If you are planning to construct a garage then what size header do you need for a garage door and what should be a rough opening for a garage door these two questions always come to your mind. Because a rough opening and perfect header size for the garage door are very important for any garage. In my previous article, I explained about rough opening for a garage door. In this article, I’m going to explain to you what size header you need for a garage door.
What is header
Generally, the header is a horizontal beam that is placed on two walls. The header is made up of timber and Laminated veneer lumber (LVL). The header of a door is very important because the header carries the load of the above structure and transfers it into the walls. The wall transfers all load in the foundation by using a plinth beam.
What size header do I need for a garage door?
The standard size of the header for a garage door is 9 inches longer than the door and the depth of the header (LVL beam) should be at least for a garage door is 8 inches. and the thickness of a garage door should be 4 inches. This size of the header is only valid for garage doors because a garage door is larger than any other door.
8 foot garage door header size
If you are looking for an 8-foot garage door header then you will need 2 2×8 size headers, which means 2 inches wide and 8 inches depth of 2 headers you will require. Header length should be at least 9 inches extra (8 feet + 9″).
9 foot garage door header size
If talking about 9 feet of garage door that means the garage door width is 9 feet. For 9 feet wide garage door you will need 2 2×10 which means 4 inches wide, and 10 inches depth header and length should be 9 feet 9 inches. Which is made up of timber or laminated veneer lumber. The garage door is wider than the normal door. So the width and depth of the garage header should not be less than the standard size.
10 foot garage door header size
According to the thumb rule and general guidelines, for 10 feet wide garage door, you will need 2 2×10 which means 4 inches wide, 10 inches depth, and 10 feet 9 inches long header. Which is made up of timber or laminated veneer lumber.
12 foot garage door header size
According to the thumb rule and general guidelines, for 12 12-foot wide garage door, you will need 2 2×12 size headers and a minimum 9-inch extra-long header like 12 feet 9 inches. But for 12 feet garage door I will suggest you should use 12 inches extra long header like 13 feet. Header depth should be at least 12 inches, and header width should be 4 inches for 12 feet garage door.
14 foot garage door header size
According to the thumb rule and general guidelines, for a 14-foot wide garage door, you will need 2 2×12 that are make up of timber or LVL. A header length should be a minimum 12-inch extra-long for 14-foot garage door.
16 foot garage door header size
According to the thumb rule and general guidelines, for 16 16-foot wide garage door, you will need a minimum 18-inch extra-long header like 17.6 feet. Header depth should be at least 12 inches, and header width should be at least 5.25 inches for 16 feet garage door. You should use 3 2×16 size header for 16 foot garage door.
18 foot garage door header size
According to the thumb rule and general guidelines, for an 18-foot wide garage door, you will need a minimum 24-inch extra-long header like 20 feet. Header depth should be at least 12 inches, and header width should be 5.25 inches for an 18-foot garage door. You should use 3 2×18 size headers for an 18-foot garage door.
20 foot garage door header size
According to the thumb rule and general guidelines, for 20 20-foot wide garage door, you will need a minimum 24-inch extra-long header like 22 feet. But I will suggest you should use 3 feet extra long header like 23 feet. Header depth should be at least 14 inches, and header width should be at least 5.25 inches for 20 20-foot garage doors. You should use a 3 2×20 size header for a 20-foot garage door.
Garage door header size chart
| Garage Door Size | Garage Door Header size |
|---|---|
| 8 Foot | 2 2×8 |
| 9 Foot | 2 2×10 |
| 10 Foot | 2 2×10 |
| 12 Foot | 2 2×12 |
| 14 Foot | 2 2×12 |
| 16 Foot | 3 2×12 |
| 18 Foot | 3 2×16 |
| 20 Foot | 3 2×20 |
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed what size header do I need for an 8-foot garage door header, 9-foot garage door header, 10-foot garage door header, 12-foot garage door header, 14-foot garage door header, 18-foot garage door header, and 20-foot garage door.
Your text had 2-2×12 for a 16’-0” door and your chart had 2-2×14.
Which one is it?
I did mistake in my chart, correct header size for 16′ door is 2-2×12.
Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
Same mistake for the 12′ door. Is it 2×12 or 2×10?
Also could you clarify ” Header depth should be at least 12 inches, and header width should be 4 inches for 12 feet garage door.” depth and width? Doubled boards with a 1/2 spacer would be 3 1/2′ so I am not sure where to apply this.
Thank you,
patrick
Thank You, Patrick
I had made a mistake. But now I have corrected my mistake.
You should use 2 2×12 size header with space for 12′ garage door. ”header width should be 4 inches for 12 feet garage door.” I have to mean that 2 2×12 header width will be 4 inches by this sentence. I hope that I have cleared your all doubts. If you have any confusion then we can discuss.
Again thank you, Patrick.
Thank you,
I get it now, So you say (2) 2×12 is the 4″ width which is actual 3 1/2″ with a spacer.
Patrick
Yes, of course