Open-Plan Kitchen in a Glasgow Tenement: Is It Possible?
Knocking through to create an open-plan kitchen-diner is one of the most popular renovations in Glasgow’s tenement flats — and in most cases it is achievable, provided the work is done correctly and with the right permissions.
Is the wall structural?
The first question is always whether the wall you want to remove is load-bearing. In tenements it often is. Removing or opening up a structural wall means installing a correctly sized steel beam (RSJ), designed by a structural engineer and built to an approved Building Warrant. This is not a job to take shortcuts on.
Permissions you’ll need
Most structural alterations in a tenement require a Building Warrant from your local council, and because tenements are shared buildings, you may also need to notify or get consent from other owners under the title deeds. An architect or architectural technician will prepare the drawings and handle the warrant application.
What’s involved
- Structural survey and engineer’s calculations for the beam.
- Building Warrant application and approved drawings.
- Temporary support (“needling”) while the beam is installed.
- Making good — plastering, flooring, electrics and the new kitchen layout.
The result is a brighter, more sociable space that makes far better use of a traditional cellular tenement floor plan. If you’re considering opening up your kitchen, HomeDecorZone can guide you through the process. See an open-plan conversion case study or get in touch for a free quote.