It's my understanding that the gable end (14') walls in the 14x24 Little House are non-loadbearing. It is also my understanding that I don't need full blown headers over the windows (or doors) in those two walls. Is this correct?
I am planning on putting a window (35"x35") in one wall and a 6' (I think) sliding glass door in the other. So, what should I put above these, header-wise? Is a single 2x4 laying flat with 2x4 trimmers at each end ok? I can't find a lot of detail on this in construction books, as they seem to handle only internal NLBW in detail.
Thanks,
PK
P.S. - I've got some pics of our progress up now. I'll post a link in the builder's sections.
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#1: (a) It's my understanding that the gable end (14') walls in the 14x24 Little House are non-loadbearing. It is also my understanding that I don't need full blown headers over the windows (or doors) in those two walls.
Is this correct?
I am planning on putting a window (35"x35") in one wall and a 6' (I think) sliding glass door in the other.
#2: (a) So, what should I put above these, header-wise?
(b) Is a single 2x4 laying flat with 2x4 trimmers at each end ok?
(c) I can't find a lot of detail on this in construction books, as they seem to handle only internal NLBW in detail.
Thanks,
PK
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#1 : (a) Sort of .
#2: (a) Over a window 4' or smaller I'd use a dbled up 2x4 with 1/2" spacer to net 3 1/2", put it in like a header up on edge. If your using 2x4 exterior walls .
If 2x6 walls I'd use dbl 2x4 header with a 2x6 on the flat under it .
This provides for the interior S/R and trim nailing and exterior window , trim and siding nailing .
It also will stiffen the wall over the window .
(b) It would be BUT your wall will be "flimsy", not stiff/ rattley in a wind storm. IMO.
(c) Modified ballon framing is sort of non standard these days.
Over a 6' door I'd use at least a dbl 2x6 for all the same reason's. Thats a wide span / opening in a tall-ish wall . "Stiffing" of the wall not bearing support would be my concern.
G/L PEG
Great! Thanks for the info. I'll do the doubled 2x4 sandwich for the window and a 2x6 sandwich for the sliding glass window.
Time to change my drawings. I'm using qcad, which is a fairly useful open-source (well, the community verision is) 2-D cad program.
Thanks again,
PK
Sometimes header sizes are chosen for their bulk, not structural properties.
As in--"we always use 2x8 headers above the windows because we want all the opening tops to be on a line, and that works for a door too."
There is very little structural load on a gable end wall (just the weight of the wall in the case of the little house).
That said, some sort of header is a good idea for the reasons already mentioned. Also, putting in a more standard header would be a very good idea if you ever want to run a shed roof off the gable end wall. This is a common way to do a small addition and someday somebody may want to do it.