What is the wall that carries a load in addition to its own weight called?

• A. Load Bearing Wall
• B. Non-load Bearing Wall
• C. Foundation
• D. Exterior Wall

Answer: (A)

A wall that carries a load from above in addition to its own weight is called a load-bearing wall. These walls transfer the weight of floors, ceilings, and roofs down to the foundation, helping to hold the building up. Non-load bearing walls, by contrast, only support their own weight and serve mainly to divide spaces, so removing them doesn’t affect the building’s structural support. The foundation and exterior walls relate to overall structure and location, but the term that specifically describes carrying extra load is load-bearing.