How to Tell if a Wall is Load-Bearing: A Homeowner’s Guide to Safe Renovations
Opening Up a Wall? Start Here First!
There’s something incredibly satisfying about imagining a more open, flowing layout in your home. Maybe you’re envisioning a spacious kitchen-living combo or a wide, light-filled hallway.
Whatever the case, before you start swinging a hammer to open things up, there’s one critical question you need to ask: Is that a load-bearing wall?
This question is too important for you to take a guess at the answer. Removing or cutting into a load-bearing wall without proper planning can damage your roof or floors and lead to permit violations and serious safety hazards. Even if things seem fine at first, improper removal can lead to cracks, sagging floors, or even structural collapse.
That’s why it’s so important to make sure that you know what you’re doing, and that’s where this article comes in.
This guide will help you to understand how to identify load-bearing walls and what signs to look for before making any changes. It will also help you to know when to bring in a structural engineer, because when it comes to your home, peace of mind is more important than anything else.
Let’s Get Started.
What makes a wall load-bearing?
A load-bearing wall is exactly what it sounds like—a wall that supports weight from above, typically holding up the roof, an upper floor, or ceiling joists. Unlike partition walls (which simply divide rooms), load-bearing walls are a critical part of your home’s structural integrity.
How Load-Bearing Walls Work:
They transfer vertical loads from the roof or upper floors down to the foundation.
They’re often aligned directly above other load-bearing walls or support beams on the floor below.
In single-story homes, they usually help hold up the roof trusses or rafters.
In multi-story homes, load-bearing walls can support both the floor and the roof, making them even more important.
Both interior and exterior walls can be load-bearing, and exterior walls almost always are. Interior ones vary, especially in modern, open layouts and remodeled homes.
Typical Locations of Load-Bearing Walls:
At the center of the house: The main load-bearing wall often runs down the middle of the house, supporting joists that span from wall to wall.
Perpendicular to joists: If a wall runs at a right angle to the ceiling or floor joists, there's a good chance it’s carrying load.
Below beams or ridge lines: If a beam rests on a wall, or if it’s directly under the roof ridge, it's likely a load-bearing wall.
Clues Hidden in the Structure
While not always conclusive on their own, there are certain visual and structural cues you can look out for that could suggest that a wall is load-bearing. Look out for the following, especially in attics, basements, and crawl spaces.
Direction of ceiling joists and roof rafters
Check how the joists or rafters run. If the wall runs perpendicular to (across) the joists, it may be supporting them. If it runs parallel, it’s likely not load-bearing, although exceptions to that exist.
Support in the basement or crawl space
If you can access the basement or crawl space, look below the wall in question. Is there a steel I-beam, wooden beam, or pier? If so, that’s a strong indicator that the wall is transferring load downward.
Thicker or doubled-up framing
Load-bearing walls are sometimes built with double top plates, wider framing, or larger studs. If the wall feels extra solid or sounds dense when knocked on, that might indicate it’s structurally reinforced.
Attic joist overlap
Joists often end or overlap right above walls in the attic, which suggests that it’s a load-bearing wall that’s supporting both sets of joists.
Floor Plan Secrets Most People Miss
When trying to identify load-bearing walls, looking at visible features often isn’t enough. Sometimes, the strongest clues lie in your floor plans or building records.
Look For the Original Blueprints
If you’re lucky enough to have your home’s original plans, review them carefully. Load-bearing walls are typically marked with bold lines or structural notes that indicate their purpose. You may also see beams or columns noted in framing plans.
Can’t find the original plans? Check:
Local permit office or city records
Previous sellers or your real estate agent
Architectural firms that may have designed or remodeled the home
Understand Load Paths
Look for walls that:
Align vertically between floors: If a wall on the first floor lines up with one on the second, it’s often an important part of the building’s structure.
Run down the middle of the house: These often support joists or trusses.
Connect to support beams or posts: This will be easier to spot if you’ve been able to locate the building’s plan.
Don’t Trust Only What You See
Some walls might look like they’re central or important when they’re actually purely decorative. Others, like thin partition walls, may turn out to be structural if they were retrofitted to help support a sagging ceiling or floor.
Why Not all walls are Straightforward
Unfortunately, not every wall is easy to categorize as either load-bearing or non-load-bearing. Some walls are altered during renovations, while others are built with unusual framing methods and hidden support systems.
How Renovations can Change the Structure
Wall removals in past remodels may have introduced hidden beams above ceilings to redistribute the load.
Previous owners may have built new rooms or removed supports without permits or proper documentation.
Hidden support systems
Structural loads can be transferred through beams that are hidden inside ceilings, making it appear as though no load-bearing wall exists.
Some walls support non-vertical loads (e.g. diagonal roof bracing or wind reinforcement), especially in hurricane or earthquake prone areas.
Redundancy and Hybrid Systems
Sometimes, multiple walls share the load rather than one wall carrying it all. When that’s the case, removing one wall can overstress the others, even if it doesn’t look critical.
That’s why assumptions based on symmetry, room layout, or design logic can be dangerous. Just because one wall isn’t load-bearing, it doesn’t mean that its twin on the opposite side of the house isn’t load-bearing either.
Signs You Should Call a Structural Engineer
Okay, so you’ve checked out the attic, looked through the blueprints, and you still feel uncertain. That’s understandable—after all, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Perhaps it’s time for you to stop guessing and bring in a licensed structural engineer.
Key Signs you Need a Professional:
You want to remove, cut into, or modify a wall and aren’t 100% sure of its role.
You’ve found unusual framing, overlapping joists, or a lack of visible support.
The wall is part of a multi-story structure or supports staircases and/or fireplaces.
You suspect there may be plumbing, HVAC, or electrical components inside the wall, which could complicate removal.
Permits often Require an Engineer’s input
Many cities require engineer-stamped plans when you apply for a permit to remove structural components. An engineer will ensure that the new support (e.g. a beam or post) is correctly sized and properly supported at both ends. Most importantly, they’ll ensure that it’s safe.
You Already Removed Drywall — What Now?
If you’ve already removed drywall, that can actually be helpful. With drywall removed, a structural engineer can more easily visually trace joists, beams, and supports. Bringing an engineer in at this point is a good idea because it can prevent bigger issues from occuring further down the road.
What you can Expect from a Professional Assessment
Bringing in a structural engineer doesn’t mean losing control of your project. In fact, it often gives you even greater control because you can remove risk and gain clarity on what needs to be done. Here’s what a typical assessment from a licensed engineer looks like.
Site Walkthrough and Visual Inspection
The engineer will start by examining the wall in question, as well as the surrounding areas (such as the ceiling, attic, crawl space and adjacent rooms). This allows them to figure out how the wall fits into the load-bearing system.
Joist and Beam Analysis
Next, they’ll analyze:
Joist direction and spacing
Connections between framing members
Support beams and their end bearings
This load path analysis will help to determine if (and how) the wall carries vertical or lateral loads.
Structural Calculations and Stamped Drawings
If the wall is found to be load-bearing, the engineer will create a plan to safely remove or modify it. Check with your engineer that the drawings are permit-ready and accepted by local building departments.
They’ll look at factors like:
Beam sizing (steel, LVL, or glulam)
Column and footing specs
Load transfer details
Recommendations for alternatives
Engineers might also suggest alternate configurations, such as flush beams, an exposed post-beam solution, or partial wall removal to preserve structure while opening up space.
How Exactus Engineering Helps you to Build with Confidence
At Exactus Engineering, we know that most homeowners don’t want a crash course in structural physics—they just want to renovate safely and smoothly, as easily as possible. That’s where we come in.
Decades of Structural Expertise
Our licensed engineers specialize in residential renovations, from wall removals and beam designs to complex remodels. We speak the language of contractors and city inspectors, helping to streamline your project from start to finish.
From Consultation to Stamped Plans
We take pride in educating without overwhelming so that you feel confident and supported at every stage. We’ll guide you through every step, including:
Clear communication before site visits
Thorough evaluation with photo documentation
Rapid delivery of structural drawings and permits
Coordination with Your Team
Already working with a contractor or architect? We’re more than happy to work with them to ensure that your structural plan aligns with your aesthetic goals, budget, and timeline, with no crossed wires and no last-minute surprises.
Ready to Move Forward?
If you’re serious about renovating, don’t leave structural safety to chance. Our engineers are ready to help you understand what’s safe to remove (and what isn’t!).
Here’s how to get started:
Schedule a consultation: Fill out our online form or give us a call to book your site evaluation.
Prepare before we arrive: Make sure you have any existing floor plans, photos, or remodelling ideas ready. If you’ve already removed drywall, even better!
Discuss your vision: We’ll chat about what you want from your space, whether it’s a full wall removal, a partial cutout, or beam integration.
Receive stamped drawings and expert recommendations: Finally, we’ll deliver the completed structural plans, which will be designed for safe, code-compliant, contractor-friendly construction.