How to Attach Shed Dormer Header
SLCraftsman
| Posted in General Questions on
I’m rebuilding a shed dormer and I’m trying to figure out a few details. The existing header, at the top of the dormer wasn’t attached properly to the rafters and it didn’t span the entire width of the dormer…
When attaching the new header, what is the proper connector to use or should it just be nailed in and/or screwed in from the sides of the rafters?
Also, the diagrams that I see for a shed dormer show the header show the rafters having a flush cut so that the header is vertically plumb. The old “header” just followed the slope of the roof. Does it matter which angle the header is installed at?
Thanks in advance!
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Replies
For code-compliant construction, the rafters on either side of the dormer need to be sized to carry the load of the dormer and the size of the header. The header is usually installed plumb and hung on joist or beam hangers. It's possible to install the header perpendicular to the roof plane but the capacity is reduced. In any case, it sounds like you should talk with a licensed engineer or other design professional to make sure it's done in a safe, code-compliant manner.