[joecaption]

It's called a header.
Most likly your going to have to open up the wall anyway to be able to redo the header.
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q...E2599352F08D24C2FC1A38E43FBD&selectedIndex=25

 

[jsand]

Yes. We'll probably tear most of the wall out in the process. But if I want these doors, I need to buy them now but I don't plan to do the job for quite a while (I have a lot of reading to do before I can do this job!) so am hoping for a non-destructive way to determine where support beams (headers?) need to be before buying mis-sized doors.

Thanks! Julie

 

[jsand]

Looks like it's the top plate I'm trying to determine the height to the bottom of since that would determine the maximum height of the doors. (or is a minimum header required below the top plate?)
Julie

 

[s4s4u]

Is this a load bearing wall?

 

[jsand]

Yes, it is weight bearing, and I just read that that's why I need a header and that I can determine the width from the length needed.

 

[sublime2]

Yes, it is weight bearing, and I just read that that's why I need a header and that I can determine the width from the length needed.

You are currently 11.5" from the ceiling with the window you have. Are you looking to make that size smaller?
If so,its unlikely you can. Odds are you already have a header above the window,removing the window for a door which will be wider will require the header to be as wide as the door opening or wider to carry the weight of the opening. A header is usually made out of two 2x10 boards with half inch ply between then.

 

[rossfingal]

How wide are the existing windows? -
How wide is the door you want to put in?
Are the existing windows, one unit? - or is there a space between them -
several inches?
A picture would help.

rossfingal

 

[Windows on Wash]

+1

You might be very near the biggest size you can run. Might need a LVL or flitch beam if you want to make it taller.

Pictures will help.

 

[hand drive]

you can reduce header width down by adding a structural header instead of a standard header. could gain a couple of inches at least, not a whole bunch of space. maybe 82 or 83" off of finished floor is all you need to clear the door and with 8' ceilings your opening is really close now...

 

[Gary in WA]

Proscriptive built-up header spans, per code, use your local snow load: http://publicecodes.cyberregs.com/icod/irc/2009/icod_irc_2009_5_sec002_par021.htm

Gary