Adding Window to exterior wall - hire Structural Engineer?

[B20EF]

I'm remodeling my small master ensuite. I want to add a small window to it. The overall plan is to turn it from a 2 peice to a 3 peice which is why the window must go in the location I chose.

It is an exterior wall so obviously load bearing. I understand how to frame a window with King studs, trimmer studs, header, sill, jack studs etc.
Due to how high the window has to be I'll likely just use two 2X12 as the header directly under the top plate.

Questions:
Do I need a permit to install a window on an exterior wall?
Should I hire a structural engineer to get load calculations?
Any idea how much a structural engineer charges for this?

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee174/b18c_ek/OutsideHouse.jpg (http://s232.photobucket.com/user/b18c_ek/media/OutsideHouse.jpg.html)
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee174/b18c_ek/Ensuitewindow1.jpg (http://s232.photobucket.com/user/b18c_ek/media/Ensuitewindow1.jpg.html)
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee174/b18c_ek/Ensuitewindow2.jpg (http://s232.photobucket.com/user/b18c_ek/media/Ensuitewindow2.jpg.html)

[ExtraSlow]

Only thing I'm sure of is that you will need a permit for this renovation.

[B20EF]

Are you saying that becasue I'm changing the structure of my building?

[Tomaz]

^^^ More along the lines of modifying the exterior of the building. Same if changing the structure.

From my experience, the only time you don't have to pull permits is when you are only replacing existing windows. When adding or removing windows and doors, you will need a permit.

Reason being, there are rules regarding the square footage of glass for each elevation depending on orientation of the house, etc.

[ercchry]

you touch electrical or plumbing... you need a permit

[Tomaz]

Originally posted by ercchry
you touch electrical or plumbing... you need a permit

My experience is with just windows and doors, but yes, that applies also.

[AudiPWR]

Permits are for pussies, just install the damn thing.

[masoncgy]

How big of a window are you putting in? I assume just a small one from what I can tell.

I would be more worried if you were cutting open the exterior wall on the main floor as those walls are carrying a lot more weight than where you are proposing to put in a window.

I wouldn't be too concerned about doing it, just make sure you frame in the rough-in properly with the right structure, just as you have proposed.

[turbotrip]

Originally posted by AudiPWR
Permits are for pussies, just install the damn thing.

cosign; what kind of bitch is going to let the city tell them what they can and cant do in their own home

[jdmakkord]

If the window is spec'd to fit between the existing studs, I don't believe you should be worried too much. Frame out the rough opening correctly, and you should be fine. If you are cutting out studs it's a different story.

[Tik-Tok]

Originally posted by jdmakkord
If the window is spec'd to fit between the existing studs, I don't believe you should be worried too much. Frame out the rough opening correctly, and you should be fine. If you are cutting out studs it's a different story.

That'd be a skinny little window, lol. But then, you could put in two skinny windows, and it would look better.

[sxtasy]

:werd: Jus gitter dun. Sounds like you understand the concept of building a header, doesn't look like it would be a huge window or big span so just do it. If your worried add a couple of studs on either side of the hole you are cutting until your header is done. It looks like the area you are planning to install it could be susceptible to nasty weather and/or snow load, make sure you blueskin and flash it properly.

[FixedGear]

Originally posted by sxtasy
:werd: Jus gitter dun. Sounds like you understand the concept of building a header, doesn't look like it would be a huge window or big span so just do it. If your worried add a couple of studs on either side of the hole you are cutting until your header is done. It looks like the area you are planning to install it could be susceptible to nasty weather and/or snow load, make sure you blueskin and flash it properly.

This.

What you are proposing OP is a very simple job. You just need a header, read online or in a book about how to do it if you've never done framing before. cheers

[frozenrice]

Although it's on an exterior wall, the gable roof suggests that it's not "load bearing". You don't need a strutural engineer for something like that. A simple permit application will likely suffice. The plan examiner will check the structural and let you know if it will pass or fail. A double 2x8 header/lintel should suffice depending on how wide of an opening you need to make (I can't remember the exact size but it should be good to up to roughly 3ft). If your window is over that, a double 2x10 should be enough (up to about 6ft - I think).
Secondary to structural, you'll have to make sure that your water proofing is done correctly with the proper building paper overlap, flashing, drip edge and caulking, otherwise all that work putting that window in, is all but wasted effort once you start experiencing leaks.

Good luck.

[B20EF]

^^^Good to know thanks. The window will be small - probably 18" by 24" or something but the studs are 16 on center so one stud will definately need to go. I'm not worried about that. I'm not even worried about the window leaking. Even dead of winter with a foot of snow on the roof you can see the shingles in that location, the weather just does not blow against that wall - either way I'll trim it proper.

I am mostly worried that one day when I sell the house the lack of a permit will cause problems.