One of my next projects will be to replace these 3 windows in our loft (over the front door). Right now there are 3 side-by-side windows (each is a single hung window). They have this cedar trim between them (and around them) and I suspect that between each of them is an upright 2×4. I am thinking there is one header above all three of them. I will not know until I start tearing apart the wall more. What I would like to know is if I can install one window instead of 3 separate windows, and remove the vertical 2×4’s. I know I can order 3 windows that are sort of connected by the window manufacturer, and will appear to be 3 separate windows. What I don’t know is how to determine if, once I find there is only one header above it all, if this header is built up enough to be able to remove the 2×4’s and it will not sag in the years to come. Is there something that determines the span of a header and how to determine if it will sag? or not sag?
Thanks for any advice. I hope I have explained this so it is understandable. Oh, by the way, this whole wall of the house is being redone, so I can redo the window opening anyway I’d like to, but if I can stay with the same header and remove the 2×4’s then it would be a little less work for me. Thanks for your help!
Sue
Replies
Sue, there are span tables that can tell you what size header you need, or an engineer can size one especially for your situation. Unfortunately the first thing you need to do is find out exactly what the header you have is.
What determines the size of the header, besides the length, is what the floor load and roof load are on the beam. If this is a gable wall, you just need to worry about floor load. If your loft isn't too big that helps too. Builders often oversize headers so there's a good chance you'll be fine with what you have, but you better make sure first.
Mike
Hi Mike -
Thanks so much. This wall is actually a 2 story wall at one end of a living room. The other end of the living room, is a one story wall. So, the roof is a big slant, like a shed roof. The little loft space is about 8 ft. x 12 ft. and goes across the 2 story end of the living room. Centered in this wall is the front door, and these windows are centered over the front door on the 2nd story. I am beginning to think it will be easier to just install 3 separate windows, re-do all the sheathing, flashing, etc., than have a structural engineer take a look or for me to figure out the load speifications myself. We have had a structural engineer come out to tell us we could remove an interior wall about a year ago (in a different part of the house) and it was about $400. I better save the money and just install 3 separate windows... What do you think? I really don't want to re-make this header. The entire wall is going to be re-done -- stucco removed, sheathing removed, plywood redone, and then Tyvek house wrap, metal lath, and new stucco, and new windows. This project seems to be a runaway snow ball as it is. But I will take apart enough of the wall to see what kind of header is there, and will post back here in day or so. Thanks for your insight. I appreciate it. Sue
removing three headers to make it one big window is worth it. its not hard and could be done by any qualified framer in just a few hours. its all done from the inside and should be able to be done with nothing to repair on the outside of the house. have an engineer spec it out for you. the big question is is ther enough room for the size of header needed to fit above the window. is you wall 2x4 or 2x6. to get the required head room might require an engineered beem rather than just regular lumber.
http://www.urbanworkshop.ca/page_2147484146.html
if you mouse over the picture on the top right, you can see just what your talking about. its a bay window with 1 on each side and 2 in the middle. we changed it so the center was 1. it took me 2 hours to restructure it.
good luck
Tmaxxx
Urban Workshop Ltd
Vancouver B.C.
Now when i nod my head, you hit it.