Steps
Step 1
Within weeks of moving in we removed the masonite off both sides to explore and then left it like this for a few months.
Step 2
It wasn't long before we removed more of the wall, so we could walk directly down the hall from the lounge room, instead of walking around. The reciprocating saw with a demolition blade sliced through the nails and timber with ease. Quite unsafe with the exposed wiring, but just us, no kids at home. In the meantime, I prepped and painted most of the interior of the house, hence all the drop sheets.
Step 3
After two years and grand kids now living much closer, we finally removed the wall completely. Not knowing if it was load bearing or not, we had a builder put an LVL beam above the ceiling out of sight. We actually got him to remove the remainder of the wall while he was here, as I wasn't sure I'd be able to remove the top and bottom without damaging the floor. I managed to get the cornice off before this just in case we needed it. We also had an electrician move the light switch and power point, as well as removing the fan from where the beam was going and install two new fans in kitchen and lounge.
Step 4
Luckily I saved the all of the cornice and skirting from the removed wall to use, because while prepping, I stuck my finger into a termite-eaten length and had to remove more than I intended. Using a multifunction tool, I cut the damaged section out and replaced it using a nail gun to secure the new piece up there. The termite damage was from about five years ago when previous owners had a lot of damaged areas replaced but this was obviously missed. No live critters were found and no damage in framing or masonite behind it.
Step 5
I also salvaged the piece of masonite from the end of the wall to use for the gap in the ceiling. I used Bunnings masonite to fill the gap in the wall and the meranti to cover the vertical joins, matching in with the opposite corner in the hallway. I also had horizontal joins as I used 915mm masonite. I used gap filler for them and putty for the nail holes.
Step 6
After two and a half years we finally have an open plan kitchen, dining and lounge room. This is our only wall with the woodgrain masonite so I wanted to use a different colour to the other walls to highlight it.
Step 7
I still have to replace mouldings on the ceiling, but what's the rush? I'll get there one day, just don't look up!
Step 8
Next job on the list is the kitchen... not enough bench space and drawer faces keep falling off!
