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Header Size Help

N

nafterclifen

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 22, 2014
Messages
525
Location
Poconos, PA
Can anyone tell me, as per the 2015 IBC...


  1. What the <u>MINIMUM</u> window header size should be for an
    8' wide and 78" high 3-lite vinyl sliding window (XOX) in a 10' long, 8' high 2x6 wall? Current plans have <b>double</b> 2x10's.

  2. What the <u>MINIMUM</u> door header size should be for a
    10' wide and 80" high (4-panel patio sliding door, OXXO) in a 12' long, 8' high 2x6 wall? Current plans have <b>triple</b> 2x10's.

And if you were building/installing the above, what would you do above and beyond the minimum code?
 
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Innovate1

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 28, 2014
Messages
4,289
Location
Illinois near St. Louis, Missouri
I depends on how long the trusses are that are supported (or if it is a gable end) or what other loads are on the headers. That's a little like asking how big of a jack do I need without stating what vehicle is being lifted. 10' wide is a long span. I have double 2 x 12s for 9' span for a roof with 30' long trusses which is fairly short. I am not too familiar with the code but more going from an engineering perspective.

Going deeper (2 x 12 instead of 2 x 10) gives a significant increase in strength. You can also go to LVLs. Most headers are double if possible with a layer of insulation as wood isn't a good thermal insulator.

There are free calculators available on line if you want to go through the numbers. A little mechanical/engineering background helps if you go this route for knowing how to plug in the numbers and being able to know if the answers seem reasonable.
 
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