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: What’s the difference between an architect and an engineer?

• <div><p>The essential difference between an architect and an engineer is that architects typically focus more on the aesthetic design of buildings, although not without consideration for the structural integrity of the building. Engineers focus more on the structural, technical, and practical aspects of whether and how an architectural design can be built as drawn. You may need to hire both types of professionals if you&rsquo;re designing and building a new home.</p></div>

Q: How do professionals ensure durability in wall construction?

• <div><p>Through proper drainage solutions and compacting the foundation soil.</p></div>

Q: What is the 10 10 rule in construction?

• <div><p>The 10 10 rule describes the formula most contractors use to determine how much to charge for a job. Allowing for 10% overhead above the total projected cost to do the work and 10% profit sets a contractor up for success, even if there are delays or other problems on the project. This formula isn&rsquo;t a hard-and-fast rule, but it is a ballpark figure to begin with when estimating your expenses on a job.</p></div>

Q: What do structural engineers look for when doing an inspection?

• <div><p>Structural engineers typically conduct inspections during a home sale or renovation, looking for signs of structural damage in various structures throughout the building, such as load-bearing walls, joists, beams, roofing trusses, foundations, and chimneys. Some of the warning signs that structural engineers check for include:</p><ul><li><p>Dry rot</p></li><li><p>Infestation</p></li><li><p>Shifting or<a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/quarter-inch-crack-my-foundation-major-concern.htm"> cracking foundations</a></p></li><li><p>Erosion</p></li><li><p>Water damage</p></li><li><p>Sagging, shifting, or damaged walls, ceilings, or roofing support</p></li></ul><p></p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Structural Engineering pros in Cayuga Heights, NY

*The Angi rating for Structural Engineering companies in Cayuga Heights, NY 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 Cayuga Heights, NY 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 April 28, 2026

Reviewed in April 2026
I found the right construction company! Before I retired I was in the construction business for 30+ years. The work this company did for me at my house is top notch. They were great in every respect. Expert at what they do, amazing attention to detail, clean up after themselves every day, and...
Quality Roofing LLC
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Reviewed in September 2024
Work turn out to be more than contracted. Cost adjustment was probably too low. Work was completed in a 5 level house and was everything we asked for. Had two items to tweet after completing and both addressed quickly and without question. Very willing to help find value engineering options.
Taber's Plumbing & Fabrication
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Reviewed in December 2023
This is a great company to work with. Our project involved tricky design and construction issues and was complicated by the fact that there were certain elements that we were determined not to change. Upscale worked with us to develop a vision and a specific plan - from the major elements down...
Upscale Remodeling Corp
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Reviewed in September 2022
Chris and Zack did a great job - demo and drywall installation in our attic despite the 100 year old framing.. Highly recommend them.
Advanced Maintenance and Remodeling
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Reviewed in December 2021
Synopsis: When Lakeside Kanga Roofers totally botched the job of replacing 4 flat roofs and I complained they told me that they would not present me with a plan to fix it until I paid in full at which point they would have no incentive to fix it. They then called me to give me 15 hours notice...
Lakeside Kanga Roof
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Reviewed in August 2020
This job was power washing an interior 1300 sqft floor, in a structure used previously as a farm equipment repair shop. A pretty extreme job. Grime, grease, years of accumulated dirt. David was proactive in scheduling, excellent in communication. He applied detergent before washing. The price on...
Eye Spy Grime Powerwash and Paint
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Reviewed in September 2019
We placed a service call through Home Adivisor to secure bids to replace the main water line from the curb to the house. Titan Plumbing won the contract. Jimmy, the owner, was very responsive and had superb customer service. The team worked diligently to ensure that there was minimal affect to...
Titan Plumbing, Sewer, & Drain, LLC
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Reviewed in June 2018
DP Roofing is outstanding. Dustin and his team are knowledgeable, competent and reliable. They show up on time and do excellent work. They communicate costs and estimates clearly and in plain language, and they quickly communicate any changes in estimates as soon as they happen. With DP, my...
DP Roofing & Construction
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Reviewed in February 2015
The structure of the chair was good but it looked a little shabby. She listened to me, had really great ideas and found a way to merge our ideas. She came up with a wonderful design and now it is a statement piece. She did a great job.
LITTLESTONE DESIGNS
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Reviewed in October 2014
We're renovating a 1910 house in downtown Ithaca and our structural engineer found some weak spots in the old stone foundation. Also, the dirt crawlspace was horribly musty and mice-infested. The whole house smelled like dirt. Midstate was prompt to reply and come out to the property and then...
Midstate Basement Authorities, Inc
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Find Structural engineers in Cayuga Heights

Thornton Engineering, PC

5.0(

)

Serving Cayuga Heights, NY and surrounding areas

In business since 1960

"very positive. he was candid and knowledgable"

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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Northshore Engineering and Design

5.0(

)

Serving Cayuga Heights, NY and surrounding areas

In business since 2012

Credit card accepted

"Very good quality work, custom design, knows the industry practice well. Happy with the final design."

Response time11 hrs

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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Keystone Associates Architects, Engineers and Surveyors, LLC

New to Angi

Serving Cayuga Heights, NY and surrounding areas

Credit card accepted

Offers commercial services

Keystone Associates Architects, Engineers and Surveyors, LLC (Keystone) is a multi-disciplined design firm headquartered in Binghamton, New York, with branch offices in Cortland and Monticello, New York. Keystone was established in 1993 and has provided professional design services for a region encompassing all of Upstate New York, as well as Northeastern Pennsylvania.\n

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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.

The essential difference between an architect and an engineer is that architects typically focus more on the aesthetic design of buildings, although not without consideration for the structural integrity of the building. Engineers focus more on the structural, technical, and practical aspects of whether and how an architectural design can be built as drawn. You may need to hire both types of professionals if you’re designing and building a new home.

Through proper drainage solutions and compacting the foundation soil.

The 10 10 rule describes the formula most contractors use to determine how much to charge for a job. Allowing for 10% overhead above the total projected cost to do the work and 10% profit sets a contractor up for success, even if there are delays or other problems on the project. This formula isn’t a hard-and-fast rule, but it is a ballpark figure to begin with when estimating your expenses on a job.

Structural engineers typically conduct inspections during a home sale or renovation, looking for signs of structural damage in various structures throughout the building, such as load-bearing walls, joists, beams, roofing trusses, foundations, and chimneys. Some of the warning signs that structural engineers check for include:

Dry rot
Infestation
Shifting or cracking foundations
Erosion
Water damage
Sagging, shifting, or damaged walls, ceilings, or roofing support

The Cayuga Heights, NY homeowners’ guide to structural engineering services

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

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