It is a double, triple, quad header? Is there a steel fitch plate in between? It "appears" to have a little mildew in some areas and the start of dry rot in others. While is "probably" does not need replacing it does need to be better protected and flashed when the trim board is put back.

Thanks for your response. I believe it’s a double header and I don’t think there’s a steel fitch plate in between

You have to poke the wood with an awl.

Replacement of the header without removal of the door is unlikely. At least in most cases.

This needs an on-site diagnosis. On one hand a little discoloration doesn't weaken wood substantially, on the other, if one end is rotted, it's no longer doing any structural work.

The windows will probably have to be pulled to flash them properly anyway. If so, replacing the beam isn't that much more work or expense.

Thanks for everyone’s response! Our dilemma is that the door system and windows are brand new- they were installed two years ago but this header was never brought to our attention during install. It’s my understanding now that there should have also been a framing inspection as the size of the top window changed from a half round to a rectangle, thus enlarging the opening. I don’t know if this would have passed that inspection. But I’m thinking it’s just going to need to be changed out…if it’s rot won’t it keep rotting over time even if no water is getting to it?

I am going to guess that there was evidence of water infiltration at the time when the windows and door were done. If not, the capping and flashing details were done improperly and have subsequently just pushed the water right into the beam wall cavity. If the beam is actually impacted vs. just stained, taking it out without disturbing the door/window install is going to be a challenge.

"taking it out without disturbing the door/window install is going to be a challenge."

Or dam near impossible...............

Yes the reason we had new windows and doors installed in the first place was because the previous were original to the house and we had major water infiltration after a 2019 spring storm. There was wood rot on the previous windows that was allowing water to come into the home. I’m assuming this was from years and years of slow water leaks and then possibly having an improper install with the new windows have exacerbated the problem. We’re disappointed it just wasn’t taken care of when the windows and door were both already out. We’re having a different company tell us this whole wall might need reframing so we’re looking at a pretty extensive job I think

Yes you are.

It’s my understanding now that there should have also been a framing inspection as the size of the top window changed from a half round to a rectangle, thus enlarging the opening.

While this can vary by city, in my experience that is not correct. The rough opening and structure wasn't enlarged, those nailers that were scabbed in to accommodate a round window were simply removed. The opening was alwaya a rectangle... Some building depts will require a permit anyway (certainly they will if they require one for simply replacing windows), but again, in my experience it is not considered an alteration/enlarging of the rough opening.

Back to the question at hand, I'm going to agree with the pros above on two main points:

1) Its almost impossible to say with certainty what is needed without inspection in person, and even then I'm not surprised that you are getting differing opinions.

2) This will be a pretty tall task if that does need replacement without a doubt.

If you haven't already, would definitely try to confirm whether the water infiltration was caused by the new install, or was original and fixed by the new window install. If the former, that is another aspect that will need resolution.

-Was the trim board covering this header removed during installation of the windows or doors?

-What was your occassion for removing out of curiosity?

I'd inspecct every penetration in this house.

This can be repaired, most likely there is the main header at the very top, and this is just a separation header between the windows, I would remove all that damaged wood, apply wood hardener epoxy, and use repair epoxy filler.

Flash the window properly and trim it out using composite material instead of wrapping wood with aluminum... Because if it's not maintained properly, and usually when the entire wall all windows nobody ever checks and water gets behind the aluminum and everything is deteriorating behind it until you see a problem on the interior and by that time already too late to save anything.

Good luck

Why waste time with cosmetic fixes to something structural that will be hidden? Water will get behind everthing and the same thing would have happened regardless of material if not flashed properly with the exception of the cosmetic components.