Tag: Open Plan Living

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Renovation

Transforming Living Space on Valley Road: Kitchen Knock-Through & Utility Fit-Out

Opening up a home to create a seamless, open-plan flow completely changes everyday family living. On our latest project along Valley Road in Nottingham, we carried out a full structural alteration and utility fit-out designed to unlock the property’s potential.

Here is a closer look behind the scenes at how the build came together.

Knocking Through: Installing the Structural Steel

The main objective for the homeowner was connecting the existing kitchen into their new extension to form a spacious, bright living and dining hub.

To achieve this:

  • We supported the existing brickwork and upper joists using heavy-duty Acrow props and strongboys.
  • Knocked out the load-bearing dividing wall to open the span between the two areas.
  • Hoisted and set the new steel RSJ beam securely in place to carry the structural load of the floor above.
  • With the steel in, the barrier between the kitchen and extension is gone, creating the expansive, unified room the client envisioned.

Smart Layout Solutions: Relocating the Boiler & Gas Supply

When designing open-plan kitchens, appliance placement can quickly become a hurdle. The original boiler position sat right where the new layout needed clean lines and uninterrupted wall space.

To ensure the new kitchen wasn’t compromised, we carried out substantial mechanical work:

  • Gas & Pipework Rerouting: Rerouted the main gas supply line and primary central heating pipework.
  • Boiler Relocation: Moved and remounted the combi boiler neatly onto backer board inside the dedicated utility area, setting up all new copper pipe runs, condensate drainage, and flue routing.

Relocating the boiler entirely out of the primary kitchen zone keeps the new entertaining space uncluttered while grouping core services together.

Fitting Out the Utility Room

With the heavy structural work complete and pipework repositioned, the focus shifted to the dedicated utility space.

We installed stud framing along the perimeter walls to conceal:

  • Hot and cold feeds for washing appliances and a utility sink.
  • Upgraded soil and waste pipes.
  • Electrical first-fix wiring.

Having a separate utility room keeps laundry, noisy white goods, and boiler equipment tucked away, letting the new kitchen remain the social focal point of the house.

Planning an open-plan renovation or home extension in Nottingham? Whether you need structural alterations, RSJ installations, or complete plumbing and fit-out work, get in touch with our team today to discuss your next project.

Categories
Kitchen Renovation Uncategorised

Steel beam install

Transforming Spaces: Open-Plan Kitchen Diner Project in Woodthorpe, Nottingham

At Swallow Hill Homes, we love helping clients unlock the full potential of their properties. We are currently on-site in Woodthorpe, Nottingham, executing a structural alteration to create a open-plan kitchen and dining area.

To safely knock down the load-bearing wall separating the spaces, structural integrity is paramount. Here is a look behind the scenes at how our team is delivering this transformation:

  • Temporary Structural Support: Before removing any load-bearing masonry, heavy-duty adjustable steel props (Acrow props) and strongbacks were installed to fully support the floor joists and ceiling structure above.
  • Engineering Excellence: We installed a heavy-gauge RSJ (rolled steel joist) treated with red oxide protective coating to span the newly created opening.
  • Solid Load Transfer: The steel RSJ rests securely on newly constructed high-density engineering brick piers and concrete padstones, ensuring structural loads are distributed safely into the foundation.
  • Precision Execution: Every phase was closely monitored to ensure full compliance with building regulations, precision leveling, and absolute safety on site.

Once the remaining masonry is fully knocked through and structural load tests are complete, the temporary props will come down, leaving a spacious, light-filled layout ready for modern kitchen fitting, plastering, and finishing touches.

Looking to modernize your home or create an open-plan living space in Nottinghamshire? Contact the Swallow Hill Homes team today to discuss your project!