If you’re planning on building a structure with a 16 foot span, you’ll need to use a header that’s at least 8 inches wide. This is because headers are designed to support half of the weight of the structure they’re holding up. So, if you’re planning on building something that’s 16 feet wide, you’ll need to use two 8 inch headers placed side-by-side.
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Introduction
A header is a horizontal beam used in construction to support the weight of the material above it. Headers are frequently used in door and window openings to provide support for the lintels (the beams that span the openings) and to distribute the weight of the load more evenly. They are also used above windows and doors in load-bearing walls to provide support for the upper story.
So, what size header do you need for a 16 foot span? The answer depends on a few factors, including:
-The type of header you are using (wood, steel, etc.)
-The type of load bearing wall it is supporting
-The clearance you have above the header (this will determine how much weight the header can support)
In general, you will need a 2×8 or 2×10 header for a 16 foot span on a non load bearing wall. If the wall is load bearing, you will need to use a larger header, such as a 2×12 or 4×4. The size of header you use will also be determined by the type of lumber you are using. For example, if you are using Douglas fir lumber, you will need a 2×8 header for a 16 foot span on a non load bearing wall. If you are using southern yellow pine lumber, you will need a 2×10 header for the same span.
What is the Span?
The span of a header is the distance it spans from one support to another. A 16 foot header would span from one support to another at a distance of 16 feet. This is generally the span you will see on most residential homes. Anything beyond 16 feet is considered a commercial span and requires different calculations and materials.
What is the Load?
There are three types of loads that need to be considered when selecting a header for a 16 foot span. Dead loads are the self-weight of the header and the weight of the material above the header. Live loads are additional loads from occupancy, wind, snow and other environmental factors. The third load is called an impact load and is usually only a concern for commercial applications. Hallways in schools and hospitals are examples where impact loads must be considered.
When dealing with dead loads, headers must be able to support at least twice their own weight in addition to the weight of the material above them. For live loads, headers must be designed to support at least half of their own weight plus any additional dead load plus a minimum live load as required by building code. Impact loads must also be considered when designing headers for commercial applications.
In most cases, the load on a header is not evenly distributed across its span. This is due to the fact that most headers are not supported equally at both ends. One end is usually supported by a wall or bearing while the other end is supported by a frame or beam. The distribution of load across a span can be determined by a structural engineer or by using one of several software programs available specifically for this purpose.
Once the maximum load has been determined, you can select a header size from one of several span tables available from lumber manufacturers or from online sources such as Scribd or The Home Depot website.
What is the Deflection?
Deflection is how much a beam sags in the middle when loads are applied to it. For example, if a 2×8 beam has a span of 16 feet and supports a dead load (weight of the structure itself) and a live load (weight of people and furniture) of 30 pounds per square foot, you would multiply 30 by 16 to get 480 pounds. That would be the maximum weight the beam could support without sagging.
What is the Slope?
There are a couple of different factors that will affect the size of header you need for a 16 foot span. The first is the slope of your roof. A steeper slope will require a bigger header because there will be more weight pushing down on it.
The other factor is the type of material you’re using for your header. If you’re using a heavier material, like steel, you’ll need a bigger header than if you’re using a lighter material, like wood.
The bottom line is that you’ll need to consult with an engineer or architect to determine the size header you need for your specific situation.
What is the Bearing?
The bearing is the load that the header must carry. This is usually the weight of the wall above the header, but it may also include dead loads such as insulation and ceilings. The live load is the weight of people and furniture on the floor above the header. In most cases, you will only need to worry about the dead load, but if you are designing a header for a second- or third-story floor, you will need to take the live load into account as well. You can find the dead load of your structure by consulting your local building code.
What is the Soil?
There are many factors to consider when choosing the right size header for a 16 foot span. The soil type is one of the most important considerations. Depending on the type of soil, the header size will need to be adjusted.
What is the Grade?
There are three common grades used for headers. The grade is determined by the span of the header and its ability to support a certain amount of weight.
– Grade 40: The most common type of header, grade 40 is used for spans up to 16 feet.
– Grade 60: Used for larger spans, grade 60 headers can support up to 20 feet.
– Grade 80: The strongest type of header, grade 80 can support spans up to 24 feet.
What is the Frost?
The frost line—also called the frost depth or freezing depth—is the depth to which the ground freezes in winter. The frost line varies from region to region, so when building a foundation, you must first determine the depth of the frost line in your area. In general, the frost line is about 3 feet deep, but it can range from 2 to 6 feet deep.
For example, if you live in an area with a frost line of 3 feet, you would need a header that is at least 3 feet long to span a 16 foot opening. If you live in an area with a frost line of 6 feet, you would need a header that is at least 6 feet long to span a 16 foot opening.
What is the Wind?
Wind is the result of air pressure differences between two areas. When the pressure is higher in one area than another, the air will flow from the area of high pressure to the area of low pressure. The wind will always try to balance these differences out.
Conclusion
After much discussion and deliberation, it was concluded that a 16 foot header is needed for a 16 foot span.
