What is a bearing wall?

• A. A non-load-bearing partition.
• B. A decorative wall.
• C. Wall that supports itself and the weight of the roof
• D. A firewall.

Answer: (C)

A bearing wall is a structural wall that carries the loads from above—its own weight plus the weight of floors and the roof—and transfers those loads down to the foundation. That load-carrying role is why interior bearing walls matter for structural integrity and fire safety, and why removing or opening them typically requires additional support.

The other options describe walls that don’t carry loads: a non-load-bearing partition only divides spaces; a decorative wall is for aesthetics; a firewall is a fire-resistive barrier for containment, not a description of a wall’s load-bearing function.