How To Calculate Door Header Size

Factors such as number of stories interior bearing or exterior bearing wall design snow load width dimensions of building etc.

How to calculate door header size. All play a role in picking the header size off the table. Most door frames that are 4 feet wide or less require a 2 by 6 header. That said a 15 foot opening is off the charts of the irc and will need an engineer sealed plan to pass inspection. Header spans are typical for a window and a patio door.

For standard header framing if you have an opening or span of x number of feet the matrix will tell you what size it must be to support that size of span. Works with evenly distributed loads only. The column on the left of each chart labeled beam span represents the beam length with bearing required for your project. Between 4 and 5 feet the header should be built 2 inches wide and 8 inches long while a larger opening needs a header that is 2 by 12.

Snow loads can vary tremendously as can roof ceiling and floor loads and the various. Click on the appropriate beam this will take you to the calculation table for your project. Calculate the size needed for a beam girder or header made from no. When in doubt use 2 by 12 inch headers.

Measure the width of your door frame. Step 4 choose the dimension that best fits your design whether you re building from custom calculations or a standard framing matrix. Table 1 consolidates loading sizes and cost data for all of the applications. If you will be putting in a new window or door you can use its dimensions to calculate the header size.

Determine the beam header span length and the span carried supported by the beam header. The structural ridge span represents the size of a large family room. Simply put a header in this case is a horizontal member that spans a wall opening such as a door or window to transfer loads from above down and around that opening. 2 pine or lvl.

There are too many load variables to consider in one simple formula or rule. Garage door header size calculator posted on october 29 2019 by bandi ruma wood beam design and installation no headers in nonbearing walls code notes window headers and door garage door header size headroom door frame and calculation. If the opening will be 5 to 6 feet wide such as for double doors then you will need two 2 by 10 headers. For an opening 6 to 7 feet wide you will need two 2 by 12 headers.

The span for the girder is based on the size of an average sized game room. And the garage door header is based on a 2 car garage door opening.