Thread: Attaching a Header to Posts when adding a floor

Hi,

Hoping for some direction on the best way to proceed with a connection between a header and existing posts in a wall. I am looking to add a second floor above a dining room with 30ft ceilings. The room is 13'6" x 13'6". On one side there is an existing second floor with a header that I can rest the TJI joists on top of but on the other side of the 13' 6" span there is a wall with 4x4 posts in the corners and (2) 4x6 posts roughly 4' from each end. So the longest open span along this wall is about 7' 6".

I am preparing plans for this addition and wondering what the proper way to connect this header to those posts is. Assuming I can just bolt in on, I don;t have easy access to the back of the posts so is there a specific hanger that should be used for this type of application or just Lag Screws and Earthquake strapping of some sort. (I am in Northern CA.)

I plan on using 11 7/8" TJI Floor Joists (same or equivalent to existing joists) and hanging them on this header per code. It looks like I could get away with a 1 3/4" MicroLam Header but I will probably just go up to a 3 1/2" ParaLam header.

Appreciate anyone's expertise on how to make these connections or if I am missing something here that I should also be considering.

floorplan2.jpgfloorplan1.jpg

Similar Threads:

• attaching to a manufactured home
• How you like this header DYI?
• Attaching floor joists to existing foundation - is this acceptable?
• Attaching decks
• What were they thinking when adding a second floor

This situation should be evaluated by a registered civil/structural engineer, and/or check with your local building department for requirements.

There may be someone on here that knows the answer as a coincidence, but that's pretty far away from what most of us do for a living. You're going to need the manufacturer's input as well as an SE or AE, as the earlier post mentioned.

As an engineer, I think there are too many factors involved for anyone to answer this without looking closely at conditions. I would not want to take the time to look into this or have the responsibility of providing engineering over the Internet. Someone needs to size the beams, columns, footings, etc. You should hire an engineer to do this.

Assuming an 11 7/8" x 3 1/2" Parallam® beam is sufficient for that span, just throw a 4x4 post under each end of the beam inside the existing walls.

Originally Posted by Steve Payson

Assuming an 11 7/8" x 3 1/2" Parallam® beam is sufficient for that span, just throw a 4x4 post under each end of the beam inside the existing walls.

4 x 4 post under each end... Seriously ?? Sounds extremely dangerous to me. This is exactly why these types of questions should never be answered on-line. Do not proceed until you have your plans reviewed and approved by a qualified structural engineer !

Questions like this seldom have easy answers. Often you get answers from people who may not be qualified to answer them, or may not be considering all factors.

With a project like this there are often other answers you need but may not know to ask.

Bottom line is that free advise is worth what you paid for it.

Looks like you have already had plans drawn up, with posts at the corners and in between as described in your post. Typically a flooring (truss) designer specifies the connection hardware required. More often than not its something from the Simpson Strong-Tie collection. Pretty sure that simply lag screws or your own combination of strapping and nails is going to satisfy the AHJ/Inspector. Call the truss company, your architect or your inspector (in that order) til you get the specific answer to your specific scenario.

Good Luck!

Originally Posted by Joe Klampfer

4 x 4 post under each end... Seriously ?? Sounds extremely dangerous to me.

Why is that dangerous? Did you look at his plans? It's construction 101.

Originally Posted by Joe Klampfer

This is exactly why these types of questions should never be answered on-line.

I guess this is why most inspectors defer everything to professionals.

Originally Posted by Mark Reinmiller

Questions like this seldom have easy answers. Often you get answers from people who may not be qualified to answer them, or may not be considering all factors.

I've been building residential and commercial structures for most of my working life. The answer was easy.

But you didn't even answer the question. The post size wasn't an issue.

Originally Posted by Jim Robinson

But you didn't even answer the question.

Yes I did.

Originally Posted by AndrewSet

I am preparing plans for this addition and wondering what the proper way to connect this header to those posts is. Assuming I can just bolt in on, I don;t have easy access to the back of the posts so is there a specific hanger that should be used for this type of application or just Lag Screws and Earthquake strapping of some sort.

He assumed he could bolt/connect the header/beam to existing framing. I gave him a proper solution which is to support the beam from below using 4x4 posts.

Originally Posted by Jim Robinson

The post size wasn't an issue.

I didn't say the post size was an issue either. I merely offered a solution with proper dimensions.