Between 4 and 5 feet the header should be built 2 inches wide and 8 inches long while a larger opening needs a header that is 2 by 12.
Garage door header span.
Notches on the outer thirds must not exceed 1 6 of the width of the board.
Their is no notching permitted in the center third of any beam.
When in doubt use 2 by 12 inch headers.
Most door frames that are 4 feet wide or less require a 2 by 6 header.
To our knowledge no additional testing has been done to justify continuous headers over multiple garage door openings.
Portal frame details within the irc specify simple span headers with a maximum finished opening width of 18.
Tables providing size selections for various beam spans and loading combinations for southern pine dimension lumber and southern pine glued laminated timber are available for the following applications.
Window door garage door headers supporting roof loads only.
These details are based on testing done by the engineered wood association that included only simple span headers.