responsive header image

I have a header
.siteheader {
      height : 155px;
      width : 100%;
      max-width: 1200px;
      margin:0 auto;
      background-repeat : no-Repeat;
      background-image : url("../images/header1.png");
      background-position : 0px 0px;
      background-size: 100% auto !important;
      /*border-bottom:1px solid #999;*/
}
as you can see I have the image resize according to browser size

I REALLY want this border-bottom but have commented it out because as the image height decreases then I have empty blank space within the header because the header itself is not resizing - so removing the border looks like the empty space belongs to the content area below the header.

question is how can I resize the header as the browser window changes size
I can then probably use background-size 100% 100%
I've tried
.siteheader {
      max-height : 155px;
      height : auto;
      min-height : ???;
what would i put for min-height?

or actually what should I do here with this situation?
thanks

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LVL 8

TimorosCommented: 2015-08-25

Can you provide a link?

LVL 66

Julian HansenCommented: 2015-08-26

Either you distort your header image or use cover which will chop bits off occasionally or you don't use the border.

If you set background-size: cover; you should solve the problem without distorting the image but it will potentially chop the top / sides off as you resize.

If you use 100% / 100% the image will distort to meet the changing size.

You could use media queries to alter the height of the header - proportionally the height is going to gain prominence as the screen size gets smaller - so pick the common screen sizes that are catered for in responsive design and set the height accordingly to keep your image proportions right OR to display a different image that will fit the space better.

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LVL 25

dgrafxAuthor Commented: 2015-08-26

I solved it by using both cover and a media query to swap out one of the images
I originally didn't want to use cover because I had some text that was being cropped
I broke the header image into 2 images and used your suggestions
Thanks

.siteheader {
      height:155px;
      min-height:77px;
      width : 100%;
      max-width: 1200px;
      margin:0 auto;
      border-bottom:1px solid #999;
      background-image : url("../images/header2AF.png"), url("../images/header2.png");
      background-position : 60% 70%, 0px 0px;
      background-repeat : no-Repeat;
      background-size: initial, cover;
}
@media only screen and (max-width: 768px) {
      .siteheader {
            background-image : url("../images/header2AF-sm.png"), url("../images/header2.png");
            background-position : 60% 70%, 0px 0px;
            background-repeat : no-Repeat;
            background-size: initial, cover;
      }

}

You are welcome.

responsive header image

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