What size header do you need for 10′, 6′, 8′, 12′ &16 foot span load bearing wall depends on several factors like building code, load, grade and species of wood and construction requirements.
A header is a horizontal beam generally made of timber that provided along the opening in exterior wall and interior load bearing wall in full length for doorway, window, skylight or stairway. Wood header provide structural support in wood frame construction.
Typically header is provided at least twice size then any other surrounding members such as rafter purlin and stud. It is often made of two to four joists, rafter or studs. It runs between full length supports and along its length and carry the load of shorter studs, joists or rafter that terminate at the opening.
The header helps to provide support, stability and strength to the top and side sections of the door frame. The header for a window & door is seems like a bridge that transferring the weight above it to the floor and foundation below.
Doors in a load-bearing wall that holds the weight of the house, created by beams and trusses, need a larger header than those in non-load-bearing walls. The header is usually made out of dimensional lumber installed on its edge. Calculating and know the size of the header depends on what the header needs to support.
Headers carry the weight of the structure above and transfer it to the trimmers down to the floors and foundations below. Longer openings such as in garage require larger headers. Load bearing walls those that carry the weight of joists and trusses require larger headers than non-bearing wall.
In this article you know about what size header for 10 foot, 6 foot, 8 foot, 12 foot, & 16 foot span load bearing wall that will help you in better understanding and to figure out or estimate of header size and their depth and help in important for you to use the right size header.
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What size header for 10′, 6′, 8′, 12′ &16 foot span load bearing wall
Typically for load-bearing wall, the size of the header for a 10-foot span is typically almost 3-2×12, while the size of the header for a 12-foot span is typically almost 4-2×12. Moreover, the size of the header for a 6-foot span is typically almost 2-2×8, while the size of the header for an 8-foot span is typically almost 2-2×12. In addition, the size of the header for a 16-foot span is typically almost 2-1-3/4″×16″.
What size header for 10 foot span load bearing wall
The size of the header for a 10-foot span load-bearing wall need to be 3-2×12 size lumber which includes a 12 inch depth and a 6 inch width. So, a triple 2×12 size header and 2 jack studs on each side is required for a 10 foot span load bearing exterior wall.
What size header for 12 foot span load bearing wall
The size of the header for a 12-foot span load-bearing wall need to be 4-2×12 size lumber which includes a 12 inch depth and a 8 inch width. So, a quadruple 2×12 size header and 2 jack studs on each side is required for a 12 foot span load bearing exterior wall.
What size header for 6 foot span load bearing wall
The size of the header for a 6-foot span load-bearing wall need to be 2-2×8 size lumber which includes an 8 inch depth and a 4 inch width. So, a double 2×8 size header and 2 jack studs on each side is required for a 6 foot span load bearing exterior wall.
What size header for 8 foot span load bearing wall
The size of the header for an 8-foot span load-bearing wall need to be 2-2×12 size lumber which includes a 12 inch depth and a 4 inch width. So, a double 2×12 size header and 2 jack studs on each side is required for an 8 foot span load bearing exterior wall.
What size header for 16 foot span load bearing wall
The size of the header for a 16-foot span load-bearing wall need to be (2)-1-3/4″×16″ size an engineered wood (Versa-lam, Glulam, or LVL) which includes a 16 inch depth and a 3-1/2 inch width. So, a double 1-3/4×16 inch size header and 3 jack studs on each side is required for a 16 foot span load bearing exterior wall.
Conclusion:-
Typically for the load bearing wall, for a 12 foot span, you will need atleast 4- 2×12 size of header, while for a 16 foot span, you will need atleast 2- 1 3/4×16 inch of header. Moreover, for a 10 foot span, you will need atleast 3- 2×12 size of header, while for an 8 foot span, you will need atleast 2- 2×12 size of header. In addition, for a 6 foot span, you will need atleast 2- 2×8 size of header.