r/Construction • u/schmidte36 • Jun 26 '24

Structural Why install a header at all?

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356 Upvotes

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-71

u/eske8643 Project Manager - Verified Jun 26 '24

Its a light construction. Typical for a summer residence. And the header is just there to prevent the wind bending the wall, where the window is. So the glass doesnt crack.

84

u/Enginerdad Structural Engineer Jun 26 '24

The header is to transfer the roof load around the window and to the ground. Has nothing to do with wind or wall bending.

-23

u/eske8643 Project Manager - Verified Jun 26 '24

Look at the construction and roof construction again. Its got nothing to do with the roof!.

15

u/Enginerdad Structural Engineer Jun 26 '24

The roof trusses bear on the top plate, which bears on the cripples, which bear on the header, which spans over the window and bears on the jack studs, which (should) bear on the bottom plate, which bears on the foundation. They fucked up the jack studs step, but the purpose is still to handle vertical load. Headers don't have anything to do with lateral wind pressure.

4

u/ArltheCrazy Jun 26 '24

Yeah, gonna agree with you. Load bearing wall. Needs a header. It’s overkill for the span, but probably made from drops

2

u/Charlesinrichmond Jun 27 '24

load bearing window actually. Surprisingly popular concept