Header Required Over Window In Gable End Of Dormer?

edfogel51

Greetings!!

I'm doing a room over garage addition, and wanted a dormer with double window with an arch light over. Plans show no header, (2 double hung egress windows with double 2x4 in middle), but framer insists that it needs a header. I was really looking forward to the extra light that would come in, but will live without it if I have to.

thanks for your help,

ed

jmic

Ed,
Is it a shed dormer or does it have a gable?
Joe

jmic

Ed,
Duh! Just saw the heading. If you have a (2) double hung windows with a half round or eliptical window over them , the windows being in a gable end really does not need a header per say. There is no load over that area>
Joe

edfogel51

Thanks for the quick answer, I thought there was little to no load on gable end, but am not a framer, so thought I should ask.

Would you just lay down one 2x4 above the double hungs (below the eliptical),(so both nailing fins fall on the same stud)... and one on side over the elipt. and a cripple on each side?

thanks again,

ed

jmic

Ed,
Seems like we're on the same page!
Joe

JustaFramer

A 2x4 wtf. I would not use a 2x4 to seperate the windows. Double 2x4 or a 4x4 is what I would or any pro would recommend.

edfogel51

Wm.

was thinking of double 2x4 between the double hungs, or maybe more ( I didn't get the rough for the eliptical yet).

The single was between the double hungs and the eliptical, so the .
nailing flanges would overlap (elipt. over top of the dh's).

If that's correct, thanks for your time

ed

JustaFramer

No single between the dh and eliptical. a single 2x4 has a tendency to twist and/or sag. I would not recommend it.

K2

I'm with mister Moore. I like to see a double 2x4 on edge with 1/2 ply in between if you have the room. It's easier to trim out both outside and inside generally. Actually i would try to work out my trim detail at the same time as these other details.

TimNJ

You don't need the header. In fact you could most likely order this window as one unit all mulled together if the elliptical is the same width as the two DH's ordered as a "twin" instead of two seperate units.

specwood

Does your dormer have a cathedral ceiling? If it does, you had better double check on that header.

A gable end usually does not carry a load, unless you have a cathedral ceiling. Then something has to hold the ridge up.

A lot of folks seem to be making some pretty big assumptions about your dormer here. If it is a cathedral, something has to carry the ridge. You don't want it to be your arched window.

jmic

Ed,
Header not needed. Ridge is fine. Gable sheathing nailed to gable rafters which are nailed to ridge = da dam ridge ain't moving.
Joe

K2

I think I'm with Spec. I was thinking it was a shed roof dormer off the existing ridge but see you are probably talking more like a reverse gable or a gable with the ridge perpindicular to the original ridge. i'd want to know how much weight over that window??? I have gone with welded steel A frames, through bolted, one each side of the wall with an engineers stamp. If it is a very short ridge no header might be ok but if it was mine i would want somebody doing some math.

jmic

Hi ROB,
hOPE i'M NOT MISUNDERSTANDING WHAT YOU'RE SAYING BUT THE FIRST POST DOES SAY IT'S A GABLE END WINDOW. SORRY FOR THE CAPS,THE LOCK BUTTON GOT STUCK.
jOE

K2

Joe. I could have a gable end window at the end of a shed roof dormer that would be in line or fairly close to the original gable end. I grew up in the Cape Cods in N.J. and that was what a dormer was and there was one on every house for 80 miles. But I think that is not what is being discussed here. A picture would be nice but I havn't learned to draw on my confuser yet. RT

jmic

Yeah' thats why they say a picture is worth 1000 words....or something like that, wonder who said that anyways.
Joe

specwood

Here is a link to a pic http://www.vermontcountrybuilders.co.../retreat2a.jpg (not my work, just something I Googled) of what I assumed Ed might be talking about.

This configuration would require a header over the arch to carry the ridge if the area is a cathedral ceiling. This is because there are no ceiling joists to keep the left and right walls from pushing out, so the ridge must be fully supported by the gable wall in the dormer.

JustaFramer

Good call Spec. A structural ridge for a vaulted ceiling will need support to stop any downward thrust.

K2

Yes, and if they want to snug that radius up against the vaulted ceiling I would go with a welded A frame inside and out. But, i've been reading about those Jersey boys and their "flitch plates". I might go with a welded flitch so you would not have to worry about how to nail the siding, drywall,etc. Engineers stamp either way for me.