removing exterior wall studs

rkling · 12-19-2010, 06:34 PM

can i remove a portion of an exterior wall stud, if i support it with a header. my plan is to remove about a foot of the stud near the floor, and re-support with 2x12 or 2x10 spanning the studs left and right of the one that is removed?

Hohn · 12-19-2010, 06:56 PM

Are you talking about a single stud or cutting out the bottom foot or so of a whole wall?

If just a single stud, a 2x10 header spanning at least two studs on either side of the "victim" shoujld suffice, I'd think.

*disclaimer: not a pro, could be full of it*

rkling · 12-19-2010, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hohn

Are you talking about a single stud or cutting out the bottom foot or so of a whole wall?

If just a single stud, a 2x10 header spanning at least two studs on either side of the "victim" shoujld suffice, I'd think.

*disclaimer: not a pro, could be full of it*

hohn, only removing a portion of single wall stud. thx 4 response!

jklingel · 12-20-2010, 01:10 AM

It all boils down to "what is above?" and "What is the stud spacing now? 16" OC?" Since a 2x10 header (usually double boards) is sometimes used over 3' doors, I am certain that a double 2x10 is gross overkill. I would guess that a double 2x6 would do. That said, if you never check w/ an engineer or experienced builder, use 2x8's.