Convert Single Interior Door to Pre-hung double doors
#1
09-20-23, 07:18 AM
Convert Single Interior Door to Pre-hung double doors
Have single door in FR Wall. Want to replace with double-hung french doors. Wall is not load bearing. Widening the opening will not be a problem, I have plenty of room that allows me to create the proper jam on the right side. It's my hope that the exist left jamb, used to support the current single door will work.
My question is, do I need replace the entire header making it one continuous piece, or can I simply frame in and extend it to accommodate the new double doors? Will any additional support on the top be required?
My question is, do I need replace the entire header making it one continuous piece, or can I simply frame in and extend it to accommodate the new double doors? Will any additional support on the top be required?
#2
09-20-23, 07:26 AM
Group Moderator
Headers need to be continuous. However in a non load bearing wall, R602.2.2 states:
A single flat 2-inch by 4-inch (51 mm by 102 mm) member may be used as a header in interior or exterior nonbearing walls for openings up to 8 feet (2438 mm) in width if the vertical distance to the parallel nailing surface above is not more than 24 inches (610 mm).
So if you have a 2x4 under the header, (and this really is a non load bearing wall) that is what must be continuous. If you don't have a 2x4 under the header, remove the header so that the framing above the double doors can be continuous.
A single flat 2-inch by 4-inch (51 mm by 102 mm) member may be used as a header in interior or exterior nonbearing walls for openings up to 8 feet (2438 mm) in width if the vertical distance to the parallel nailing surface above is not more than 24 inches (610 mm).
So if you have a 2x4 under the header, (and this really is a non load bearing wall) that is what must be continuous. If you don't have a 2x4 under the header, remove the header so that the framing above the double doors can be continuous.
