wall header span and load bearing walls
Hey folks, Anyone here know much about this? I'm enclosing a 8X24 screened porch. I added 3, 5'X6' picture windows, 2 28"X72" picture windows on each end of those, 2 32"X72" double hungs and I'm about to install the new door.
After that I'm would like to tear out the existing exterior wall and create a 7'X 20' opening with 2 4X4 posts for support. The existing wall has a door and 4, 34"X72" windows in it. The roof rafters are 22' 2X6. the header above the existing windows is 2 single piece 2X6's with .5 plywood in between. I want to span 8' between the 2 columns, if possible. Because the roof rafters are also a single piece of lumber it doesn't appear that this is a load bearing wall, just a support wall. The wall the roof rafters rest on is 2 single piece 2X10's, 24' long with .5 ply in between. The existing room is a cathedral ceiling room.
I've had 2 friends look at this. Both, like me, know enough to be dangerous. Both didn't think it was a load bearing wall and both didn't think an 8' span would be a problem. I know that 2, 2X6's should only span 6' on a load bearing wall. How do I figure out if the wall is load bearing or not? Would adding another 2X6 with .5 ply solve the problem? Tearing out the existing header would be a lot of work I would like to avoid, if possible.
Sorry if my construction terms are not quite right. I also understand that it is hard to diagnose over the internet. This is very rural property and it's hard to get anyone to come look at it. I just need some opinions.
Thanks, Mark
1 Attachment(s)
Just to clarify orientation
Here is a quck sketch of a gable end and side wall oreintation. As already stated the gable end would be easier to do as the load of the roof is carried by the side walls. When you say roof rafters do you mean the ones that are parallel with the ground? As I would call them the ceiling joists, the rafters are the ones that create the roof. Just trying to get it all straight in my head. So as the sketch shows each way, to do it on a side wall would take a lot more engineering and some proper support of the existing ceiling with a temporary wall built in the existing room. Then the old wall could be torn out and the proper structural beam could be put into place to support the roof and ceiling. If it is the gable end the process will be easier as there will be very little load down on the wall.
Hope the little sketch helps clarify the opening location.
Stay safe,
Jeff