I am in a
bungalow with the doors into the bathroom and 2 bedrooms all being different height. I'd like to increase the door height and shifting the header up seemed like a simple thing. however…this is what i found and i am not sure how to proceed… i was not expecting a double header. then again i know nothing about this. any thoughts are appreciated. not sure about load bearing
Doors – Need to increase door height in bungalow
doors
Related Solutions
For high priced custom doors, you deserve to get it right.
The king studs are the primary support on the sides of the door (they go all the way up to the top plate. However, the jack studs are supporting the header over the door and that is supporting the cripple studs over the header. If this is a load bearing wall, these are all supporting members.
If the jack studs are cut down, they probably need to be cut more than 3/4 inch total to accomodate shims to square the door in the opening. If you take out only 1/2 inch on each side, you have reduced the jack stud by 33%. If this is done in place, you are also stressing the remaining structure of studs, header, etc. in sawing out the excess.
It could be that the overall framing is overengineered enough to survive this assualt, but it is risky, violates most building codes and is a bad way to start a good project.
I would insist that they measure thrice (three times instead of the recommended two) and bring a correctly sized door.
P.S. I had a similar problem with a custom tempered glass shower door that I had waited eight weeks for. They played with cludging it for about a minute and then took it back for a correctly sized piece. It hurts but it is worth it.
- Remove trim.
- Remove door casing.
- Remove drywall around jack studs (2x4 closest to door opening on each side) and pretty much all the way up to the ceiling. Stop if you have roofing structure above your door - keep going if you don't.
- Pull out jack studs (you could just extend them with a piece of 2x4 on non load bearing walls)
- Push up header to desired height. You will have to take out the cripples (small 2x4s) above the header. I don't think the door in your picture is going up a foot with that trim.
- Put in new longer jack studs on each side.
- Install new, longer door.
- Drywall, mud, tape, all that good stuff - this might take the longest.
- Install new, longer trim. You could use old trim if you could find some casing that will fit on the bottom corners and if door is same width.
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Best Answer
That's not a header, just a nailer. Some carpenters / builders like to use two so that the trim is easier to nail and looks better. You're fine removing one of them. Leave at least one though to nail the trim to after your done (moved or not)