I need a little help calculating support loads for a header beam
I am replacing two 8ft sliding doors in my home and would like to re-configure with a single larger door.
Current Situation
Header beam is 4X12″ length is 16’5″ The headeer is supported by 1 2×4 at either end with asecond 2×4 sistered to each. there are two 96″ X 80 1/2″ sliding doors seperated in the middle by 4X4.
Proposed Configuration
Replacing the two 8ft sliders with one 4-panel 12ft slider (XOOX)
and installing two 4×4’s 2 feet from each end of the header.
Any opinions on what calculations need to be done to determine if I can do thyis safely would be appreciated.
I have also contemplated adding a steel plate to the face of this but don’t know if its necessary or even helpful.
Thank you
Paul
Replies
Just to kick things off, what kind of load is on this wall--is there a second story over it, or does the roof bear on this wall (or is it a gable end wall)? Anyone who answers you will probably want to know that. Some people here have web sites they can list that will give you tables of headers for different spans. I still think they may need to know where the header is in terms of load, but maybe the tables already take care of that. Consider this a "bump" (an answer that is not an answer, but serves to keep your post from dropping off the bottom of the list).
Thanks for the bumpThe wall in question is 8ft from one corner in a 36'x16' Kitchen/family room with a flat roof(spray on polyurethane which I hate) so no second floor.The roof is supported by 4x10 beam, 4 ft on center.Technically, the "room" is 56'X16' since the master bedroom extends beyond the family room. divided by a non-load bearing wall.Additional details there is another 8ft slider on the opposite side of the family room configured as follows; 2x4's supporting 12ft 4x12" header 4ft window ,a 4x4, 8ft slider, another 4x4, 4 ft window, There is also a 12ft window opening in the master bedroom (same side as the two sliders in the kit/family room
That would force one to assume that the 16' length is what loads onto this header, but who knows? Is the openning in question in what side of the "room"?So what is the snow load requirement in your locale?
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No. I live in Oakland, CA. Very little snow to contend with.The doors exits to a patio/ pool area. This is the back wall of the house.You are correct I didnot add the jack studsto the overall length.
Maybe I should just replace the header with a huge hunk of steel?
No need for that,Technicly the right advice is can a=n engineer and in Okland CA you probably are required to.But for no snow load, I think you are fine with the doubled 2x12 over 12'.If any question, All you need to do is replace it with LVL not steel
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Your engineeer will need to know what loads are placed on this header, none of which are mentioned here.
BTW, that math does not work out.
Two eight foot doors with RO spacing added is 16'1-1/2" plus the 4x4 is 16'5" plus the jack studs at ends is 16'8" but you report only 16'5"
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!