Garage Door Header Framing

Building a structural header for a garage door opening can be handled on the jobsite and will offer the same structural support as more expensive solid wood beams.

Garage door header framing.

Ideally 2 x6 is the most used header size. All doors are set into a frame an opening inside the wall. The procedure for constructing a header for 6 inch exterior wall framing can be modified for any wall thickness. Local and national building codes have specific structural requirements pertaining to beam sizes to span specific wall openings relative to the wall loads so consult your local building department before beginning this.

Use 2 inch lumber for the jambs as well and ensure they are appropriately nailed to the door opening with the help of a nail gun or hammer. Normally deflection isn t too noticeable but with a garage door header you have the reference of the door. If you go with a raised panel door it is even more noticeable if there s any sag. Header requirement 2 at minimum the header should be 12 wide with doubled 2 4 at opening and ceiling running the width of the door with a 2 4 in the center of the opening for the center bracket to attach to.

Frame the rough opening to 3 inches wider than the garage door size you have selected. Frame the rough opening to a height that is 1 5 taller than the door that you have selected. Header the header is ideally a minimum 12 wide micro laminated beam that spans the width of the garage door opening. Interior and exterior doors are framed basically the same way but interior doors are.

If you are installing a 9 wide door the opening will be 9 3 wide. Framing nails are highly recommended. The width of the lumber should be between 6 and 8. A portal frame is defined as two uprights connected at the top by a third horizontal member the header.

If the door is 7 tall frame the opening 7 1 5.