Framing Opening Length

captainron19 · 03-12-2006, 06:25 PM

I am in the process of building a non load bearing wall to section off a play room in my basement. Using 2 X 4's with studs 16" on center.

I am planning on having an opening in the wall to serve as a storage shelf. The hdesired height of this opening will be approximately 2 feet. My questions is... how long can this span be in the opening of the wall if I create a header of (2) 2 X 4's secured to eachother side by side?

I utilized the same sort of construction for the header above a door in the room but that span was only about 38" or so. Ideally I would like to have this shelf opening to be approximately 4-6 feet in length but I was unsure on how far I can go with using the (2) 2 X 4's to construct a header over the opening.

Thanks in advance.

Bonus · 03-12-2006, 08:47 PM

It's a non-supporting wall, make the opening as long as you like. Just make sure you continue your 16" o/c above and below.

Akeith · 03-19-2006, 05:48 PM

I believe that you have to go with a structural header and double jack studs if the opening is going to be more then 4 ft. For an opening of 6 ft I would use 2 - 2x6 or 8 's with 1/2 ply in the middle, standing on end.
Im not 100% on this but I believe that is code here in Md .

mighty anvil · 04-01-2006, 11:50 AM

I assume the code in MD is the IRC. That code only has one paragraph on non-load bearing interior walls and it doesn't say much. You can open the wall up as much as you want as long as the framing will support the drywall and the shelf without sagging. It's not really a building code issue. Be careful not to cut any electrical wiring.

03-12-2006, 06:25 PM	#1
captainron19 Newbie Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 16	Framing Opening Length I am in the process of building a non load bearing wall to section off a play room in my basement. Using 2 X 4's with studs 16" on center. I am planning on having an opening in the wall to serve as a storage shelf. The hdesired height of this opening will be approximately 2 feet. My questions is... how long can this span be in the opening of the wall if I create a header of (2) 2 X 4's secured to eachother side by side? I utilized the same sort of construction for the header above a door in the room but that span was only about 38" or so. Ideally I would like to have this shelf opening to be approximately 4-6 feet in length but I was unsure on how far I can go with using the (2) 2 X 4's to construct a header over the opening. Thanks in advance.

03-12-2006, 08:47 PM	#2
Bonus renovations Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 430	Framing Opening Length It's a non-supporting wall, make the opening as long as you like. Just make sure you continue your 16" o/c above and below.

03-19-2006, 05:48 PM	#3
Akeith Newbie Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 4	Framing Opening Length I believe that you have to go with a structural header and double jack studs if the opening is going to be more then 4 ft. For an opening of 6 ft I would use 2 - 2x6 or 8 's with 1/2 ply in the middle, standing on end. Im not 100% on this but I believe that is code here in Md .

04-01-2006, 11:50 AM	#4
mighty anvil Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Boston Posts: 129	Framing Opening Length I assume the code in MD is the IRC. That code only has one paragraph on non-load bearing interior walls and it doesn't say much. You can open the wall up as much as you want as long as the framing will support the drywall and the shelf without sagging. It's not really a building code issue. Be careful not to cut any electrical wiring.

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Framing Opening Length