Header extension
Michael_Kalman
| Posted in General Questions on
I have 12′ header pieces that I would like to extend from each side by about 1/4″ (1/2″ total) to a total of 12′ 1/2″ . I plan on using an HH6 header hanger, what is the best way to accomplish this without purchasing longer wood and cutting it down?
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Replies
Hi Michael.
What are you installing in this rough opening? I'm reluctant to give any structural advice on this, but wonder if it is possible to work with a bit tighter RO, which may be doable if it is framed particularly plumb, level, and square. I'm sure some other GBA members will have thoughts on this.
Hey Brian, what is an RO? This is a header to go over a tiny home trailer wheel well. I purchased it just a bit too small to leave a gap for the condensation to drip if need be on the fenders, what do you think?
Ahh...my mind immediately went to a header above the rough opening (RO) for a window or door. This is even less in my wheel house (pun intended). I hope someone else jumps in to help you out, Michael. It may be helpful to show a photo or drawing of the situation.
Look carefully at the specs for the HH6. You can derate the load capacity of the hanger, if needed. It may be possible in this case to nail plywood on to the end or ends of the header to provide a snug fit, adding the 1/2". It seems unlikely you will load it to 1,215 lbs per hanger in a tiny house. Ask you engineer on the project what the load values are. You could add a few long SDWS screws thru the trimmer into the header to snug it all together, and add back some load capacity.
If you do this, I would add some steel strapping across the joint at least 3-4” or so to help keep things held together. I’d actually use steel strapping across pretty much all joints in a tiny house to help keep things locked together as you bounce down the road. Think of this as the ultimate seismic structure.
Bill
Thank you all so much! And thank you for the advice about the strong drive screws, what length would work for this purpose? Do you think the steel tie plate when nailed into the side would make the plywood delaminate? Or am I misinterpreting the steel strapping?
I don’t see how the steel plate would cause the plywood to delaminate. The steel is just a connector nailed or screwed onto the wood.
Bill
With the header 1/2" short - that would be 1/4" per side - so looking at the HH6 the nails won't hit the plywood shim. The SDS or SDWS screws should have most of the threads in the main member. So select the screw length on that. I don't know what trimmers you are using.
You likely don't need a second metal tie the HH6 is fine for the header - the plywood sheathing will tie the structure together.
Oh I see, gotcha both. Zephyr and Tim, thank you so much. So just add a shim to each side 1/4" and use 5 1/2" screws, do I use the 5 1/2" SDS screws in the header or only on the header and not the hanger?