Detached Garage Header Question

[pete_schweaty]

I will be be building a detached garage on a concrete slab in the near future and have a question about the garage door header. The dimensions of the garage are 12x22 with 8 foot walls, and a 6/12 ridge beam roof. The garage door will be on the gable end and non load bearing. Dimensions of the door are 7”x9”.

If I want to keep 8 foot walls I run into a problem with a 2x10 header. 84 inches for the door opening + 3 for the double top plate + 9.5 for the header = 96.5 inches.

Do I rip the header down to 9”? Rip the top plate to 1”? Go with a 2x8 header?

Thanks for all the help.

 

[The Cobbler]

you cannot alter the dimensions of the wood .
a half inch low would probably be OK for your door
what does your plans call for , I don't think you need a 10" headr on a gable wall for a 9' door.
location would help too

 

[billconner]

you really don't need the double top plate across the header

 

[pete_schweaty]

you cannot alter the dimensions of the wood .
a half inch low would probably be OK for your door
what does your plans call for , I don't think you need a 10" headr on a gable wall for a 9' door.
location would help too

Thanks. Location is Baltimore.

 

[pete_schweaty]

you really don't need the double top plate across the header

So I can go with the top plate and then fur down to the header?

 

[nmk_61802]

Dim are incorrect 2x10 is not 9.5”. Be sure to check door head room. Usually 14” is recommended unless using small radius tracks or some other low profile setup

 

[firebirdparts]

2 by 10's these days are typically 9-1/8. Problem solved.

 

[Hank11]

So I can go with the top plate and then fur down to the header?

A single top plate across the header would be OK if it passes your inspection requirements.

While I realize you didn't ask this, I'd surely go with 9 or 10' walls and an 8' door unless you are restricted by regulation. Some big trucks and SUVs are a tight fit (or won't fit) under a 7' door.

 

[billconner]

So I can go with the top plate and then fur down to the header?

I would probably set header tight to top plate and let it extend to corners of building, which I think you need to do anyways with a 9' door in a 12' wall (I think - I assumed 12' wall was table end?) It's a portal frame with lots of anchorage and well fastened sheathing.

You said ridge beam roof. Did you mean that? If so does a 2x10 header support the ridge beam? Just a high point load but 9' is not a big span.

 

[pete_schweaty]

I would probably set header tight to top plate and let it extend to corners of building, which I think you need to do anyways with a 9' door in a 12' wall (I think - I assumed 12' wall was table end?) It's a portal frame with lots of anchorage and well fastened sheathing.

You said ridge beam roof. Did you mean that? If so does a 2x10 header support the ridge beam? Just a high point load but 9' is not a big span.

Apologies. I meant ridge board, not ridge beam.

 

[Skooterj]

Single top plate is common over a garage door header. You might be able to use a smaller header if you used LVL's instead of dimensional lumber, but I'd just use a single top plate. And a 2x10 should be 9 1/4".

 

[jar944]

And a 2x10 should be 9 1/4".

Should be, but not guaranteed. I just had a load of lumber where the 10s were all over the place from 9&1/4" to 9&3/4"

 

[pete_schweaty]

After reading all of this I am leaning towards 10 foot walls and a 8 foot tall door.

 

[Zeke]

After reading all of this I am leaning towards 10 foot walls and a 8 foot tall door.

Well, that's a jump in height. You could have gone 8'6". 10" is always a benefit in some way.

 

[pete_schweaty]

I would probably set header tight to top plate and let it extend to corners of building, which I think you need to do anyways with a 9' door in a 12' wall (I think - I assumed 12' wall was table end?) It's a portal frame with lots of anchorage and well fastened sheathing.

You said ridge beam roof. Did you mean that? If so does a 2x10 header support the ridge beam? Just a high point load but 9' is not a big span.

Now that I am thinking about it, trusses would probably be a better option, huh?

 

[billconner]

Now that I am thinking about it, trusses would probably be a better option, huh?

Rafters and rafter ties or trusses. In your 12' - I'm sure I'd do rafters and ties, because I enjoy that kind of framing. Just did it for a 28' wide building. Also allows for better storage. But I'm sure trusses are faster and, in this case, may not cost much more. (Just no where near as satisfying as rafter cutting!)