Step By Step Process Of Framing A Garage Door Header
If you are looking to frame a structural header for a garage door opening, then you can handle it on the place of work and will offer the same structural support like the more expensive solid wood beams. The process for constructing a header when it comes to 6-inch exterior wall framing can be modified for any wall thickness. Local as well as national building codes have clearly defined or identified structural requirements pertaining to beam sizes to span particular wall openings relative to the wall loads, therefore, it is important to consult your local building department before starting this project.
Things You Will Need
- Tape Measure & Hammer
- Framing Square & 2 Sawhorses
- Circular saw Or Table saw
- 1½-Inch-By-11½-Inch Boards
- ½-Inch By-4-Foot-By-8-Foot Construction-Grade Plywood
- Wood Glue & Small Foam Paint Roller
- 6d Box Nails & 16d Sinker Or Box Nails
Step By Step Process
- Cut 3 Pieces Of Lumber: First of all, trim 3 pieces of 1½-inch-by-11½-inch wood or timber as per the width measurement of the garage door rough opening plus 12 inches. Tear or cut 11-inch-wide strips of ½-inch plywood, with the help of a circular saw.
- Lay A Single Piece Of Wood Across 2 Sawhorses: Now, place a single piece of the 1½-inch-by-11½-inch wood or timber that you have cut in Step 1 through 2 sawhorses or on a flat surface.
- Solid Layer Of Wood Glue: Next, paint a solid layer of wood glue across the face of the 1½-inch-by-11½-inch board, with the help of a small foam paint roller. Put or spread a strip of the 11-inch-wide strips of ½-inch plywood trimmed in Step 2 on top of the board, flush with the end. Trim sufficient amount of plywood pieces in order to cover full length of the board. Tack plywood in place with the help of 6d box nails.
- Apply A Coating Of Wood Glue: After that, apply a coating of wood glue over the surface of the plywood strips placed or fixed in Step 3. Lay a second piece of the 1½-inch-by-11½-inch boards trimmed in Step 1 over the plywood. Align ends as well as sides with first 1½-inch-by-11½-inch board and nail in place with the help of 16d nails.
- Stand The Assembly On Edge & Nail The Assembly Together: Repeat steps 3 and 4 before standing the assembly on edge as well as nail the assembly together using 16d nails from both sides, staggering and spacing the nails roughly 8 to 10 inches apart as needed. Do this with plywood strips layered betwixt the three 1 1/2-inch-by-11 1/2-inch boards. The assembled header can be fastened in place using clamps or laid flat underneath a weight in order to allow the glue to dry thoroughly. As soon as the glue dries, the header is ready to be trimmed to length and installed in wall framing.
Useful Tip
Protect the floor surface underneath the header assembly when it is installed or fixed on edge in step 5, due to the fact that there may be dripping wood glue. The ½-inch plywood strips can be spaced apart, to a small degree, but make sure to keep them flush at both ends of the header assembly.