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: Is it okay to drill into a load-bearing beam?

• <div><p>You should avoid drilling or cutting into load-bearing beams because removing material will weaken it and increase the risk of structural damage or even collapse. If you do need to drill into a load-bearing beam, speak with a structural engineer first to discuss where it&rsquo;s safest to drill and the width and depth of the bit that&rsquo;s safe to use.</p></div>

Q: Are horizontal cracks structural?

• <div><p>Many horizontal cracks in home foundations result from water and soil pressure from outside of the building or from a footing that is shifting. Under those circumstances, horizontal cracks are a structural problem that requires repair before they become worse and more difficult to fix. However, in very specific cases, thin horizontal cracks may simply be a cosmetic blemish due to concrete shrinkage. </p></div>

Q: How high can you build a single brick wall?

• <div><p>A freestanding brick wall that's only one brick thick can usually stand six to eight feet high. If you need a higher wall, it should be at least two bricks thick for adequate stability, and it might require a footing to support the added weight. Additionally, some areas have regulations and codes dictating how high a brick wall can be, so check with local code enforcers to ensure your proposed wall complies with any regulations.</p></div>

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>

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Verified Reviews for Structural Engineering pros in Empire City, OK

*The Angi rating for Structural Engineering companies in Empire City, OK 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 Empire City, OK 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 December 11, 2025

Reviewed in December 2025
ROCK HILL Restoration handled all our needs for our roof replacement professionally. Our rep. was very professional and kept us in the loop the whole time, and when time to replace our roof it took 2 days for demo and three days for tile installation. The work was done very thoroughly and...
Rock Hill Restoration
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Reviewed in October 2025
Had a patio slab with metal support posts built almost 8+ years ago, with no cracks still. Finished this job with a roof. Had metal stair cases redone with custom concrete slabs on the walkways needing redone on the second floor. Built a slab and a shed to store tools and materials. Poured new...
AJ General Contracting & Welding
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Reviewed in September 2025
I can’t say enough good things about the professional and courteous job Boling concrete did. It was truly an awesome experience with a company that did what they said in the timely manner it was completed. We kinda of expected the worst and were pleasantly surprised by getting the best . Special...
Concrete Legacy
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Reviewed in August 2025
Amazing company, with very professional employees, highly knowledgeable on water systems they install, absolutely recommend them.
Oklahoma Water Professionals LLC
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Reviewed in January 2025
Did a complete remodel walls, flooring and finished in great time.
Pencil Point Carpentry
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Reviewed in April 2024
Eric's workmanship is top notch! I asked him to replicate a step stool built by my great-grandfather and am thrilled with the result! His attention to details has made the stool feel like the original - but in much greater shape. It will be used for years and passed down for generations, just...
Eric's Handyman Service
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Reviewed in November 2023
They repaired a few of the holes in my dry wall, and painting the interior of my home. Very professional, and everything was done in a timely manner. Definitely recommend KO contracting
KO Contracting
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Reviewed in October 2023
The garage door tech was very professional, knowledgeable, and efficient. He did a great job. I am a satisfied customer and will call them again, if I need maintenance on the garage door.
OGD Overhead Garage Door, LLC
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Reviewed in August 2023
Complete kitchen remodel to include demo, new cabinetry, new tile flooring, texture and paint walls, popcorn removal, new vents, rewire and replum kitchen and utility, new fan install and new lighting. All the above was accomplished in an outstanding manner with professionalism and courtesy. ...
CW Construction and Repairs
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Reviewed in April 2022
Excellent company. Good workers and showed up on time. They respect your property and did precisely the work they said they would do. I will highly recommend. Jacob was great to work with.
Advocate Structural Services, LLC
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Structural Engineering questions, answered by experts

You should avoid drilling or cutting into load-bearing beams because removing material will weaken it and increase the risk of structural damage or even collapse. If you do need to drill into a load-bearing beam, speak with a structural engineer first to discuss where it’s safest to drill and the width and depth of the bit that’s safe to use.

Many horizontal cracks in home foundations result from water and soil pressure from outside of the building or from a footing that is shifting. Under those circumstances, horizontal cracks are a structural problem that requires repair before they become worse and more difficult to fix. However, in very specific cases, thin horizontal cracks may simply be a cosmetic blemish due to concrete shrinkage.

A freestanding brick wall that's only one brick thick can usually stand six to eight feet high. If you need a higher wall, it should be at least two bricks thick for adequate stability, and it might require a footing to support the added weight. Additionally, some areas have regulations and codes dictating how high a brick wall can be, so check with local code enforcers to ensure your proposed wall complies with any regulations.

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 Empire City, OK homeowners’ guide to structural engineering services

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