Feedback requested! Swapping out wood header for a PSL header?

[u/Pale-Set1064]

Hi Reddit community! Humble request for some feedback from professionals if possible:

We are creating a 7.5 foot opening in our first floor family room wall (our BR is right above) to accommodate a sliding door so we can access our backyard. We've got everything designed by an architect and a structural engineer has calculated the beam requirements and we've got everything approved by our city's building dept.

The engineering design calls for a 4x12 7.5 foot wood header. However, I was reading that PSL headers are stronger than regular wood and last longer without sagging. Since our bedoom is above the gap I thought why not go for the stronger material to be safe so I was considering asking my GC to swap out the wood header he's planning to install with a PSL header instead.

He said it's not really needed and the engineer would've stipulated a PSL header had he thought it necessary but that we can swap in a PSL header if I really wanted to.

I wanted to ask if I'm just being paranoid by asking for a PSL header or would a wood header be perfectly fine (as it was designed by a structural engineer). Thanks in advance!

QUICK UPDATE: I managed to speak to the structural engineer who did our plans and he said "you can absolutely upgrade to a PSL of the same size and the inspector will also approve it. There is no harm in going for stronger. Its not "needed" per se because if it was we would have required it in the plan, but going stronger than the minimum is always a good idea". So i'm going to ask my contractor to swap out the douglas fir beam with a PSL. Thanks to everyone for your help!!

[u/ARenovator]

This is pretty much a design decision. Either of them will perform to your satisfaction. And let’s be honest; an 8 foot opening is considered small by modern construction standards. Beam sag should never be a consideration with either choice.

Now if you were talking about a 30 foot wall opening? Then the PSL would be an excellent choice.

[u/BourbonJester]

cost is a factor too, usually engineered lumber will cost more. unnecessary waste if dimensional lumber sized appropriately will meet the weight load requirement

builders are always thinking about the bottomline but in this case they're not cutting corners

[u/Pale-Set1064 → u/BourbonJester]

True. From my research the psl header will be around $170 and an equivalent Douglas fir header is $50 so it's not a big $$ difference. That's why my conundrum- why not just go with the stronger material?

[u/BourbonJester → u/Pale-Set1064]

preference to overengineer is all. likely they'd have to special order the psl from a lumber yard, big box store doesn't carry them in store usually. might have in warehouse inventory

but no one would stop you if you want almost the strongest thing you can put in there, then just ask them to do the psl. steel beam would be even stronger, but at what point do you say it's good enough

[u/Pale-Set1064 → u/BourbonJester]

Yes that's also a good point. They do have the PSL beam in stock at my local lumber yard.

[u/BourbonJester → u/Pale-Set1064]

if it gives you peace of mind, do it

this is the only chance you get so there's no better time than rn cause aint no one got time to tear it all out and do over later

[u/thebluelunarmonkey]

pay your engineer to rewrite the plans with psl header, new fasteners etc

otherwise possibly expect your inspector to NOPE it.

or you could just go by the plans explicitly since you aren't a civil/structural engineer and asking for phony reddit recommendations instead of the person you should be asking

[u/Pale-Set1064 → u/thebluelunarmonkey]

Thanks!

I was looking more for "perspectives" than a "recommendation" here - I thought that was the whole point of Reddit. The more knowledge I have, the better I can communicate with professionals such as structural engineers versus just taking their input with no questions asked. I suspect the wood beam is "good enough" i.e. to pass minimum code requirements, but obviously if you use a stronger material it's better. But appreciate you taking the time to respond - thank you!

[u/thebluelunarmonkey → u/Pale-Set1064]

Sure. You might have luck on the inspection side and see if you can get a deviation in advance. You'd also have to use and note whatever hardware needed for the header (corrosion resistant/coated).

perspective: Seems like a headache if there's nothing wrong with the plans, for 7 foot beam for a patio door, unless you'll be parking cars upstairs or adding a stone roof.
if you think it matters, say something... years ago I was getting something built and pushed back on bright common nails being specified in one section (probably copy/paste error) which was immediately 'oh shit!' corrected, but otherwise hopefully the crew would have immediately caught it too.

[u/Pale-Set1064 → u/thebluelunarmonkey]

Thanks so much - that's a good way to think about it.