| Basement:: |
A substructure purposely cut or dug out below grade, it typically contains a concrete slab floor and concrete pour or concrete block foundation walls. The basement walls in many mid-west and back-east buildings are the concrete foundation bearing walls supporting the above grade building. |
| Bearing Wall: |
A primary wall that carries the load from an upper part of the building. A wall that supports the weight of a vertical load and its own weight. |
| Non-Bearing Wall: |
A non-supporting wall that has no weight bearing capabilities other than to itself. |