Please see attached sketch..
I installed this header 2 weeks ago the house has yet to fall down! Need to know if this is strong enough to support an unsupported length of approximately 7 ft. My concern is deflection not anything falling. I originally installed the 2×8’s due to the fact that I need to install lighting just under the header but that is no longer going to be the case. I am able to add an additional 4×6 (2-2×6) directly under the unsupported portion but it will be nailed/screwed to the columns and the header itself. That should help with deflection? Any thoughts? Thank you in advance for your time and expertise.
Replies
Header sizing
Don't have a code book handy, but there are tables that give you header sizing for specific spans and various loads.
Now that I've cover my azz,.. i'm old enough to have used the "rule of two's" on many, many a job. Simplified it is two 2x4 for spand up to 4', two 2x6 for spans up to 6', two 2x8 for spans up to 8', 10's, 12's and so on. IIRC the IRC pretty much follows that for live loads of 40 psf and less with standard dead load of 10 psf.
No point in adding addtional 2x6's. If you are going to that much trouble, just go to your local lumber yard and have them size a p-lam header for your load. using a higher deflection than l/360. Most likely you will end up with two 1 3/4x 8" p-lams.
There are a couple of web sites that have paralam calculators on them if you want to look for them
Thanks Dave, I have heard of the rule of twos from a contractor I hired about 10 Yrs ago.. And that house is still standing. Yes I did check the code but at the time of construction I could only fit 2x8s... I've had the header up for two weeks and nothing has moved (I have 2 doors directly above this header and they are fine). The 2x6s will only be used under the unsupported length since I need to drop the height to match another opening in the room. Thanks again
Correction
I had a brain burp in my reply. should have been telling you about LVL beams, not paralams.
The guys at the tile form would actually recomend something like you are contemplating to stiffen a floor. Adding a horizontal 2x to a vertical joist improves stiffness dramatically according to those folks. It creates a partial I beam structure. They woould suggest glueing and screwing the additional members. Given that you are also able to tie in to the posts on either side and you are doubling up, I would think you would golden. If you really wanted a belt and suspenders, you could spend $15 and get a 4 x 6 instead of 2 - 2x6's
Need clarification
Thanks for the response.. In regards to the additional members I suggested.. I was planning to create an additional header out of 2x6s (thanks for the 4X6 suggestion) and attach it directly under the unsupported length of the header. Are you suggesting the same? Thanks again.