80's log cabin kit remodel

[gardnerat3rd]

Hi all, new to the site here and excited to join in some conversations. I have an 80's kit log cabin to remodel. It's a gambrel roofed, 900 sqf cabin on piers built by some good ol boys back in the day. I've been asked about blowing out an exterior wall and extending the living space by taking over an existing porch along the long wall. The floor and roof are in place, just infill. My question is regarding the roof load and the structural integrity of this wall. There are two interior purlin beams running the length of the house, carrying the load where the gambrel bends sharply down. These beams are carried by logs, roughly 3 feet inside of the log walls, they also carry part of the loft structure. The window's are just bucked into the log frame. How feasible is it to remove the windows and expand the holes? They don't want to get rid of everything, just make the living space bigger in the living room and one bedroom, at least 40% of the wall structure will stay the same. 4x8 rough beams carry the loft floor and are embedded in the upper level of exterior wall logs, just 7' from finish floor so I can't imagine a header of any size would work. Does the window buck work to carry the load down to the lower floor?
Thanks for any insights you have.

[Dick Hackbarth]

Gardnerat3rd:
One answer is, sure go ahead..., at your own risk. And, on piers no less, doesn’t make it any easier, since you are further concentrating loads from above onto discrete pier locations below, and likely inadequate footings and beams which were not designed for this new loading. You really have to coordinate this, and maybe strengthen some piers/footings or beams over the piers.

Alternatively, you have to show a floor plan, roof plan, some member sizes, bldg. x-sections, local bldg. code loading criteria, etc., if you want a serious discussion and answers.

This is generally a pretty friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful group of people, but you can’t expect much help if you don’t provide sufficient info., since we can’t see it from here.