wall header span and load bearing walls

[mark kosse]

Thanks again for all the replies. If you look at Jeff's more difficult picture, imagine half way down the roof span there is an interior wall. My house looks like this but the exterior wall was the outside of the screened in porch. The interior wall was the exterior of the house but was really an interior wall, if that makes sense.

I was wrong in my estimation of roof beam lengths. It is 15' from the peak of the cathedral ceiling to the exterior wall using a floor measurement. The roof is a 23 degree angle. I'm guessing the roof 2X6 studs are about 17', without doing the math.

I have pictures but I'm having trouble resizing them to post. I'll try tomorrow on a different network and see if that helps.

[mark kosse]

Here is a pic of the den showing the main beam at the top of the cathedral ceiling, the wall above the existing windows, the header above the new windows and the roof studs going over the existing wall.

[Doug Carpenter]

Mark,

Send me an email so we can talk on the phone. I have some questions so I'm sure I understand what you are doing.

dougcarpenterbuilder@windstream.net

Thanks, Doug

[mark kosse]

Whew was I wrong! I hadn't taken all the osb off beacuse I didn't have all the windows in. When I did I discovered I had a 2X6 header only above the door. Above the windows is a 2X12 header. I still don't believe the wall bears more than a nailing wall load, but a 2X12 should span 8' either way. Do you concur?

TIA, mark

[Doug Carpenter]

PM sent

Thanks, Doug

[Glen Butler]

It all depends on what loads are on the 2x12. If it has any point load no. If it is holding a simple roof structure spanning less than 30' probably. More recently I never have a header span more than 6' which is not at least 9 1/2" LVL.

[mark kosse]

Geez, I forgot to add pics.


Thanks Doug! Everyone has been helpfull but I'd like to point out how helpful Doug has been. Talking me through a lot and adding great ideas. Thanks again.

Glen, a roof load only, about 17'.

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[Ben Franz]

Mark,

I am a remodeling contractor ....

A contractor named Carpenter - too perfect!