Framing for New Stair opening Clearance

builderjohn · 02-10-2010, 04:30 PM

Hello,

I'm planing to increase the head clearance height at my stairs going into the basement. Currently its around 5-10" and I'm trying to get 6-8".

I'm plan to cut the rim joist that spans over the stair opening and install a header above it. I also plan to install a header in the interior bearing wall that sits over the stair opening (perpendicular to rim joist an 1st header).

I"m looking for comments and suggestions. I'm concerned my method would reduce the structural intergrity of these walls. I attached some sketches to better depict what I invision.

thanks for your help.

Willie T · 02-10-2010, 07:23 PM

Off hand, I'd say your primary concern would be what is going to carry the weight of those joists you plan to cut off. The headers proposed above won't do too much in that respect. Is that a bearing wall beneath the first joist?

Dairylander · 02-11-2010, 09:59 AM

There really isn't enough info here to to make any judgments.
I'm assuming this is a one story house?
What is that perpendicular wall carrying?
For starters, you're going to need footers in the basement under the studs that will carry the jack studs that hold the header that is going over the stairs.
As I read that last sentence, I realize this is a tough question to answer over the net.

You'll find more structural framing guys at
http://www.contractortalk.com/
but they (and I) will tell you to pay for an engineer.

Scuba_Dave · 02-11-2010, 11:36 AM

Where are you located ?

Do you have a picture instead of a drawing ?