Double garage door conversion......

[mikesfastss]

So I have two 8 wide garage doors and would like to change it to one 16’ door in the near future and was wondering what I should do with the header for the door, it has one continuous header now. I’m a competent carpenter and can do the work just not sure what the requirements are for header sizing. Anyone ever do this? I can post pics tomorrow when I’m home from work if it helps.

 

[CombatNinja]

There is so much at play that can push your requirements in one direction or the other. Is the wall you are looking at altering load-bearing or not? You can post some pictures and it will help us figure out what you are working with but I would still get a structural engineer to take a look at it if the wall is obviously load-bearing.

 

[PAToyota]

It's one continuous header now, but the wall between the two doors is supporting it in the middle - so the header won't support the full span without that middle wall.


As Ninja says, a lot of factors involved in calculating the header to support over the opening.

 

[Hot Rod Grampa]

Most municipalities have some kind of building code. Anytime you alter a load carrying wall you need permits. As said, too many variables to guess but if you pretend it's new construction spec out a lvl for the span. Most real lumber yards would be able to get you real close.

 

[SGKent]

I think it will also depend upon the weight above it in the roof and if there is another story. Best to have a structural engineer look at it, give you plans, and get a permit. My guess is it won't be much for something that simple. I put in a Triangle ceiling fan a few years ago and had to cut a truss support to get it to fit right. It cost me like $150 to get the drawing to replace the truss. I am not a carpenter but it was really easy to follow them. Code guy even checked the size, number, and placement of nails the engineer put in the drawing.

 

[mikesfastss]

From what I’ve been told this is a non load bearing wall and it shouldn’t require a lot to make the change.

 

[redneckcharlie]

What is the existing header now? That’s a gable end and should not have weight if you have conventional truss’s. If it’s a doubled up 2x12, your fine. No need for an engineer. That’s a pretty standard setup.

 

[CombatNinja]

Show us a picture of the trusses inside. As redneckcharlie said, if they are 'traditional' trusses, you are good to go. The gable ends of that building bear no weight from the structure. That said, you are going to have to determine the thickness and species of wood making up the header. Some long spans can sag just under their own weight if it is the wrong type of wood.

 

[CraigStu]

It will be pretty unusual to have a load bearing truss on that end wall. Look at the inside. Is the truss made of of diagonals just like all the other trusses? If so you may be in luck. If the truss has all vertical 2x4s it is not load bearing.

 

[mikesfastss]

Sorry for the late reply, I’ve been swamped at work. It’s an old garage( 1935) and the end where the doors are has a 2x12 header maybe 2 hard to tell with out moving a bunch of stuff from the rafter storage area. The other end of the garage has vertical boards at the end. I’m gonna have a guy I know swing buy and check it out. This project is still in the planning phase lol.

 

[Hilltopmasonry]

This homeowner hated his center pier as well and always wished he had one single door

He got lucky and the company that plowed their snow helped him out and nailed it with a skidsteer...pushed the center pier in 2 whole feet! It turned into an emergency job because the guy couldn’t get his cars out and the whole brick veneer was on the verge of collapsing. It’s always a joy when it’s 7° out and I am tearing down a brick wall

Homeowner was happy, the general contractor in charge of snow maintenance wasn’t so happy

I had to remove all of the brick veneer off since it was going to collapse

Reframed and new custom 17’ wide door



Finished the brickwork, Post shore was temporary just to keep the angle iron from sagging until the mortar fully cured

Homeowner said he loves it now because he can pull his car in the middle of the garage and unload groceries or vacuum his car out, Plus he never has to worry about catching his mirrors anymore

 

[The Cobbler]

^^^ that was quite the hit !
It's times like this where I hope he had insurance (Plow guy)

 

[Hilltopmasonry]

^^^ that was quite the hit !
It's times like this where I hope he had insurance (Plow guy)

It’s a general contractor that I do a lot of work for, he of course has insurance but he did not claim it because he’s had several claims in the last few years so he paid for it out of pocket... he has quite the snow plow operation and I believe he has 28 skid steer’s all over the city that are strictly for pushing snow which are warehoused all summer long

I Helped him out on this one quite a bit because he did a lot of work for me on my house for free

It still cost him quite a few grand


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[The Cobbler]

good on you. good karma !