my bungalow has a room added to the outside brick gable wall at the back of the house. the gable wall in question is about nine feet running north and south then zigs out about another nine feet east and west before continuing north and south the rest of the width of the house. it’s a three course brick wall and i’d like to knock it down and extend my kitchen to the very back of the room that’s been added on. my question is how load bearing is a gable wall? can i header it with 2x12s? do i need to build out my header to rest over the entire three-course wall? and if i hire a structural engineer will he be able to answer my questions? I know i need to leave a four inch shelf for the header to rest on but i’ve never built a header that wide. thanks
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Replies
Your scenario sounds too complicated to give out answers without, at the very least, some pictures and drawings. Even then you're apt to need professional help (but doesn't everyone here).
Yep
wannaknow wrote:
and if i hire a structural engineer will he be able to answer my questions?
He should. If he can't, then hire another one that can.
I would first talk to an architect or someone who has that sort of design experience. An engineer is trained to tell you all about what's on your plate. They usually aren't very good at putting things on the plate.
(There's an inadvertent pun in the above. Sorry.)