It doesn't appear to meet modern code for framing. If you're going to have it inspected, you'll have to change it. If it's stood for 25 years without sagging, it's obviously strong enough.

It reminds me of balloon framing, except you have a double plate breaking up the continuous run of the studs. If the smaller studs (cripple) are over the existing studs, I wouldn't worry about it. Just think of the windows being taller all the way up to the double 2x8's, that is your header only continuous instead of having jack & king studs.

I would be concerned about that wire on the outside of the studs. Is it electric?

Thanks for your input.

Roof35, that's not a wire, it's the inner portion of a z drip cap coming through the seam in the sheathing.

Thinking of it as balloon framing helps to see how the structural loads are distributed.

No, it will not be permitted, (does not need to be here unless I do reframe the wall) and likely wasn't at the start years ago. This started as what was supposed to be simply changing out the windows, and slapping insulation and wallboard up, but has turned out to be a more involved project at numerous stages.

Did nobody notice the doubled band carrying the joists via joist hangers? The doubled band IS the header, in this case. Headers are not always where we expect them to be.
So you are probably good to go.
Casey

This post was edited by sombreuil_mongrel on Sun, Sep 14, 14 at 10:20

Once you pull the windows you could reach up inside with a sawz-all and cut the nails holding the sheathing to the 2x4 header, which will not pass. You can then remove the 2x4's. Cut the top studs to fit a 4x6 and re-nail it. It is not that hard to do. I just did it on about a dozen of our windows. Only two more to go. Easy peasy!

"Did nobody notice the doubled band carrying the joists via joist hangers? The doubled band IS the header, in this case."

Yes, I did notice, but that band joist is the header for the 2nd floor, not the 1st. When you interrupt the transference of load from roof to foundation with a window or door cut-out, you have to transfer that load to the sides of the opening with a header.

The size of the header is determined by the span of the joists, the loading on the joists and the width of the window openings and we don't seem to have any of that information.

If the band joist above is large enough it would serve as a header if some studs were added to take the load from the top plate to the floor below on each side of both window openings.

Casey: " Did nobody notice the doubled band carrying the joists via joist hangers?"

Actually, it is virtually impossible to tell those 2x8's are doubled in the picture. The OP mentioned they were doubled in the original post.

If you read the responses, you could see they were addressed.

This post was edited by Roof35 on Sun, Sep 14, 14 at 19:53

It's probably fine but I would add some studs.

I could see immediately that it was doubled; I have the eye of a framer still. I just have low reading comprehension of late. :)
Casey

"If you're going to have it inspected, you'll have to change it."

Not necessarily so. If the addition was previously inspected, and passed, it's grandfathered in.

Besides if it's stood for 25 yrs, with sagging - there is no problem - it's been tested.