Window Placement

[mreynolds]

I am working on framing details for my house and I was wondering what would be a good height to put my window headers. The front windows will need a rough opening of 5'5"3/4 high by 2'9" 3/4. The walls are standard 8', are there any rules of thumb to go by?

[roger g]

Sometimes it depends on what is above the outside of the window frame. Obviuosly the frame must be below where the soffit is going to be. Usually the soffit touches the top of the frame. If the frame is lower and you have a brick finish you must consider how you are going to put one or two rows over the window or however you are going to finish it. If you have a monster opening then the lintel depth with control how high the window will be. Keep all the windows at the same height if possible.

roger

[Rich]

It's nice if you can match the door header height. It keeps it clean on the outside and inside.

[mreynolds]

Thanks, I think I had read something about the window heights and door headers being the same but I wasn't sure. I want to start cutting my headers in my garage and getting all my window and door assemblies finished before we break ground.

[Jedadiah]

If you are using 92" 5'8 studs then you should be fine placing the header at the top of the wall. Then all you should have to to is place one plate under the header to get 83" above the subfloor. Generally I always place the header at the top of the wall, even for 9' wall and than build down to the desired height. This also gets rid of the problems that wide headers can cause installing doors.