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Supporting a structural opening safely

Prop spacing depends on the load above and the span being supported, as a rough guide most domestic openings use a prop every 1.2m to 1.5m either side of the opening, but this should always be confirmed against the structural engineer's calculations rather than assumed. Under-propping a wall removal is one of the most common causes of cracking above door and window openings during renovation work.

Sole boards matter as much as the prop itself. A prop resting directly on floorboards, tiles, or soft screed can punch through under load, so a timber sole board spreads that point load across a wider area, particularly important on suspended timber floors and older solid floors that were never designed to take concentrated loads.

Building control needs to see the temporary works method statement before you start on anything load-bearing, and most local authorities want to see the permanent beam or lintel installed and cured before props are struck. Leaving props in place slightly longer than planned is normal practice and far cheaper than a settled crack line.