Why should I pick steel for my new support beam?

• <div><p>You should pick steel for your new support beam for a few reasons. While steel is more expensive than other materials, such as laminated veneer lumber or glulam, it offers the following benefits:</p><ul><li><p>Fire-resistant</p></li><li><p>Unaffected by pests</p></li><li><p>Longer-lasting</p></li><li><p>Stronger against water damage (when galvanized against rust)</p></li></ul><p></p></div>

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>

Are there benefits to consulting an engineer before home modifications?

• <div><p>Absolutely, as it ensures designs are viable and won’t compromise structural integrity.</p></div>

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Q: Are there benefits to consulting an engineer before home modifications?

• <div><p>Absolutely, as it ensures designs are viable and won&rsquo;t compromise structural integrity.</p></div>

Q: Are brick houses safer in an earthquake?

• <div><p>According to the <a href="https://www.earthquakecountry.org/step4/urmwalls/#:~:text=Houses%20built%20of%20unreinforced%20masonry,and%20the%20roof%20is%20critical.">Earthquake Country Alliance</a>&mdash;a public and private alliance in California that works to improve earthquake and tsunami readiness&mdash;reports that unreinforced masonry, such as stone, bricks, and hollow clay tiles, is more susceptible to earthquake damage. The mortar between bricks isn&rsquo;t as stable as other building materials and methods.</p></div>

Q: How can you tell if a crack is structural?

• <div><p>Foundation cracks that are 1/8 inch wide or less, aren&rsquo;t uneven across the gap, and don&rsquo;t continue widening over time are usually just normal settling cracks and don&rsquo;t suggest structural issues. Horizontal cracks and stair-step cracks on foundation walls, any cracks that continue widening, are wider than 1/8 inch, or where one side juts out beyond the other, are often indicative of structural damage.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Structural Engineering pros in Mount Clare, WV

*The Angi rating for Structural Engineering companies in Mount Clare, WV 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 Mount Clare, WV 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 30, 2025

Reviewed in December 2025
Had a metal roof installed and a large porch with roof and tongue and groove installed. The crew is very talented , they worked with me and paid attention to details for the build that I wanted. Gary explained to me ideas that would work. He would steer me away from something that was a bad idea...
Gary Martin Construction LLC
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Reviewed in September 2024
John and his worker, Ramy, did a great job with a complicated major renovation project that completely gutted two adjacent rooms (Master Bath and Laundry/Half Bath), rearranged the walls, plumbing, and wiring in order to create a beautiful and much more efficient space than what we had before....
Barclay Construction, LLC
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Reviewed in April 2024
Extremely professional and amazing workers. The finished concrete looks fantastic. I'm really impressed with the quality workmanship and would highly recommend Blue and Gold Contracting
BLUE & GOLD CONTRACTING LLC
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Reviewed in March 2024
What a wonderful experience! All of the crew were courteous, kind and knowledgeable! They were careful with all of my antique furniture and did not damage anything. I highly recommend this company! FIVE+ STARS!
Green Home Solutions
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Reviewed in September 2023
Professional, knowledgeable & courteous. Cleaned up the area when the project was completed. Very reasonable. Would recommend.
Elrod's Construction and Contracting, LLC
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Reviewed in August 2023
All work was done in a professional manner. The project was timely commenced and completed with no delay. The trees involved were over 100 years old and very big. The crew were experienced and properly trimmed out huge limbs without damage to the trees or the area around them.
BushCo, LLC
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Reviewed in August 2022
They arrived on schedule, professional, impressed with their zip-line system to remove tree limbs, and hauled all debris away. Price was competitive and reasonable for the work completed. Would definitely hire them again!
Uprooted Tree Services, LLC
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Reviewed in March 2022
They are very easy to work with and come up with ideas as they arise to improve the project. Can do multiple things at a time. Excellent craftsmanship!
Short Construction
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Reviewed in December 2021
We were extremely satisfied with everything.They were spot-on for quote and job time. They cleaned up nicely. They even repaired a problem resulting from inferior work of a previous contractor! The completion is far more than standard, making us supremely happy with their work. We will be...
Little Bit Of Heaven Contracting LLC
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Reviewed in July 2021
My wife hired HRUBIK Construction for two projects. The first was to relocate and rebuild a 17 step staircase into our basement and the second was to remodel our on-suite bathroom. The bathroom remodel included demo of original bathroom, relocating plumbing, electrical and lighting, as well...
Hrubik Construction
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J. Casey Consulting

4.7(

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Serving Mount Clare, WV and surrounding areas

In business since 2014

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"Structural engineering of house construction blueprints."

Response time4 days

Recommended by94%of homeowners

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Structural Engineering questions, answered by experts

You should pick steel for your new support beam for a few reasons. While steel is more expensive than other materials, such as laminated veneer lumber or glulam, it offers the following benefits:

Fire-resistant
Unaffected by pests
Longer-lasting
Stronger against water damage (when galvanized against rust)

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.

Absolutely, as it ensures designs are viable and won’t compromise structural integrity.

According to the Earthquake Country Alliance—a public and private alliance in California that works to improve earthquake and tsunami readiness—reports that unreinforced masonry, such as stone, bricks, and hollow clay tiles, is more susceptible to earthquake damage. The mortar between bricks isn’t as stable as other building materials and methods.

Foundation cracks that are 1/8 inch wide or less, aren’t uneven across the gap, and don’t continue widening over time are usually just normal settling cracks and don’t suggest structural issues. Horizontal cracks and stair-step cracks on foundation walls, any cracks that continue widening, are wider than 1/8 inch, or where one side juts out beyond the other, are often indicative of structural damage.

The Mount Clare, WV homeowners’ guide to structural engineering services

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