3’x5′ Basement Window – Jack Stud Question
JellyBeanFTW
| Posted in Construction Techniques on
I am building a house for my wife and I. According to code, it appears that my particular basement window size will need two jack studs per side (supporting 2-2×8 headers). Since I am not a framer, I’ve got what is likely a silly question. The way I have contructed this window, would this be considered two jack studs per side?
To me, it seems like it. All of the header load would/should be directed to the jack stud and the jack/cripple stud(s).
Your thoughts?
Replies
It looks fine to me. I'm surprised you need two jacks on each side for a 3' opening.
Thanks for the response!
My build will be a bit over kill. Looking at R602.7, I could go as much as 4' openings with 2-2x8 headers. But it'd apparently still require 2 jack studs per side. This will be on a 32' 8" wide house. The chart I'm looking at has openings for a 36' wide house with 30lb snow load.
But yeah, two jack studs per side and 2-2x8 headers for a 3' wide opening will be a bit over-kill. I guess my real question would be - does my frame up of a window technically have two jack studs per side?
Thankfully we don't require any inspections where I live. But I still like to be 100% sure since my family's life depends on my limited construction experience.
I think your approach is spot on. A couple of extra 2x4 is nothing compared to feeling really good about your work. Amen to focusing on your family's safety.
When I was in engineering school, they taught us a rhyme that would cover 90% of the situations we would face in our careers: "When in doubt, make it stout, out of things we know about."
Best of luck to you.
Nothing wrong with the framing.
If this is a lower level, the band joist above that window can also act as the header.
You mentioned 2x12 floor joists in your other posts. A single 2x12 band joist is all you need for the header, but it will require 3 studs at each end for bearing.
Doubling up the band joist over the window requires 2 studs per end for support.
Less wood, more insulation.
https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2016/07/26/headerless-wall-openings
I don't know why I never though about the band joist (I call it a rim joist?) acting as a header. I feel much more comfortable about my window opening now. ? Thanks for the reply!