Your Opening

Is the wall load-bearing?

Not sure? Bearing walls usually run perpendicular to joists/trusses above, sit over a beam or wall below, or carry the ridge. When in doubt, treat it as bearing — and verify on site.

Opening width: 8 ft

What does this wall carry?

Building width (joist/truss span direction): 28 ft

We assume the header carries half the building width (typical).

Ground snow load

✔ Good news — a non-bearing opening doesn't need a structural header. Frame the opening with flat 2x blocking or a single flat member; you're carrying wall weight only.

Confirm it's truly non-bearing before cutting — joist direction, point loads, stacked walls.
Anything questionable: treat it as bearing and size it, or have us look at it.

Preliminary Header Options

Option A — Construction Lumber (SPF #2)

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Option B — LVL (2.0E)

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Design load on header

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End reaction (each side)

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Jack studs per end

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Deflection limit used

L/360

This span/load combo exceeds the sizes in this tool. That's engineered-beam territory (deeper LVL, steel, or a flush beam) — call us, we frame these regularly.

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Preliminary sizing only. Calculated from published design values (NDS-basis: SPF No.2 and 2.0E LVL), simple uniform loads, L/360 deflection. Real jobs have point loads, girder trusses, and site conditions this tool can't see. Always verify with your local building department and, where required, a design professional before you cut. Mavericks Construction provides construction services — not engineering.

Quick reference

Header Span Table

Max preliminary opening widths by header and load condition · 28 ft building width · 30 psf ground snow · SPF #2 lumber / 2.0E LVL · L/360 · generated by the same math as the calculator. Verify locally before building.
Header	Roof + Ceiling	+ 1 Floor	+ 2 Floors

Want it built, not just sized?

We open bearing walls, set LVLs and frame the rest — fully insured, SAM.gov registered.

Call (810) 280-9008