Internal layout changes can include removing walls that are either solid load-bearing walls or partition walls that probably bear secondary loads (such as floor joists or transmitted loads from the roof structure). The general rule of thumb is that: most walls can be removed or altered provided that adequate support is designed and installed to re-transmit the loads down through the building lateral restraint (generally horizontal wall to wall) may also be required to tie in the remaining structure to outer walls additional cross bracing may be required to floors above walls removed to prevent undulation over-stress or springy floors Naturally there may be a limit to how many walls can be removed.