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what size header?

fartherhome | Posted in General Discussion on August 5, 2005 04:01am

What size beam would you put over an 8′ slider on an exterior wall? THis is not  a gable wall  and this wall has a shed, porch roof bearing across the entire length.Thanks in advance.

                                         Mike

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  1. User avater
    hammer1 | Aug 05, 2005 04:21pm | #1

    How wide is your framing, Mike? 2x4 or 2x6. What type of material are you using for your other headers, built up, boxed, LVL, solid? Remember, you have to have the proper rough opening height under the header to fit the door into. Overall stud height will determine how wide the header can be and that will determine the material.

    Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

    1. fartherhome | Aug 05, 2005 04:33pm | #2

      I figure to at least use a 2x12 sandwich.Its a 4" wall .

      1. User avater
        hammer1 | Aug 05, 2005 05:41pm | #3

        If there is nothing exceptional about the load it will carry, a 2x10 sandwich would do the trick, 2x12 is even better. Just make sure you have the RO correct and allow for the door to clear underlayment, flooring and scatter rugs if you plan to use any of them. I like to use double jacks on wide openings.Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

        1. fartherhome | Aug 05, 2005 05:56pm | #4

          No special issues with the shed porch roof bearing on that wall?

          1. User avater
            Soultrain | Aug 05, 2005 06:01pm | #5

            I would think  that most of the load from the porch roof would be on the outside edge of your porch since (unless you have a very interesting porch) it is sloped away from the house.

          2. FastEddie1 | Aug 05, 2005 06:46pm | #7

            on the outside edge of your porch since  it is sloped away from the house.

            What does the slope have to do with it?  Half the roof load is on the outside columns, and half is on the house wall.

             I'm sorry, I thought you wanted it done the right way.

          3. User avater
            Soultrain | Aug 05, 2005 07:34pm | #9

            You are correct.  I was thinking along the lines of a normal gable roof bearing only on the outside walls.  A shed roof would be different.

          4. User avater
            hammer1 | Aug 05, 2005 06:03pm | #6

            Not unless it's a very low slope, long rafters and heavy snow loads.Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

          5. fartherhome | Aug 05, 2005 06:51pm | #8

            I was thinking there might be some lateral force. Im sure it would be minimal, however cause the roof bears on the entire width of the house. thanks

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