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>

Get matched with top structural engineers in Hailey, ID

Q: Why should I add structural support for my house after I raise it?

• <div><p>If your home's foundation was damaged due to shifting soil, the same problem will reoccur unless you stabilize the structure by adding posts in the bedrock.</p></div>

Q: How do you know if a wall is load-bearing?

• <div><p>The easiest way to <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/load-bearing-wall.htm">tell if a wall is load bearing</a> is to check if it&rsquo;s an exterior wall or if it runs perpendicular to the joists above and below it (or parallel to beams). Exterior walls are almost always load-bearing, and walls that run under beams or parallel to them are also usually load-bearing. There are exceptions to these rules, and walls that don&rsquo;t fit into these categories can still be load-bearing. If you&rsquo;re unsure, hire a structural engineer to look at your home to assess whether or not the wall is structural.</p></div>

Q: Why are houses built with crawl spaces?

• <div><p>The primary reason homes have crawl spaces is so the foundation can reach down below the frost line to avoid dangerous soil movement and structural damage when the ground freezes. They&rsquo;re more popular in colder climates where the ground freezes down to a few feet, and slabs are most popular in warmer areas where there is no frost line. Crawl spaces also provide a space for utility lines to run where they&rsquo;re at less of a risk of freezing.</p></div>

Q: How do professionals incorporate framing into existing structures?

• <div><p>By careful planning and reinforcement to maintain structural integrity.</p></div>

Enter your ZIP and get matched with up to 5 pros

Need a pro for your structural engineering project in Hailey, ID?

Select your specific project to find the pro for you.

Verified Reviews for Structural Engineering pros in Hailey, ID

*The Angi rating for Structural Engineering companies in Hailey, ID 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 Hailey, ID 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 22, 2025

Reviewed in August 2025
We purchased two new sliding glass doors at a home show. We wanted to replace ours because they were hard to slide open and closed. We have been VERY UNSATISFIED with Amazing Exteriors and REGRET ever buying them! They were a month late with the installation and never updated us to tell us when...
Amazing Exterior's of Idaho
Request a quote
Reviewed in June 2023
Awesome work and communication throughout the project. Could not meet a more friendly and awesome couple. There were removed several large trees overhanging fence lines, power lines, property lines, and structures. They did such a good job that I referred them to my fathers home for additional...
5C Tree Cutters, LLC
Request a quote
Reviewed in February 2014
Arrived on monday at 9am as agreed. Keith made quick work of the first side of the wall demolition. The most impressive aspect of his work throughout, and at the end of the first day; was how clean he maintained the work area! So, he worked quickly and cleaned things up as he worked. A very cool...
Hooked On Construction
Request a quote
Reviewed in September 2013
About a month ago the owner, Bob Potter, came to bid on the project. He offered suggestions and we agreed on what needed to be done. The evening before the work was done he called to say tomorrow is the day. Fortunately it worked out well for me. The short notice was a bit surprising. The crew...
ADVANTAGE TREE CARE
Request a quote
Reviewed in August 2013
Jeff was very professional and had a good level of communication throughout the process. He is busy, and I had to wait a couple weeks before he could take my truck but it was worth the wait. He had the engine steam cleaned and called me with a preliminary diagnosis within a couple hours of...
Askew Machine and Perfomance-Jeff Askew South Side
Request a quote
Reviewed in July 2013
The work went well few if any problems; owner made a trip to local hardware type store to purchase special colored screws, while repair shop owner removed the engine from the boat; flashing pieces were installed and motor was reattached to boat. The result was even better than hoped for, I could...
Ultra Marine Performance
Request a quote
Reviewed in June 2013
After the safety check was complete, the salesperson came out with a form that indicated that there was a major leak of coolant and engine oil from a failed head gasket. The repair for the head gasket was quoted at $1600. Since I had never had a problem with leaking oil or overheating, I asked...
Phil Meador Toyota
Request a quote
Reviewed in April 2013
After months of sub-par performance from my regular mechanic, I was desperate to find a new one who could provide the kind of trustworthy service I used to have but lost. Some background: My old repair shop, Bill and Mike's, which I'd frequented for 20 years because of great service and...
MASTER MECHANIX
Request a quote

Find Structural engineers in Hailey

Meier Architecture • Engineering

8697 W. Gage Blvd.

No reviews yet

Meier Architecture • Engineering

8697 W. Gage Blvd.

No reviews yet

43 years of experience

Meier Architecture & Engineering, an Employee Owned company, is a full-service architectural and engineering consulting firm with Registered Architects and licensed Professional Engineers in Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, and Structural Engineering. Formed in 1982, has successfully completed more than 6,600 projects in the past 29 years. Meier Architecture & Engineering, an award winning company providing services from coast to coast, as well as worldwide, we are licensed in 28 states and serve as members of many professional, discipline-specific associations. Mindful of our future, members of our staff are also accredited in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).

Structural Engineering questions, answered by experts

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.

If your home's foundation was damaged due to shifting soil, the same problem will reoccur unless you stabilize the structure by adding posts in the bedrock.

The easiest way to tell if a wall is load bearing is to check if it’s an exterior wall or if it runs perpendicular to the joists above and below it (or parallel to beams). Exterior walls are almost always load-bearing, and walls that run under beams or parallel to them are also usually load-bearing. There are exceptions to these rules, and walls that don’t fit into these categories can still be load-bearing. If you’re unsure, hire a structural engineer to look at your home to assess whether or not the wall is structural.

The primary reason homes have crawl spaces is so the foundation can reach down below the frost line to avoid dangerous soil movement and structural damage when the ground freezes. They’re more popular in colder climates where the ground freezes down to a few feet, and slabs are most popular in warmer areas where there is no frost line. Crawl spaces also provide a space for utility lines to run where they’re at less of a risk of freezing.

By careful planning and reinforcement to maintain structural integrity.

The Hailey, ID homeowners’ guide to structural engineering services

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.

See all articles

Dan Simms
•
Oct 15, 2025Oct 15, 2025
How Much Does Beam Installation Cost [2025 Data]
Beam installation costs are an important consideration if you’re building a home or doing renovations. Learn about average costs and factors in this guide.
Dan Simms
•
Oct 13, 2025Oct 13, 2025
How Much Does Steel I-Beam Installation Cost? [2025 Data]
A new steel I-beam is more durable than a wooden one. Learn what factors can affect steel I-beam installation costs and how to budget for this project.
Dan Simms
•
Aug 14, 2025Aug 14, 2025
How Much Does It Cost to Remove a Wall? [2025 Data]
Need to open up your living space or make room for a home addition? Use this guide to estimate the cost to remove a wall in your home before you start.
Rachel Hoffman
•
Nov 19, 2024Nov 19, 2024
Are Squeaky Floors a Structural Problem?
A squeaky floor may just be an annoyance, or it may signal a structural problem. Learn when to be concerned about a squeaky floor.
Dan Simms
•
Oct 31, 2024Oct 31, 2024
Everything You Need to Know About Lally Columns
Wondering what a lally column is? Learn what it is, how it works, when you need one, and the pros and cons in this simple guide.
Dan Simms
•
Nov 15, 2024Nov 15, 2024
What Is a Structural Engineer and Do You Need One?
Learn what a structural engineer is, what they do, when you might need to hire one for your home project, and how much they charge.