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>

Do monolithic slabs have footers?

• <div><p>All foundations have footers, including monolithic slabs. In some cases, the foundation itself acts as the footer, as in the case of a floating slab and a monolithic slab. With a monolithic slab, the footers—which are just the bottom-most portion of the foundation that distributes loads down to stable soil—are a part of the main slab and are constructed with a single pour.</p></div>

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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: Is a structural engineer the same as a foundation engineer?

• <div><p>Structural engineers specialize in all aspects of a building&rsquo;s structural integrity, including the foundation. Foundation engineering is a critical part of structural engineering, so structural engineers are experts in foundation design. Many foundation repair companies either have a structural engineer on staff or one they work closely with, so be sure you look for that when deciding <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/who-do-i-hire-foundation-repair.htm">who to hire for foundation repair</a>.</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>

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Verified Reviews for Structural Engineering pros in Star City, WV

*The Angi rating for Structural Engineering companies in Star City, 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 Star City, 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 January 15, 2025

Reviewed in January 2025
Ryan is a motivated hard worker. He worked through freezing temperatures and created stairs and a deck that is structurally sound and pretty to look at.
Cheat Lake Construction
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Reviewed in May 2019
Project over-costs were $500 over quote due to structural problems.
Barclay Construction, LLC
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Reviewed in July 2018
Delayed the project due to structural issues. Joel is very knowledgeable and easy to work with. Plan to use him when issues resolved.
Devaney Plumbing & Gas
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Reviewed in February 2017
He arrived on time, and was very honest about the structure of our house. Because of his inspection we were able to fix the structural issue and proceed with our project.
F & D Development Company, Inc.
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Reviewed in April 2015
They were great. They were as advertised. They were professional and got it done on time. They kept the historical character of the building. The skill and knowledge of the workers was obvious. They come and do great work. There's no surprises. They know what they're doing. The work looks great....
RAIMONDO A POINTING CLEANING
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Reviewed in April 2015
We were under contract for a new house. We used Matt to paint the exterior and interior of our home a couple of years ago, so we called him again. He was prompt, gave us a great price, & we were all ready to use him to paint our house. The price was for walls and trims of majority of the home....
Cahill Painting Company
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Reviewed in January 2015
I highly recommend this company for industrial and Federal engineering work.
STEWART'S ELECTRICAL
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Reviewed in December 2014
Mike and Doug are brothers who have owned this business for many years. The work was delayed about a month due to torrential rains - when they started they made up for it quickly. We live out of town and they kept in touch with us, sending pictures, and texting/calling regularly with updates....
Kinsley Construction Inc
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Reviewed in April 2014
Matt is outstanding in his responsiveness to the customer and in what he does. In a home inspection a foundation issue was identified. I was referred to him from Basement Systems of WV to have him look over the house structure before any work was done. Matt came in and did a thorough inspection...
Matthew Echard
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Reviewed in December 2013
They worked well as a team, and intensely and efficiently from 7-5, with only a short lunch break. Their cleanup at the end of each day was thorough. Communication was easy, cell phone or e-mail messages promptly responded to, and all were courteous, showing respect and flexibility. When I...
Allegheny Restoration & Builders Inc
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Structural Engineering questions, answered by experts

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.

Structural engineers specialize in all aspects of a building’s structural integrity, including the foundation. Foundation engineering is a critical part of structural engineering, so structural engineers are experts in foundation design. Many foundation repair companies either have a structural engineer on staff or one they work closely with, so be sure you look for that when deciding who to hire for foundation repair.

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.

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)

All foundations have footers, including monolithic slabs. In some cases, the foundation itself acts as the footer, as in the case of a floating slab and a monolithic slab. With a monolithic slab, the footers—which are just the bottom-most portion of the foundation that distributes loads down to stable soil—are a part of the main slab and are constructed with a single pour.

The Star City, WV 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
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May 30, 2026May 30, 2026
How Much Does Steel I-Beam Installation Cost? [2026 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.
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May 30, 2026May 30, 2026
How Much Does It Cost to Install an LVL Beam? [2026 Data]
Looking to remove load-bearing walls and vertical supports to open up your living space? Learn about what affects the cost to install an LVL beam.
Haley Nothstein
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May 30, 2026May 30, 2026
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Main House Support Beam? [2026 Data]
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Rachel Hoffman
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May 3, 2026May 3, 2026
10 Signs of Structural Damage in Your Home
Keeping your home safe and structurally sound should be a top priority. Learn to recognize the signs of structural damage you should never ignore.
Kyle Schurman
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Mar 19, 2026Mar 19, 2026
Who to Hire to Replace a Sill Plate?
A sill plate needs to be replaced when it starts to rot out. Use this guide to help you know who to hire to replace a sill plate at your home.
Rachel Hoffman
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Mar 6, 2026Mar 6, 2026
Structural Inspection vs. Home Inspection: Which Is Right for You?
Knowing the difference between structural inspections vs. home inspections is easy with this convenient guide. Learn when you might get each one done.