Expert: Dave Johnson - 7/17/2008

Question
I am building a garage 24'x36'. I used "chicken house trusses" every 12 feet sitting on top of 6x6 pressue treated posts.  The roof is completed and shingled and the 2 long walls are studded and OSB'd. My question is I want to put a 14x9 garage door on one end and a 8x7 on the other end.  Can I build an strong enough header to span the 14 opening. What would I use and what about the studs to support the header?  The walls are 2x6 studded.  I didn't know if I should look at a manufactured beam or if it could be built with lumber.
Thanks!

Answer
Hi Ricky,
There is very little down pressure on a gable end. You can build almost anything as it is only going to support itself. Just use 2  2x6's at each end for support of the header.
The small one could be made with a couple of 2x8's with some 2 1/2 blocks between.
The larger one could be made with (3) 2x12's with plywood fillers.
Best of luck,
Dave