Garage Door Opening Header Size

Begin by using a tape measure to determine the width and height of the door opening in inches.

Garage door opening header size.

If you are installing a 9 wide door the opening will be 9 3 wide. Most vertical track systems. Timberstrand header comes only in 3 widths in depths that range from 4 3 8 to 18. It is worth noting that the 18 foot garage door header application pushed timberstrand beyond its structural limit.

Measure the head room the distance between the top. The size of the door will. Window door garage door headers supporting roof loads only. Measure the width of your door frame.

If the opening will be 5 to 6 feet wide such as for double doors then you will need two 2 by 10 headers. Next measure the sideroom or space available on the left and right sides of the opening. Their is no notching permitted in the center third of any beam. Both headers and girders are beams that are oriented horizontally and transfer load down to walls piers or posts.

Frame the rough opening to a height that is 1 5 taller than the door that you have selected. 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. Most door frames that are 4 feet wide or less require a 2 by 6 header. Although single plies are permitted they are not recommended.

Window door garage door headers supporting roof wall floor loads. For an opening 6 to 7 feet wide you will need two 2 by 12 headers. When in doubt use 2 by 12 inch headers. Frame the rough opening to 3 inches wider than the garage door size you have selected.

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.