha I can see her face now! I just posted some pics waiting for post to show up.

 

[rgrneva]

It is a single story home with no basement. Luckily there is a tv mounted on the opposite wall with a hole large enough to stick a camera in.

pbase.com/rdt7/av

 

[majorloser]

If the roof caves in after you cut the studs then it was definitely a load bearing wall and you will have some splaining to do when the wife comes home.

Spoken like a true union carpenter

(you forgot to get somebody to hold your beer first)

 

[Bills86e]

Cut the drywall in between the studs, as drywall is NOT LB. Put head in hole with mouth open! See if theres light at the end of the tunnel! We
reckommend not doing this standing on a chair.

 

[rgrneva]

Thanks.
I posted pics here tell me what you think.

pbase.com/rdt7/av

 

[Alex2507]

Spoken like a true union carpenter

(you forgot to get somebody to hold your beer first)

We don't want to scare 'em off at 'hello'.