Infill Wall:
A framework of beams and columns in which some bays of frames are infilled with masonry walls that
may or may not be mechanically connected to the frame. Infill panels, otherwise called infill walls, are
non-load-bearing. They are installed between floors on the primary structural frame of a building to
support the structure's cladding system.
Bearing Wall:
If you can see the floor joists, either from the basement looking up to the first
floor, or from the attic looking down to the floor below, note their direction. A
load-bearing wall will often be perpendicular to floor joists.
Is the Wall Parallel or Perpendicular to Joists?
Generally, when the wall in question runs parallel to the floor joists above, it is
not a load-bearing wall. But if the wall runs perpendicular (at a 90-degree angle)
to the joists, there is a good chance that it is load-bearing. However, there are
cases where a bearing wall is parallel to the joists. In this case, the wall may be
aligned directly under a single joist or bear on blocking between two neighboring
joists.
Is a Partial Wall Load-Bearing?
If the wall is a partial wall, meaning it stops short of an adjacent wall, it may or
may not be load-bearing. For example, the builder may have installed a microlam
beam to span across the opening and carry the load above. Therefore, you cannot
assume that a partial wall is a partition wall.
Is an Exterior Wall Load-Bearing?
Exterior walls are walls that form the perimeter, or outer footprint, of a house.
Exterior walls are almost always load-bearing. Where there are windows and
doors, the walls include beams, or headers, spanning across the tops of the
openings. Posts on either side of the openings support the beams.
Is a Masonry Wall Load-Bearing?
A masonry wall would appear to be load-bearing since masonry is a solid,
substantial, and exceedingly strong building material. But a masonry wall may or
may not be load-bearing. The position of the masonry may point to its load-
bearing capacity (e.g., is it on the exterior?). One type of masonry called
manufactured stone veneer cannot support loads. As the name suggests, it is a
decorative veneer, very lightweight, and prone toward crumbling under stress.
Foundation walls, which are typically built of masonry materials, are by nature
load-bearing, as their primary role is to support the weight of the house.
Is There a Support Structure Below the Wall?
If the wall is on the first floor of the house, and there is a basement or crawlspace
below, you can check in the lower level to see if there is another wall or other
supporting member (piers, beams, columns, jack posts, etc.) directly below and
following the same path as the wall above. If there is no support structure below
the wall, the wall most likely is non-load-bearing.
