I want to expand a door opening from 3' -6'. What size of lumber and beam
type do I need to use to create the beam. It is a bearing wall in the
basement.

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On Wed, 15 Feb 2017 23:44:03 GMT, Mike m wrote:

I want to expand a door opening from 3' -6'. What size of lumber and beam
type do I need to use to create the beam. It is a bearing wall in the
basement.

Consult an architectural engineer.

Gordon Shumway wrote:
On Wed, 15 Feb 2017 23:44:03 GMT, Mike
m wrote:

I want to expand a door opening from 3' -6'. What size of lumber
and beam type do I need to use to create the beam. It is a bearing
wall in the basement.

Consult an architectural engineer.

There are online calculators for that . The one I used recommended doubled
2x10's with a 1/2" ply between for a span of 10 feet between supports for my
main floor beams . So I supported them every 8 feet ... my floors don't
"bounce" . I expect that would also be suitable for the OP's header .
To the OP - you will need to support the floor joists on BOTH sides of the
wall while you modify the opening since it is a load wall for the structure
above .
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Snag

On 2/15/17 11:42 PM, Terry Coombs wrote:
Gordon Shumway wrote:
On Wed, 15 Feb 2017 23:44:03 GMT, Mike
m wrote:

I want to expand a door opening from 3' -6'. What size of lumber
and beam type do I need to use to create the beam. It is a bearing
wall in the basement.

Consult an architectural engineer.

There are online calculators for that . The one I used recommended doubled
2x10's with a 1/2" ply between for a span of 10 feet between supports for my
main floor beams . So I supported them every 8 feet ... my floors don't
"bounce" . I expect that would also be suitable for the OP's header .
To the OP - you will need to support the floor joists on BOTH sides of the
wall while you modify the opening since it is a load wall for the structure
above .

Would the OP need an inspection? How would that impact on a DIY beam?

On Thursday, February 16, 2017 at 11:42:36 AM UTC-5, Kurt V. Ullman wrote:
On 2/15/17 11:42 PM, Terry Coombs wrote:
Gordon Shumway wrote:
On Wed, 15 Feb 2017 23:44:03 GMT, Mike
m wrote:

I want to expand a door opening from 3' -6'. What size of lumber
and beam type do I need to use to create the beam. It is a bearing
wall in the basement.

Consult an architectural engineer.

There are online calculators for that . The one I used recommended doubled
2x10's with a 1/2" ply between for a span of 10 feet between supports for my
main floor beams . So I supported them every 8 feet ... my floors don't
"bounce" . I expect that would also be suitable for the OP's header .
To the OP - you will need to support the floor joists on BOTH sides of the
wall while you modify the opening since it is a load wall for the structure
above .

Would the OP need an inspection? How would that impact on a DIY beam?

Depends on the local requirements. Here in NJ, since it's structural,
it would need a permit and inspection. And how substantial the support
needs to be would seem to depend on what the load is that it's supporting
from above.

On Thu, 16 Feb 2017 11:42:28 -0500, "Kurt V. Ullman"
wrote:

On 2/15/17 11:42 PM, Terry Coombs wrote:
Gordon Shumway wrote:
On Wed, 15 Feb 2017 23:44:03 GMT, Mike
m wrote:

I want to expand a door opening from 3' -6'. What size of lumber
and beam type do I need to use to create the beam. It is a bearing
wall in the basement.

Consult an architectural engineer.

There are online calculators for that . The one I used recommended doubled
2x10's with a 1/2" ply between for a span of 10 feet between supports for my
main floor beams . So I supported them every 8 feet ... my floors don't
"bounce" . I expect that would also be suitable for the OP's header .
To the OP - you will need to support the floor joists on BOTH sides of the
wall while you modify the opening since it is a load wall for the structure
above .

Would the OP need an inspection? How would that impact on a DIY beam?
Definitely requires a permit - and with that usually an inspection.
DIY is OK as long as it meets the spec. Best to have calculations you
can show indicating the solution you are proposing excedes
requirements. They MIGHT require a signed engineer's drawing, but
unlikely as there is a current opening. You DO need to make sure there
is a proper footing under where the load point will be located on both
sides.

"Mike" wrote in message ...

I want to expand a door opening from 3' -6'. What size of lumber and beam
type do I need to use to create the beam. It is a bearing wall in the
basement.

It's tough to say without more information.

Will you be doing the work yourself or have someone else do the work? If
someone else will be doing the work, you can start by making sure it is
someone who has the know-how and skills to do it properly and safely. An
experienced framer will know various ways to achieve what you want. And,
depending on what you have there now, he/she may be able to show you ways to
avoid having a drop-down beam across the top that brings the opening down
lower than you want it to be. -- such as by using a "flush mount support
beam" (Google that term).

Will you be getting a permit to do the work? If so, the entity that issues
the permit will tell you what they require in terms of drawings, possibly
structural engineer's report, etc.

If you are doing it without a permit, you can still hire a structural
engineer for a few hundred dollars (maybe less than $300) to look at what
you have and sketch out a design plan that would work and be safe etc.

Good luck. let us know what you end up doing.


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On Thu, 16 Feb 2017 10:08:22 -0800 (PST), trader_4
wrote:

Would the OP need an inspection? How would that impact on a DIY beam?

Depends on the local requirements. Here in NJ, since it's structural,
it would need a permit and inspection. And how substantial the support
needs to be would seem to depend on what the load is that it's supporting
from above.

Some garages use a steel I beam for a double car garage span. Building
my patio cover I used a LAM Beam for a 24 foot span on three columns.
There are concrete lentils used for windows & doors.

posted for all of us...



On Thu, 16 Feb 2017 11:42:28 -0500, "Kurt V. Ullman"
wrote:

On 2/15/17 11:42 PM, Terry Coombs wrote:
Gordon Shumway wrote:
On Wed, 15 Feb 2017 23:44:03 GMT, Mike
m wrote:

I want to expand a door opening from 3' -6'. What size of lumber
and beam type do I need to use to create the beam. It is a bearing
wall in the basement.

Consult an architectural engineer.

There are online calculators for that . The one I used recommended doubled
2x10's with a 1/2" ply between for a span of 10 feet between supports for my
main floor beams . So I supported them every 8 feet ... my floors don't
"bounce" . I expect that would also be suitable for the OP's header .
To the OP - you will need to support the floor joists on BOTH sides of the
wall while you modify the opening since it is a load wall for the structure
above .

Would the OP need an inspection? How would that impact on a DIY beam?
Definitely requires a permit - and with that usually an inspection.
DIY is OK as long as it meets the spec. Best to have calculations you
can show indicating the solution you are proposing excedes
requirements. They MIGHT require a signed engineer's drawing, but
unlikely as there is a current opening. You DO need to make sure there
is a proper footing under where the load point will be located on both
sides.

The last sentence here is important. It will involve more work than you
think...

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Tekkie