Dealing with a pretty unique situation at my house. I’m adding a new door from my bedroom to a bathroom that I’m converting into our new laundry room. The wall in which I’m putting the door is load bearing and used to be an exterior wall before the previous owner built an addition. It is a single story ranch home with 2×6 framing on a block foundation in central Ohio. I believe it’s a double top plate but I’m not sure. The height of the wall is relatively low – just 82” from the top of the foundation to the bottom of the top plate.
If I make a rough opening for a 33 1/2″ x 77 1/2” tall door (an available size from a local vendor that seems like my best option as far as height and price), I have just enough room for a 2×4 header. For the header I would like to use three 2x4s with layers of ½” plywood sandwiched in-between. That would come out to exactly 5 ½ inches, which is perfect for my 2×6 framing. There would not be any cripple studs above the header since the top of it would rest directly under the top plate. My main question: is a triple 2×4 header sufficient for a 35” rough opening on a load bearing exterior wall? If so, should I do double jack studs with single king studs, or would you recommend something else? I would obviously prefer a 2×6 or 2×8 header, but I don’t have room without making the door a lot shorter. I’m hoping the triple 2×4 makes up for the difference.
Replies
A 4x header should be adequate for that span. I'd just use a 4x6 turned flat. Save all that troubled building up something questionable.
I'd do a double 2x6 header, with 1/2" ply between the 2-2x. Everything vertical. You'll get more strength over the 2x and ply on the flat, and it'll be the same size as you want.
If you use 2x6s flat, you can laminate them sequentially up to the top plate, use a mild force fit for the jacks and get still more stiffness or perhaps a taller rough opening.
what exactly is over the wall where you plan to put the doorway?
I am wondering if you can carry the loads above rather than skimp on the header.
what loads are the wall actually carrying? how long is the span you are supporting?
The short answer is that yes, a triple 2x4 would be fine, assuming the roof above isn't wider than say, 28 feet.
Not one of these guys has a clue what they are talking about. Go with your plan. It will work or it won't. Everything the commenters are saying will not work. They probably saw Bob Vila on the TV a couple tines and work at a bank or an auto repair shop.