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I’m helping a friend with a project in which he wants to remove a pair of windows and turn them into a doorway. They are two 2’6″ wide windows side by side seperated by a single 2X4 which is centered in the space. Above are doubled 2X6’s. The header bears a second floor and roof above. Will the doubled 2X6’s carry the full 5′ span if the center 2X4 is removed? If not, and it’s necessary to replace the header, what’s the appropriate size? Will doubled 2X8’s be sufficient?
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I don't know why it's holding up now without sag.
Rule of thumb for header with no floor above - just roof - is that 6" spans six feet, eight inch spans eight feet, ten inch spans ten feet - all doubled, of course. Gotta check engineering with floor above.
*I'd recommend 2-2X10 header for a 61.5" opening, unless there's a large point load above. If just standard wall above (ie. no beams bearing on), you'll be OK
*How much roof is it carrying ? How much floor load ? It isn't just the length of the header that matters, but what it's carrying. That's why I never give structural advice without seeing the job first. Too many variables.
*Ron's right. You have to consider the header in context, as part of a structural system. Other factors that haven't been mentioned are the sheathing (or lack thereof) on each side of the header - shear strength of the sheathing nails come into play, too. I built a beam for my house that spans 29 feet, carries the clerestory floor, half the downstairs roof, and half the upstairs roof - all it has is 2x6 framing and sheeted both sides with plywood. If you have enough height, and sheath it right, say 3/4" plywood outside and MDO inside, those 2X6's might work just fine. Box beams can be a beautiful alternative to structural members. Old remodelers deal with this stuff all the time; try to find one nearby and maybe he/she could take a look. Funny thing about all the old houses I have torn into over the years with no headers - many are just as straight as the day they were built. And I believe the plywoods we use today are stronger than the 3/4" shiplap they used to sheath with...food for thought.
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I'm helping a friend with a project in which he wants to remove a pair of windows and turn them into a doorway. They are two 2'6" wide windows side by side seperated by a single 2X4 which is centered in the space. Above are doubled 2X6's. The header bears a second floor and roof above. Will the doubled 2X6's carry the full 5' span if the center 2X4 is removed? If not, and it's necessary to replace the header, what's the appropriate size? Will doubled 2X8's be sufficient?