Installing larger window; framing advice
I will soon be replacing a 72″ window with a 96″ x 60″ window. It is on the gabled ( ?) end of a 1 3/4 story older farmhouse. I have installed a couple of larger windows before(replacing smaller ones), but they have been on the eve side of the house. To support the roof while I framed the opening I just used two or three floor jacks with a sturdy beam and set it in about 3 ft. in from the wall. What is the required support needed while I frame this opening. The roof pitch is about a 7/12 and so the area above this window(main floor), is a big triangle when viewed from the outside. I do not know if the house is balloon or platform-framed. It doesn’t seem to me that there should be that much weight there but I don’t want to take any chances!This section of the house is about 24′ wide. I would appreciate any advice from someone familiar with this procedure.
Also is a 2×8 header enough or does it need to be 2×10.Thanks!
Duey
Replies
Does your gable wall happen to have a center post or group of studs supporting a ridge beam? If so, does your proposed window happen to extend into the area where this post is? Or, do you have collar ties and a ridge board?
Thanks for responding! There does not appear to be any center support as the existing window is right in the middle of the wall and there is a window dead center in the wall on the upper level also. I don't know about the rafter ties. Would the wall sheathing and siding hold things in place in this situation or how can I brace it?
Duey
The fact there aare windows right there does not mean that the ridge is not a structural ridge beam. There could be substabtial headers over those windows re-directing the load and transferring it to foundation.The way you see if the ridge is load bearing is not to assume, but to get up in the attic and study how things were done and what size the ridge is.
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You need to determine first whether you have a ridge board or a ridge beam. If it's a beam, then that second floor window has a header that is supporting quite a bit of weight. If the existing first floor window is the same width then the loads come down directly on either side of that window, and will be a major factor in your new opening.
David and Piffin have you on the right track.
I will add that if it is a bearing ridge it is worth it to run down to the local lumber yard ( not HD) and for free of charge get them to spec it for you.
( they will then probably sell you a pricy timberstrand or other type header.) or not but window 8' wide is worth to get specd IMO.