I'm looking for some input on headers required in Gable End Walls. I don't have a true header above my livingroom window and am wondering if, since it is a gable end wall, one is required.

In the attached pic, the blue rectangle is the rim joist (SINGLE 2x10 - approx. 15' overall length) which is part of the upstairs floor structure. The roof is comprised of 2x6 rafters on 24" centers, and the entire front is sheathed in 3/4" plywood. There are collar ties (green) between rafters as shown and the window opening is 6-foot wide.

Obviously this is not sufficient for a normal load bearing wall, but might this be ok for a gable end as shown? (It has stood for 60+ years)

I was considering sistering a 2nd 2x10 approx. 8' long to the existing blue rim joist (centered above the window). Would this be a good idea, necessary, or still not enough?

Thanks so much for any advice.

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nmwirez

Nice pic Linfield!
An additional belly band scabbed to the rim joist shearwall sided exterior is IMO not worth bothering unless there is a settling issue over that 6' window. If there are interior sheetrock cracks at the kingstud 2x header then that may need correcting.
Usually it is the sheetrocker who hung vertical instead of horizontal along the wall into the header area in one piece. But if this is an earthquake concern, still that window is not going to rack unless there is no shearwall around it. Good job...nm

LinfieldPA

WOW nm! Thanks for the VERY fast response!

Just so I'm clear with all of that: What is shown in the pic should be sufficient even without the additional 2x10 added to the existing rim joist, UNLESS interior cracks have appeared indicating that the single rim joist was not adequately supporting the load? Single-sheet horizontal sheetrock spanning the entire window span would help to prevent cracks due to minor shifting? Is that pretty much correct? Sorry if I'm dense, it's Monday!

Thanks again,
Brian

nmwirez

Hey, I have the same problem on Fridays. You are pretty much on target. That rim joist is most likely parallel to the upstairs joisting which puts the major live load on the right and left bearing walls and not the GE over the front window. Usually a second floor end joist is doubled up in the framing to start with. I wouldn't worry about it. Besides, there are a lot of other things to worry about in our cranked up everyday living. nm