Expert: Bruce E. Johnson - 10/19/2009

Question
Couple questions -
Window header on the main floor of a 2story.  It's on a load bearing wall and we have 2x10 floor joists above.  I want to move the window up to make room for a kitchen counter underneath it.  I have access to the joists above.  Can I just add joist hangers under the joists and above the top plate of the wall?  The window is approx 50" wide +3" for the header obviously...

2. Load bearing wall running through the middle of the house on the main floor of a 2 story.  Joists overlap the load bearing wall by approx 12" each side of the wall.  Currently we have a 6 foot opening and we want to open it to a 13' opening using 2 14" x 14' lvl's.  I have done a couple swaps with load bearing walls before, but any comments on this upgrade?

Thanks!

Jason

Answer
Hi Jason, Yes you can move your window header up and hang those joists on hangers.  Good call.  Same with the 14" LVLs..I imagine they are 1 3/4" thick which fits nicely on a 2x4 wall..Make sure you have enough cripple studs under the LVL on each end ,at least three, preferably 4.  If you have stacked framing and the level below is reinforced for the "bearing points" of the 6' opening you might want to reinforce the lower wall at each end of the 13' opening, add a couple of studs directly in line with the bearing cripples above.  Obviously you will need to support your joists during this maneuver.  I assume you have that covered..It sounds like this isnt your first pony ride.  I like to keep my temorary shoring simple.  A simple 2x4 wall with a stud under each joist works well or a top plate with 2x4's jammed underneath each joist.   Just make sure the temp supports are secure prior to removing your existing supports.  In this case you need to support the existing joists on both sides of the existing wall.  Give yourself two feet from each side for an overall 4' working area.  And I can't stress this enough "always have all of your materials on hand, cut to length and nailed together wherever possible" so that once you remove the existing support you can immediately install your new supports. The sawzall is an invaluable tool for this kind of work, it enables you to cut all the nails of the old stuff to facilitate the transition. You can also do a little proactive work on the support system  in the floor below prior to the main header swap.  I hope this information helps, please feel free to write again regarding this or other matters, sincerely bruce e johnson..bejohnsonconsulting.com