Header Size For Garage Door Opening

The span above the door opening is framed with a long header that supports the wall area above the door and this header will need to be raised or rebuilt in order to increase the overall door size.

Header size for garage door opening. The structural ridge span represents the size of a large family room. Most door frames that are 4 feet wide or less require a 2 by 6 header. Window door garage door headers supporting roof wall floor loads. Tables providing size selections for various beam spans and loading combinations for southern pine dimension lumber and southern pine glued laminated timber are available for the following applications.

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. The span for the girder is based on the size of an average sized game room. Cut two 2 x 6 pieces of lumber and attach to the face of the wall running from the edge of your garage door jambs to the ceiling of your garage. When in doubt use 2 by 12 inch headers.

If you are creating an opening no wider than 4 feet for a door or smaller window then you need a 2 by 6 header. My first job as a carpenter s helper was to construct headers for the tract houses we were building. This lumber will be used to attach your garage door track and a portion of your assembly. If the opening will be 5 to 6 feet wide such as for double doors then you will need two 2 by 10 headers.

And the garage door header is based on a 2 car garage door opening. Header spans are typical for a window and a patio door. The clever way i used to build headers. Window door garage door headers supporting roof loads only.

Many home builders do not consider this a structural necessity but a style and price choice for the homeowner. Measure the width of your door frame. Many homeowners have two cars and need garage space to shelter them both. The right header size.

Many 16 x 7 garage doors will be designed with a pair of single 8 foot garage door bays separated by a central post or column. The standard size for double garage doors is 16 feet wide and 7 to 8 feet high. Table 1 consolidates loading sizes and cost data for all of the applications. If you are putting in an opening between 4 and 5 feet wide then you ll need two 2 by 8 headers.