Balloon framing and plaster walls
Older framing methods and heavy plaster need extra care. We assess the framing type, add fire blocking where required and patch plaster cleanly.
Serving Evanston & nearby Skokie, Glenview
Kitchen Wall Removal & Structural Assessment in Evanston, IL
We find out what your Evanston kitchen wall carries, then open it safely with an engineered beam and a permit.
- Local crews working in Evanston ZIP 60201, 60202, 60208
- Design, permits and every trade on one schedule
- A written, itemized estimate before any work
Walls that close in Evanston kitchens, and what it takes to remove them
We remove kitchen walls in Evanston the careful way: assessment first, engineered design for load-bearing walls, shoring during the work and a finished ceiling and floor when we leave. You end up with an open kitchen and paperwork that shows it was done right.
Lead paint on older walls
Tearing out painted plaster in an older house can release lead dust. Our crews contain the area and clean with HEPA vacuums.
Walls in condo buildings
In a condo, interior walls can be structural or hold shared risers. We get association approval and an engineer's review before opening one.
Pipes, ducts or wires inside the wall
What is inside the wall matters as much as what it holds up. Wiring, gas lines, ducts and vents each need a new route.
A narrow doorway that bottlenecks traffic
One small doorway between the kitchen and the dining room means everyone squeezes through the same spot with plates. Widening it or removing the wall fixes the jam.
Partial wall or half wall
Not every wall needs to disappear completely. A wider opening or a peninsula in place of the wall can give most of the benefit.
Wanting no beam showing
Most people want a smooth ceiling after the wall is gone. We aim for a flush beam and tell you early if a dropped beam is required.
Loads that need support down to the foundation
Removing a bearing wall shifts its load to two points. We make sure each one has solid support all the way to the foundation.
What the project covers
- Structural assessmentWe inspect the wall, the framing above and below it and what runs inside it.
- Permit and inspectionsPermit application, framing inspection and final sign-off handled by us.
- Temporary shoringShoring holds up the ceiling and floor above during the work.
- DemolitionControlled removal of the wall, studs and debris, hauled away.
- Beam and post installationThe engineered beam set, joists connected with hangers and posts bearing on solid support.
- Records for resaleWe hand over the structural paperwork so the change is documented when you sell.
- Lighting and outlets in the new openingNew ceiling lights, relocated switches and code-required outlets for the open space.
Materials and options
Posts and columnsStructural posts concealed in walls or cabinets, or finished as columns.
Cased openingsA trimmed, enlarged doorway that opens the view while keeping some wall for cabinets.
Steel beamsUsed for long spans or heavy loads where a wood beam would be too deep.
Flush beamHidden in the ceiling plane, with joists hung from it on metal hangers.
Wrapped and decorative beamsA dropped beam finished in painted trim or wood so it looks intentional.
Kitchens like yours in Evanston: before and after
Before
In progress
AfterAn Evanston brick bungalow from the 1920s: before and after
The site: a brick bungalow from the 1920s in Evanston. The kitchen as it was: 1980s honey-oak raised-panel cabinets installed over the old plaster, dark brown speckled laminate and a brass ceiling fixture with a glass dome. The main complaint was a wall that kept the cook out of every conversation. Finished kitchen: the wall removed and a flush beam in the ceiling, the kitchen open to the next room, cabinets in light warm taupe with matte black pulls, bright white quartz counters, warm oak luxury vinyl plank flooring through both rooms and black cage pendants and slim recessed lights. Work included structural assessment, temporary shoring, plus lighting and outlets in the new opening.
Before
AfterA Skokie postwar bi-level: before and after
The site: a postwar bi-level in Skokie. The kitchen as it was: original birch cabinets painted white decades ago, sagging doors, chrome pulls, laminate with an aluminum edge band and a round fluorescent ceiling ring. The main complaint was a closed-off kitchen that stayed dark all day. Finished kitchen: the wall removed and a flush beam in the ceiling, the kitchen open to the next room, cabinets in cobalt blue with satin brass pulls, black honed granite counters, light oak hardwood flooring through both rooms and black cage pendants and slim recessed lights. Work included temporary shoring, beam and post installation, plus lighting and outlets in the new opening.
Kitchen Wall Removal & Structural Assessment in Skokie →
Before
AfterKitchen Wall Removal & Structural Assessment in a 1960s ranch, Glenview
This one is a 1960s ranch near The Glen. What we started with: 1970s dark pecan-stained cabinets, light beige laminate and a dome ceiling light. The reason for the call: a dark kitchen cut off from the rest of the house. The result: the wall removed and a flush beam in the ceiling, the kitchen open to the next room, cabinets in light warm taupe with satin brass pulls, warm walnut butcher block counters, hickory luxury vinyl plank flooring through both rooms and a flush drum fixture and under-cabinet lights. On site this meant structural assessment, temporary shoring, plus lighting and outlets in the new opening.
Kitchen Wall Removal & Structural Assessment in Glenview →
Before
AfterEvanston kitchen, prewar foursquare: kitchen design & layout planning
Finished: a new layout with an island, cabinets in light greige uppers and muted blue lowers, creamy quartzite-look quartz counters and two glass pendants and recessed lights.
Kitchen Design & Layout Planning in Evanston →
Before
AfterEvanston kitchen, prewar brick bungalow: accessible kitchen remodeling
What changed: a lowered dark soapstone-look quartz counter section with knee space under the sink, cabinets in cream uppers and walnut-stained lowers with satin brass pulls, pull-down shelves in the uppers, drawers instead of base doors, a side-opening wall oven, a lever faucet and two glass pendants and recessed lights.
Accessible Kitchen Remodeling in Evanston →The project, step by step
- Assessment visitAn inspection of the wall and the framing around it, plus your plans for the new space.
- Engineering and estimateFor load-bearing walls, an engineer sizes the beam; you get a written, itemized estimate.
- PermitWe submit the permit with the engineer's documents and wait for approval.
- Removal and beamTemporary support, wall removal, beam and posts set and inspected.
- Finish workWe patch, paint and clean up so the open space is ready to use.
Kitchen Wall Removal & Structural Assessment questions from Evanston homeowners
Is my older home balloon-framed?
Possibly, if the house is prewar. We'll confirm when we look at the framing.
Can I remove a kitchen wall in a condo?
It depends on the building. We check with the association and an engineer before planning removal.
Can I remove a load-bearing wall myself?
No. Structural changes need engineering, a permit and experienced crews to support the load during removal.
How long does it take to remove a kitchen wall?
Usually a short on-site phase for shoring, removal and the beam, followed by inspection and patching.
Can I remove a wall between the kitchen and living room?
Usually yes. If the wall is load-bearing, it needs a beam sized by an engineer and a permit; if not, it still needs a check for pipes, ducts and wiring.
Evanston contractor registration: do kitchen contractors need it?
All contractors working in city limits must register with the City; annual fee General Contractor $150, Trade Contractor $125. We take care of that before work starts.
Does an Evanston historic district affect kitchen wall removal?
Evanston has locally reviewed areas, including Preservation Commission reviews exterior work in local districts, the city states it has four local historic districts (the city, s list names Lakeshore and Ridge. Exterior changes there can need review; interior-only work usually does not. We check before anything changes on the outside.
Evanston building permit for kitchen wall removal: where do I apply?
Permits go through Community Development Department, Building & Development Services (Building & Inspection Services), phone (847) 448-4311. When your scope needs one, we prepare the application and schedule the inspections.
Do Evanston condo associations need to approve kitchen wall removal?
Associations usually set rules for work hours, elevators, deliveries and insurance, and many require approval for plumbing, electrical or structural changes. We provide the certificate of insurance and follow the building's rules.
Do I need a permit for kitchen wall removal in Evanston?
It depends on the scope. Evanston's rule in short: Residential permit applications go through the Citizen Portal; City worksheets signed by the contractors are required for any electrical, plumbing or HVAC work. We handle the permit when one is needed with Community Development Department, Building & Development Services (Building & Inspection Services).
Do you work in my part of Evanston?
Yes. Our crews work across Evanston — ZIP 60201, 60202, 60208 — and nearby Skokie, Glenview, Park Ridge.
Working in Evanston
- Most Evanston homes are prewar. We work around plaster walls, radiators and out-of-square rooms every week.
- Condo or townhome? We follow association rules on work hours and elevators and bring the insurance certificate your board asks for.
- Live in a historic district? Interior kitchen work is usually not reviewed. We check before anything touches the exterior.
ZIP 60201ZIP 60202ZIP 60208
Kitchen Wall Removal & Structural Assessment nearby
Other kitchen services in Evanston
Kitchen Design & Layout PlanningLayouts, 3D plans and material picks before work starts.
Accessible Kitchen RemodelingKitchens that work for every age and ability.
Kitchen AdditionsBump-outs that add room for an island or dining area.
Kitchen RemodelingFull kitchen remodels, from layout to last cabinet pull.
Kitchen Cabinet PaintingFactory-smooth painted cabinets without replacing them.