Replacing wood header with steel

[Bill]

After 30 minutes on Google I did not find the answer to my question- so I come to the experts TBH.

We’re building new construction and the RO for the front door is 96” high by 84”. We’re too low for an 8’ door with frame above. All 2x 6 framing.

I’m trying to figure out the equivalent steel i beam height if I replaced the 2, 2x10s in the header. It should give us a couple more inches in the vertical opening for the 8’ front doors.

I am not going to do anything without getting the structural engineering firm that did the load and wind shear analysis, but first I’d like to know what is possible.

Thanks.




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[TexasBob]

No help but that view out of your door is stunning.

[Texastaxi]

A wood 2x6 is good for a 9' span.

[doright]

A lot of lumber yards can give you what you need with an engineered laminate beam. I have put several in spanning garage openings.

[Philip-TX]

Enigneer will be able to to that no prob.

prob even a glu-lam will work.

Don't forget to maintain (the steel) RO high enough , to allow for some wood furring or something to wrap the steel with. Might help attaching door frame and sheetrock/finishings/trim,etc.

[cj7zrcool]

You're going to need approx. 100" for the rough opening height on an 8'0" exterior door. I know nothing about steel I-Beam loading, but look into triple 1-3/4"x7-1/2" LVLs for your header. Would be more than enough for standard construction, just not sure about the snow load factor.

[Blank]

Echo the above comment. Stay away from steel unless you are spanning a really long area. Will you have a second story supported by this header? Versa-Lam LVL beams would be the way to go, and the local lumber yard would be able to calculate for you. They (LVL) have a great website for you to research, and even two 1.75x7.5" would carry over 400 psf.

[Bill]

Replacing wood header with steel

Thanks. I hadn’t thought of replacing the headers with an lvl/ glue lam. I’ll check with builder if it requires an engineering analysis or not.

The view to the east through front door is the Tobacco Roots mountains, which we’re in the ‘foothills’. The real views are west across the valley and the Ruby Mountains.




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[az2tx]

A wood 2x6 is good for a 9' span.

Not bearing a load

[Mudslinger]

A wood 2x6 is good for a 9' span.

Would not pass inspection if one was needed.

[Cookiemonster1]

LVL's are very good and can cover huge Spans.

[Dale Moser]

Lam beams are the way to go. Another solution would be to use 2 2X8s with a piece of 3X16" plate steel sandwiched in between them, and through bolted.

[az2tx]

You can also gain 3" by making the header full length and losing the dbl top plates

[Bill]

You can also gain 3" by making the header full length and losing the dbl top plates

Great idea- thanks


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[Paycheck]

I don't know but if you fly me up there I will figure it out