Header size for interior bearing wall
Details:
I live in South Jersey. Building is 27′ 6″ wide. The roof is 2×10 rafters (simple gable end roof) with knee walls half way between the outside wall & the center.
The opening is 10′ 0″ wide, & the header is only supporting the ceiling (attic storage above). If necessary, I can put intermediate support posts if 10′ would require to large a header – but I’d like to avoid it.
Anyway, I was looking at a copy of table R502.5(2) in the 2003 IRC, (using the 28 ft building width column), but the copy I have only lists sections for supporting one floor or two floors – nothing about supporting a ceiling.
Is a ceiling treated as one floor (which would mean I’d have to use the 2-floor section for my downstairs openings)?
Replies
Anybody know if there is a section in R502.5(2) for walls supporting only a ceiling?
If you have a kneewall resting on the ceiling joists then you are not just supporting the ceiling weight.
I would go with 3 2x12's based on R502.5(1) "roof & ceiling" assuming snow load of 30 psf.
Jon Blakemore
RappahannockINC.com Fredericksburg, VA
Thanks. Unfortunately the wall which would be supporting this header is only 2x4. I guess I'll have to go with a glue lam or something.
Edited 2/14/2006 12:52 pm ET by Soultrain
2 11-7/8" LVL's will get you there and stay within your wall thickness.
Jon Blakemore RappahannockINC.com Fredericksburg, VA