What is a load-bearing wall?

A load-bearing wall is defined as a wall that supports the weight of the structures above it, including floors and roofs. This is critical in construction because these walls take on the loads that are transferred from the roof and upper floors down to the foundation, ensuring the structural integrity of the building.

In contrast, a wall that is purely decorative serves no structural purpose and is simply for aesthetic appeal. Walls that define space inside a building are typically non-load-bearing and only serve to separate areas but do not contribute to the overall stability of the structure. Lastly, while a wall made of non-combustible materials may contribute to fire safety, the material itself does not determine whether a wall is load-bearing; instead, it is the wall's function in supporting structural loads that is the defining characteristic. Thus, the role of a load-bearing wall is fundamentally about its ability to support weight, making the correct answer clear.