Insulated Structural Headers

1 MIN READ

Pete Sucheski

To help builders meet more stringent energy codes and standards, engineered-framing suppliers have developed one-piece insulated structural headers that improve on piecemeal assemblies, making installation easy, and delivering superior thermal resistance and solid nailing surfaces.

  1. Flush Fit Sized to run flush to 2×6 wall framing, an engineered header also retains its shape in fluctuating climate conditions and with shifting foundations to ensure thermal values and proper load transfer and mitigate cracks at studwall connections.
  2. Stable Surfaces A 3 9/16- inch-thick structural member and a 7/16-inch-thick layer of OSB sandwich the insulation, providing structural stability and nailing surfaces for drywall and exterior sidewall sheathing and claddings.
  3. Core Component Securely laminated to the engineered-wood components on either side, the header’s insulating layer is a 1.5-inch-thick, glass-fiber–reinforced polyisocyanurate foam with a 1.0 mil. reflective aluminum foil face. By itself, the insulation achieves an R-9.8 thermal value.

About the Author

Upcoming Events

  • How the Right Mortgage Platform Fuels Builder Growth

    Live Webinar

    Register for Free
  • What 50,000 Home Builder Conversations Tell Us

    Live Webinar

    Register Now
  • The Next Evolution of Zonda Enterprise for Builders

    Webinar

    Register Now
All Events