In the remodeling and construction industry, there are two main kinds of walls: load bearing walls and non-load bearing walls. Understanding the difference between the two is critical. Cutting into the wrong wall can result in serious structural damages, and even whole-house cave-ins!  Before taking the step of removing or cutting any wall in your property, you must learn the difference between bearing and non-bearing walls, and how to accurately identify them from one another.

Continue below to learn how to distinguish between a load bearing and non-load bearing wall, and where to find trusted commercial general contracting services when the job is too big for you to take on alone.

Load Bearing vs. Non-Load Bearing Walls

Non-Load Bearing Walls

Non-load bearing walls are walls inside a property that do not support any structural weight of a building. They do not bear any other weight of the property’s structure other than its own. Also referred to as “curtain walls”, non-bearing walls are used primarily as room dividers, and generally serve no other purpose.

They can be easily identified by simply looking at the joists and rafters in your attic or basement. If they run parallel to the wall, they are most likely non-load bearing walls. You can do whatever you like to non-load bearing walls since they are not responsible for the gravitational support for your property. But removing, or even cutting into, a load-bearing wall can be a dangerous and costly mistake.

Load Bearing Walls

In contrast to non-bearing walls, load bearing walls are erected to provide structural support for a residential or commercial property. It is possible to bring down an entire edifice by removing or cutting into just one load-bearing wall! So be sure you know the difference between the two in order to avoid jeopardizing your property’s structural stability.

If the rafters or joists in your basement or attic run perpendicular to the wall in question, they are most likely load-bearing. It is wise to consult an Indianapolis commercial general contractor about your remodeling and renovation needs. They can guide you through the process of setting a budget, organizing services, and ensuring quality results.

Are you ready to move forward with some commercial remodeling work for your office or building? Contact BAF Corporation at 317-253-0531 for superior commercial general contracting in Indianapolis, Indiana. We serve clients all throughout the state of Indiana.

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