Can you put a doorway in a structural wall?

• <div><p>Yes, you can put a doorway in a structural wall; in fact, most exterior doors are set into structural walls. The project is a little more challenging than installing a door in a non-load-bearing wall because you need a structural engineer to assess the wall and make sure it’s safe to create a wall opening. Your engineer’s report will include instructions for your contractor on how and where to install additional supports, like steel headers above the door, to distribute the weight above to the wall on either side of the door.</p></div>

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Q: How much weight does a 4-inch concrete slab support?

• <div><p>A 4-inch-thick concrete slab can support around 4,000 pounds per square foot if a contractor reinforces the slab with rebar, while that same slab without reinforcements will support closer to 1,000 pounds. For the purposes of a patio, 4 inches in thickness without reinforcement should suffice unless you&rsquo;re installing heavy kitchen equipment or a hot tub on it. In those cases, reinforcing your slab and sticking with 4 inches of thickness should provide plenty of strength.</p></div>

Q: How can I tell if a home I purchased in an earthquake zone is bolted to the foundation?

• <div><p>Generally, you can tell if a home is bolted to the foundation by checking the foundation for plates. If you see that your foundational plates connect to wood or bolts protruding from them, this means that you have a bolted foundation. However, it's always wise to bring a home inspector in to confirm if your foundation is secure.</p></div>

Q: Are dormers load-bearing?

• <div><p>Dormers must be able to bear the load of their own construction and the added window. The style of the dormer, however, will determine where the weight loads onto your home's structure. A gable dormer bears the weight on the side walls whereas a shed dormer bears it on the front walls.</p></div>

Q: What qualifications should a structural engineer have?

• <div><p>Proper licensing and experience in residential and commercial structural projects.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Structural Engineering pros in Fordyce, AR

*The Angi rating for Structural Engineering companies in Fordyce, AR is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Structural Engineering needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Structural Engineering companies in Fordyce, AR is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Structural Engineering needs.

Last update on October 23, 2025

Reviewed in October 2025
Response time to online application, was the same day applied. Set up a date for a quote. He came on that date at the time set. Reasonable quote for what I asked for. Set up date to come out to cut the tree down. They showed up at the appointed time. They were very professional I worked...
Apple Tree Services
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Reviewed in November 2022
Shawn was timely and efficient on my inspections I appreciate his professionalism and wiliness to work around my schedule.
Watkins Home Inspections
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Reviewed in May 2022
The work was done very poorly and now I have to pay another contractor to fix the problem. The contractor returned and resolved all the issues in the roof. He painted my house before doing the roof and his crew did a good job there, the stripping and painting were well done and of good value.
Arkansas service company
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Reviewed in December 2021
This job required a refrigerator part to be ordered. It arrived quickly and the job was completed in just a few days. The repairman was professional and friendly.
The Appliance Guru
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Reviewed in June 2021
Honest, courteous and dependable. I would definitely hire again.
Carrier Drain & HVAC
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Reviewed in December 2020
Quality servicing & excellent customer service
Strickly Business Lawn Care
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Reviewed in December 2020
Incredible work and time efficient.
In-Depth Home Improvement
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Reviewed in November 2020
They did an amazing job on our home. I would highly recommend them. My house has never been this clean!!!!
Nana's Cleaning Service
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Reviewed in October 2020
I have used them for several years now. He has always given great service!
Premier Home Services - Pgina inicial Facebook
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Reviewed in August 2020
Scott is not only a professional businessman that goes above and beyond what he said he will do, but he is also a Christian man, one that you can trust and one that you can depend on what he tells you. I would recommend him to any of my friends or family. And should I ever need a roof or gutters...
Scott's Roofing Gutters and More
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Find Structural engineers in Fordyce

Hall Engineering, Ltd.

4.6(

167

)

Serving Fordyce, AR and surrounding areas

In business since 1999

Credit card accepted

"The structural engineer I hired has been very quick tonrespind and provides nothing but what you'd expect from a professional. Easy to work with and knowledgeable, and very to the point. Thank you home advisor. You saved me on this one"

Response time11 hrs

Recommended by91%of homeowners

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Structural Engineering questions, answered by experts

A 4-inch-thick concrete slab can support around 4,000 pounds per square foot if a contractor reinforces the slab with rebar, while that same slab without reinforcements will support closer to 1,000 pounds. For the purposes of a patio, 4 inches in thickness without reinforcement should suffice unless you’re installing heavy kitchen equipment or a hot tub on it. In those cases, reinforcing your slab and sticking with 4 inches of thickness should provide plenty of strength.

Generally, you can tell if a home is bolted to the foundation by checking the foundation for plates. If you see that your foundational plates connect to wood or bolts protruding from them, this means that you have a bolted foundation. However, it's always wise to bring a home inspector in to confirm if your foundation is secure.

Dormers must be able to bear the load of their own construction and the added window. The style of the dormer, however, will determine where the weight loads onto your home's structure. A gable dormer bears the weight on the side walls whereas a shed dormer bears it on the front walls.

Proper licensing and experience in residential and commercial structural projects.

Yes, you can put a doorway in a structural wall; in fact, most exterior doors are set into structural walls. The project is a little more challenging than installing a door in a non-load-bearing wall because you need a structural engineer to assess the wall and make sure it’s safe to create a wall opening. Your engineer’s report will include instructions for your contractor on how and where to install additional supports, like steel headers above the door, to distribute the weight above to the wall on either side of the door.

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