Header+framing?
Question:I took off the rock between my kitchen and living room.
there are12 2x4s 16"oc. also a 4' door span. this wall supports the ridge of a convetional frame roof. to open this space i need a 16' header there will be a column in the middle at 8'. do i need 2 8 foot headers,or one 16 footer?
Answers:
If you use 2- 2x12x16's and laminate them together with a piece of half inch plywood between them you should be just fine. In your particular application you could also use and LVL beam to do the same thing. Since there is going to be a column in the center I would do it as one continuous header and use a structural column under the header beam instead ob breaking it up into 2 8 foot sections. Also, before removing existing framing make sure to temporarily support roof load so it doesnt wind up as a floor.
You need to check the IRC for span.
I am assuming your existing header height is sufficient to span 8' in which case it does not matter if you span 8 or 16 feet as long as your center support is a double jack.
Probably you have no header and are building it from scratch. Make sure you have the right header. In most places an 8' span carrying a ceiling and roof load calls for a double 2x12 and could call for a triple 2x10. I would consider buying a 17" LVL doubler and spanning the entire 16' span with no support. This will look much more elegant.
God Bless
In order to answer your question, I need to know the width of the house: in other words, the length of the ceiling joists perpendicular to you new beam on either side. You've done very well describing your situation. You will have a choice of materials to build your new header from, and if you wish, you might eliminate the post at 8'. Get back with the width info, and I'll give you an answer.
I recommend talking to a structural engineer. J's right on the ceiling joists. And another thing is there support under the new point loads created by the beam. At the end of the beam there will be new point loads that need adequate support. A structural engineer will make sure the new beam can carry the roof loads and that there is support for the new point loads. It will cost a bit of money, but money will spend for piece of money.
My only other suggestion is don't let him talk you into steel, but use a LVL. It is easier to work with. Steel requires extra skill to place, but with a LVL you can treat it like an over sized piece of lumber. There are a few extra considerations but not like steel.
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