Generally, you need the hyphen only if the two words are functioning together as an adjective before the noun they're describing. If the noun comes first, leave the hyphen out. This wall is load bearing.
When should I use a hyphen?
The Hyphen
- Use a hyphen at the end of a line to divide a word where there is not enough space for the whole word. ...
- Use a hyphen to indicate a word spelled out letter by letter. ...
- Use a hyphen to join two or more words to form compound adjectives that precede a noun. ...
- Use a hyphen to avoid awkward doubling of vowels.
Where do you put a hyphen?
The hyphen joins words or parts of words. Hyphens are used at the ends of lines where a word has been split, to warn the reader that the word continues on the next line. If the word you need to split is clearly made up of two or more smaller words or elements, you should put the hyphen after the first of these parts.
