DIYbanter - View Single Post

On 17 Feb 2006 10:26:59 -0800, wrote:

Hi: It's a load bearing interior wall (2nd floor if that matters)

1) Is the header just two 2x4's or 2x6's fastened together on their
side attached to the top plate?
2) Is there one jack stud under each side of the header (or two?) and
then full studs next to that?

Thank you.

If it's load bearing, then you have to figure out what load
it's bearing. If there's a post coming down on it from
above, move the door. If it's just one or two joists,
for the floor or ceiling above, use two peices of lumber
the same size as the joists, with 1/2" plywood between to
make the thickness work out right. For a normal sized
doorway, just doubling the studs at the doorposts is enough,
but the lintel sits ON the second stud, it's not toenailed
to it. If there's another load-bearing wall above,
use the biggest lumber for the lintel you can make fit,
up to a pair of 2x12s.