DIY Wall Remodeling

Remodeling a wall to install a new opening requires a bit of "demo" work. Removing plaster, drywall and framing will kick up a lot of dust. To minimize clean–up, cover all furniture and tape plastic over all openings to contain the dust while remodeling. Wear a dust mask and safety glasses when breaking plaster off walls.

Choose the location of the new door or window and determine if any plumbing or wiring will be affected by the new installation. Look in the attic or basement to locate pipes and wires. If no access is available to these spaces, use a hammer to knock small holes in the wall to find plumbing and electrical systems.

If plumbing pipes are discovered to be in the space for the new opening, try to find another location that will do as well, but doesn't require relocating plumbing. Moving other obstacles will always be easier than moving plumbing. It will be easier, for instance, to relocate an electrical box than a water pipe.

Begin the wall demo by removing the baseboard. Use a crowbar and a wood block to pry off the molding. Press against the wall framing to avoid breaking holes in the wall.

Locate a stud that will serve well as one of the king studs for a new door or window frame. See Framing Doors and Windows for more about locating and framing the new opening. Use the measurements from the framing tutorial to mark the new opening.

Start at the inside of the chosen king stud and measure from there to the opposing stud location. Mark the wall in several places up the wall to the new header location. Mark the top of the opening for the new header across to the first stud.

Drywall Demolition

To remove drywall use a reciprocating saw or a drywall saw to cut the open space between studs. Drill a pilot hole for the saw blade. Push the blade into the opening and press the base of the saw firmly against the wall while operating the saw. Use a short blade in the saw and hold the it at a slight upward angle while cutting to minimize the chances of hitting the opposing wall as the blade moves in and out.

To cut the drywall at the studs, score several times with a sharp drywall knife. Use a sledge hammer or the side of a claw hammer to break the drywall and remove it in pieces. Bag all the broken drywall and remove all nails or screws from the exposed studs.

Plaster Demolition

To minimize damage to the surrounding plaster, tape along the outer edge of the outline with masking tape. Next, score the outline using a drywall knife. Score repeatedly and deeply (an eigth inch or more) to encourage the plaster to break cleanly along the line.

Use a 2x4 and hammer to tap the wall just inside the outline, breaking the plaster along the scoring. Use a wide chisel or joint knife and hammer to cut any plaster that doesn't break along the line. Then use a sledge hammer or the side of a claw hammer to break the plaster brown and putty coats free from the wood lath in the center of the opening.

Remove gypsum board plaster in large pieces, breaking it apart like drywall. See Three–Coat Plaster for more about lath, brown and putty plaster coats.

With all the plaster removed, use a reciprocating saw to cut the wood lath strips along the outline of the opening. To avoid vibrating the lath with the saw blade, keep the base pressed firmly against the wall as you cut. Pry the wood lath free from the framing using a crowbar and hammer. Remove all remaining nails and screws from the framing.

To cut the studs for the new door or window installation see Framing Doors and Windows.