designerdale
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- Jun 12, 2012
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I live in southern New Jersey, near Philadelphia. I plan to open up an exterior bearing wall to a new addition. The bearing wall supports the only the roof rafters, and not the ceiling joists (which run parallel to the wall to be removed). The existing roof rafters (and ceiling joists in the existing room) are 2x6's. The rafters are 24" OC and on a 5.5/12 pitch. Based on a 50lb/sf total load (figuring for some of our weird winter snowstorms), can a double 2x6 adequately span the new 10'-4" clear opening that we want in the bearing wall, or should we simply plan on using a triple 2x6 as the header for the opening? I want to use 2x6 members, and not increase to 2x8s or 2x10s, if at all possible, to make it easier to extend the attic floor level above. The supporting studs on each end of the header can be as many as needed, based on the header's required thickness, as the addition will create an L with the existing house exterior. The 2x6s to be used would likely be select hem fir. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated! THANKS!!