Openings, decks and shade in La Canada Flintridge, Los Angeles County
La Canada Flintridge Rooms That Open Wide
Palmcrest Contractors removes La Canada Flintridge walls to the yard with engineered beams, ember-rated doors and paver patios under city plan review.
Can the wall between the family room and the yard come out without the ceiling sagging? That is a fair thing to wonder before calling us about a La Canada Flintridge house. The answer depends on what rests on that wall, and in most framing a beam and posts sized by an engineer carry the load. Fire hazard maps cover parts of the city, so we also settle early which doors and outdoor surfaces meet ember rules.
Finding out what the wall carries
We look in the attic first to see whether rafters or ceiling joists bear on the wall. If they do, the opening needs a header of engineered lumber or steel and a post at each end, carried down to a footing. Temporary posts carry the ceiling as the existing framing is cut away. With the frame in, a multi-slide or bifold door fills the gap, seated over a formed pan with flashing woven into the siding. The room keeps its ceiling line and gains a full view of the yard, with light reaching deeper across the floor.
Ember rules and the city's review
La Canada Flintridge is its own city, and its building department checks the plans and inspects the work. For any parcel the fire maps cover, our drawings specify tempered glazing for the doors, ignition-resistant or noncombustible decking, and fine mesh at vents under the eaves. A patio of pavers or concrete beside the opening holds no fuel, and an aluminum shade roof keeps hard sun off the new glass. If the lot slopes toward the house, a drain along the patio edge leads storm water away from the sill and out to the yard.
What we build in La Canada Flintridge
Every service below is available here, from a wider opening at the back of the house to a full remodel.
Open up your house in La Canada Flintridge
Tell us which wall, room or yard you have in mind, and we will arrange a measure.