Whether you’re building a house from scratch, or you just moved into a new place, you might wonder whether door frames are load-bearing.
The short answer is no, door frames are not usually load-bearing. However, they can be built in a way that they can bear the added weight. Or, you can install the door in a load-bearing wall.
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Is a door frame load-bearing?
It is very rare for door frames to be load-bearing. Mostly, door frames can only handle a limited amount of added weight. This is usually a weight of around 250 to 300 pounds (or 90-130 kgs).
More than 400 pounds and the door frame won’t be able to handle the load.
This applies to solid door frame materials like timber, aluminum, and composite. Weaker or low-quality materials may break. Door frames are usually able to support the door only. Plus, they make the doorway look more aesthetic.
What does it mean to be load-bearing?
It is important to understand what load-bearing means in this context. Load bearing refers to the added weight that an object can support. This is the weight in addition to what the object is designed to support or carry.
In the case of doors, they are usually attached to the frame with the help of hinges. The frame carries most of the weight of the door. The remaining weight is supported with the help of screws. There must be a sufficient amount of timber to keep the screws in place.
If there is a heavy door, a thicker frame is required to hold the weight and prevent the screws from getting torn out. Plus, an additional hinge in the center is needed to support the load.
If there is a load-bearing stud wall, the studs will be responsible for carrying the load, rather than the door frame. With the help of a header plate, the load is directly transferred to the studs on any one side of the door. In the case of a solid wall, the lintel is used to distribute the weight.
Can you build a door frame to be load-bearing?
From a structural point of view, it can be possible to build a door frame in a way that it can be load-bearing to some extent. To do so this successfully, the horizontal beam should have the adequate structural strength to properly distribute the load coming on it vertically.
Plus, the door frame’s head and sides should be designed to carry the full load.
Can doors be load-bearing?
Yes, it is possible for doors to be load-bearing. To do so, a structural header over the door can act as a beam. This will support the weight or load coming down in that specific portion of the house.
Can you install doors in a load-bearing wall?
Doors can be installed into a load-bearing wall. However, this is not an easy task. If not done properly, there is a risk of causing structural damage. After all, the load-bearing wall is essentially the main way to support the house. Any accidental damage can even result in the house collapsing. So, the project must be carried out with precaution.
To minimize any possible risks, it is crucial to have accurate measurements of the doorway and know where exactly to cut into the wall. So, preparation is key here. It is also necessary to understand the exact locations of all the fixtures, wiring, and plumbing located in the wall.
If you want to go ahead with the project, it would be sensible to have an expert on board. They will have an understanding of how to transmit the load in an even way while shifting it towards the sides of the wall. Plus, you also have to find out how much pressure the door and wall can take.
Another important factor is the type of lumber you use on the load-bearing wall. So, you must check the blueprints or seek help from an expert regarding this.
How to tell if a wall is a load-bearing
There are a few ways to tell if a wall is load-bearing or not.
Usually, if the wall is running at a parallel angle to the floor joists then the wall is probably not load-bearing. And if the wall is perpendicular to the floor joists (90-degree angle) then it could potentially be load-bearing. However, this doesn’t always have to be the case. Sometimes, load-bearing walls also run parallel to the floor joists.
Are interior walls load-bearing?
All doors are essentially an opening in a wall and are set into a doorframe. However, interior doors are usually smaller and lighter in weight. And interior walls typically don’t bear any weight or load of the house.
Conclusion
In most cases, door frames are not load bearing, but it is possible with proper engineering. Door frames are not made to support much weight, so you must be careful with what you want to hang / hold with the door frame, for example a pull up bar.
