What size header for 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and 12 foot span

The header is very important for doors, garage doors, and windows. So in this article, we will discuss What size header for 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and 12-foot span. The garage door header should be heavier than the normal header. So If you want to know what size header you need for 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20-foot garage doors you can read our previous article.

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 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and 12-foot span?

Calculating what size header you need for 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and 12-foot span is not so easy. Because header size depends upon many factors like the load on the header, load bearing, span of the header, etc. But according to the general rule, you will require 2×4 to 2×12 size header for 3 to 12 feet long span.

What size header do I need for 3-foot span?

Actually, such type of small header used is in Windows. The standard size of the header for 3-foot span is 4×4 or double 2×4. Here 2 represents the width of the header and 4 represents the depth of the header and it will be in inches. But in this size, it is only width and depth. The span of any header should be greater than the actual span. So the length of the header should be at least 8 inches extra long than the span.

What size header do I need for 4-foot span?

It is also a small span and according to the general rule of calculating header size, you will require 2 2×6, or 1 4×6 size header. This header length should be at least 8 inches more than the actual header length.

What size header do I need for 5-foot span?

According to the general rules and guidelines for 5-foot span, you will require a 4×8 or double 2×8 size header. Header length requires at least 12 inches more than the actual length of the header for a 5-foot span.

What size header do I need for 6-foot span?

According to the general rules and guidelines for 6-foot span, you will require 2 2×8 size header. Header length requires at least 12 inches more than the actual length of the header for a 6-foot span.

What size header do I need for 7-foot span?

According to the general rules and guidelines for 7-foot span, you will require 2 2×10 size header. Header length requires at least 12 inches more than the actual length of the header for a 7-foot span.

What size header do I need for 8-foot span?

According to the general rules and guidelines for an 8-foot span, you will require 2 2×10 size header. Header length requires at least 12 inches more than the actual length of the header for an 8-foot span.

What size header do I need for 10-foot span?

According to the general rules and guidelines for a 10-foot span, you will require 2 2×12 size header. Header length requires at least 12 inches more than the actual length of the header for a 10-foot span.

What size header do I need for 12-foot span?

According to the general rules and guidelines for a 12-foot span, you will require 2 2×12 size header. Header length requires at least 12 inches more than the actual length of the header for a 12-foot span.

Header span chart