Here in the midwest a typical header for a 2X4 wall is two 2X10/12 with a 1/2 osb sandwiched between to make it 3 1/2". What is the prefered method in the case of 2X6 walls? I have seen three layers of 2X material plus two layers of osb. This requires 50% more material. I have also seen a typical 2X4 header with an inch of foam on both sides. This would help to insulate the header and it places the header in the center of the wall. A third method uses 2 1/2" spacers between the 2X10/12 making it 5 1/2" It can then be stuffed with fiberglass insulation. I have one framer who tells me method 3 is the best way to go, and that he has been doing it for years. Another told me he tried it once and the inspector made him rip out all the headers and redo them. The reason being that the two members were not properly nailed together.
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