Garage Door Header Framing

All doors are set into a frame an opening inside the wall.

Garage door header framing.

Ideally 2 x6 is the most used header size. Framing for a non load bearing door header. Code requires a double top plate for load bearing walls. The first thing to know when framing and building walls is that you will need a bottom plate and two top plates to attach the wall studs to.

Normally deflection isn t too noticeable but with a garage door header you have the reference of the door. 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. 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. If you go with a raised panel door it is even more noticeable if there s any sag.

Header the header is ideally a minimum 12 wide micro laminated beam that spans the width of the garage door opening. 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. Frame the rough opening to a height that is 1 5 taller than the door that you have selected. If you are installing a 9 wide door the opening will be 9 3 wide.

The double top plate is needed to comply with building code. Interior and exterior doors are framed basically the same way but interior doors are. The width of the lumber should be between 6 and 8. If the door is 7 tall frame the opening 7 1 5.

Framing nails are highly recommended. The procedure for constructing a header for 6 inch exterior wall framing can be modified for any wall thickness.