Expert: Dave Johnson - 7/25/2007

Question
I'm adding a 16 x 16 three-season porch to the back of my house.  The new porch roof will be supported by a LVL beam that spans from the porch end wall to the existing house back wall.  Unfortunately, the LVL beam falls directly over an existing 6' wide patio door.  I want to replace the door's existing triple 2 x 8 header with something heftier, like a 5 1/2" x 11 7/8" LVL.  I'm replacing the door itself at the same time.

My question is, once I have the door removed, how do I temporarily brace the plates (and roof area) over the door opening while I remove the existing header and install the new one?  Seems like any bracing I put up will be in the way.  Can I brace under the soffits, or will that risk cracking the rafters at the birdsmouth cut?

I'll be removing the soffits and outside wall sheathing around the door opening, so I'll have full access to all of the framing in that area.  I'm looking for solutions that will avoid or at least minimize damaging the interior wall around the door opening.

Thanks.

Answer
Hi Paul,
I'm sure that holding the rafters from outside will hold, but I would put a temporary header inside (possibly wrapped in a blanket) and help support the ceiling. Not enough to break the drywall, just enough to add a bit of insurance.
Hope this helps, Dave