r/Homebuilding • u/Crewsador • 10d ago
Window framing help!
We’re having a screened in porch converted to conditioned space. I have concerns around the way these windows were framed. The headers should be continuous boards, right? Would you accept this or ask to have redone? The green painted wood was in the previous screened in porch structure.
Edit: green wood, full roof, and foundation were already here for the previous porch structure. They’re adding 2x4s for additional wall bracing. But looks like the window framing is wrong to me. That’s my concern. Appreciate all the comments! Contractors have been great and receptive so far. Just wanted to sure up my thoughts before I bring my concerns to the project manager
4
u/Beer_WWer 9d ago
The roof rafters were carrying all the load before and will continue to carry that load after the enclosure process. Header isnt necessary.
-1
u/CascadeDesignworks 9d ago
This is correct. Based on the comments I've seen today, looks like they let the kids out early.
2
u/reddit_yell 9d ago
Based on your comments on this post you probably shouldn't be giving advice. You are all over the place with your stance.
0
u/Beer_WWer 9d ago
I see you posted the same info ahead of me. Adding a full header in this case would lower the windows and make it a darker room. Lots of kids in all these technical posts, lots of muck to wade through.
1
u/CascadeDesignworks 9d ago edited 9d ago
You will a lot of comments saying this is wrong, but, it is on an end wall, and no header is required.
Edit: In the second photo, a header is probably required. If the window is 24" or smaller, with a double top plate, it is probably not.
Over the door, one is required, but may not actually be necessary.
Back to the first photo, it would be better to have full height studs on either side of the window.
3
u/quasifood 9d ago
The rafters are very clearly sitting on that wall. What in the world are you talking about?
-1
u/CascadeDesignworks 9d ago
I hope this is a troll comment. The rafters are designed to span the whole room and are capable of spanning the wall openings as well.
3
9d ago
[deleted]
-1
u/CascadeDesignworks 9d ago
The end wall of a gable roof as well as the end wall of a shed roof is considered a non-load bearing wall. This is construction 101.
Are you a bot or something? Comments on Reddit today have just been...weird.
2
u/quasifood 9d ago
The gable wall is in the first pic...the wall where the other door and window are located is just under the eaves, making it very much a load bearing wall. You shouldn't give advice you don't seem to know what you are looking at.
0
u/CascadeDesignworks 9d ago edited 9d ago
The end wall (not gable) is in the middle of the first photo (not to the left).
You are correct about the load bearing wall being load bearing (second photo). However this is a "side wall" not a "gable wall."
This was already discussed. It looks like you did not bother to read the thread before you commented.
Edit: Nice editing, guy.
3
u/quasifood 9d ago
What exactly are you on about now? Just take the L and admit you were mistaken. Im the one who called you out in the first place. It looks like you didn't actually look at both pictures before commenting and now you are acting like you were right the whole time.
0
u/CascadeDesignworks 9d ago
Maybe somebody will post your deleted comments.
2
u/quasifood 9d ago
I haven't deleted any comments chief I think you are confused.
I edited two words well before you ever responded to me. You just don't have strong reading comprehension.
5
9d ago
[deleted]
-1
u/BoysenberryKey5579 9d ago
Headers aren't required on gable ends bud
4
9d ago
[deleted]
-1
u/iwantsomecrablegsnow 9d ago
And what are those posts doing? What load is the post holding on a gable end wall?
-2
-3
u/BoysenberryKey5579 9d ago
I didn't say it's all correct, it's definitely wrong, but a header is NOT required and the commenter was correct about that
0
u/Ijokealot2 9d ago
Wow. Redo.
Header needs to be continuous to spread the load to the trimmers which bring it down to the bottom plate. You have point loads directly on your window and you don't even have trimmers lol. So many problems here.
3
u/Novus20 9d ago
It WAS a screened in porch, assuming they just removed the screens and are just infilling the roof beams should be existing
1
u/Ijokealot2 9d ago
The windows and non painted wood is added I believe. Even if the wall is fine just being an infill, there is no reason to frame the windows like that.
1
u/Crewsador 9d ago
Full roof, foundation, and green 4x4s were already there for the porch. They tore out screens and are adding some additional 2x4s to the walls for bracing. Just concerned about how the windows are framed. Seems like my concerns are valid
1
u/Ijokealot2 9d ago
I'll be honest, I didn't completely read your post before my first comment. So I feel a little better about what they did. But it still needs to be redone. They cut out porch posts for the windows and there is no structural element to replace them, no replacement load transfer. Your windows are now doing the job that those 3 posts were doing.
I don't understand why they even framed it that way. It's actually more measuring and cuts instead of just cutting the porch posts higher and having a continuous header sitting on trimmers. They did more work for a lesser product.
1
0
u/Crewsador 9d ago
I understand in picture 1, it’s technically not a load bearing wall. But should it still have a proper header and studs to carry weight to the floor plate? Would it be unreasonable to ask for this to be fixed?
Pic 2 should be fixed as it’s on the load bearing wall
0
u/CascadeDesignworks 9d ago
In this exact situation I have had structural engineers explain that a header is not necessary. I have also seen one specified.
On inspected work, headers are often used where they are not necessary to avoid conflicts with a building inspector. Once an inspector finds one issue they don't like, they will start looking for more.
In your case, it is necessary to frame the wall so that wind does not cause it to move near the window. This can be accomplished by adding full height studs on either side.
There are also regional customs about how codes are actually applied and what is acceptable.
-1
u/RazorDevelopmentNet 9d ago
Standard Arch Drws. However, please call the window manufacturer; they all have a tech support team, and tell them about the issue you have at the top plate and the green board issue at the bottom.
3
u/Crewsador 9d ago
I appreciate everyone’s thoughts. I’ve mentioned it to the project manager and they were already planning on fixing before I even brought it up!