load-bearing walls
Hold buildings up
Load-bearing walls are walls that support the weight of a structure above them—the roof, upper floors, or both.
They transfer weight down to the foundation and cannot be removed without compromising structural integrity.
In construction and renovation, identifying load-bearing walls is critical: We can't knock out that wall—it's load-bearing.
Contrast with partition walls, which merely divide space.
- columnsUpright structural shafts
- beamsRays or supports
- lintelsBeams spanning openings
- foundationUnderlying support structure
- reinforced concreteCement with steel bars
concrete · weight distribution · structural support · retrofitting · structural integrity · stress analysis · brick · masonry · building plans · steel · tensile strength · joists · girders · trusses · construction · dead load · structural engineer · stone
- constructionconstruction site, building site, hammer, building, beam
- basementsbasement stairs, basement walls, basement door, basement bar, finished basement
- wallspartition walls, interior wall, retaining walls, brick walls, concrete walls
- masonrymason, brick, bricks, stone, mortar
- brickworkbricks, brick wall, brick walls, brickwork, bricklaying
- Factory Buildingstructural steel, reinforced concrete, foundations, steel framing, concrete floors
load-bearing wallspartition walls
Interior walls separating spaces
curtain walls · room dividers · false walls · partitions · screen walls