How to Frame an Interior Rough Door

Doors are installed in walls in a space known as a rough opening. The rough opening consists of a horizontal header that forms the top of the rough opening, jack studs that support the header and king studs that span the jack studs and header and run from the bottom plate to the top plate. The plates are pieces of 2-by-4 that rest horizontally on the floor or against the ceiling to which the ends of the wall studs are attached. The framing process for an interior rough door requires attention to detail.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Pencil
• Saw
• 2-by-4 lumber
• Hammer
• Nails

Instructions

1. Add 2 inches to the width of the door to determine the rough opening width.

2. Make two marks on the bottom plate to represent the outside edges of the rough opening, using a pencil. The marks should be the distance of the rough opening width apart, plus 3 inches for the width of the jack studs.

3. Measure the height of the king studs from the top plate to the bottom plate with a measuring tape and cut them, using a saw.

4. Nail the king studs in place, using a level to plumb--make level horizontally--the studs. Drive the nails in at an angle through the stud into the top and bottom plates, using a hammer.

5. Add 2 inches plus the thickness of the finish flooring to the height of the door and cut the two jack studs to this height, using the saw.

6. Install the jack studs next to the king studs so that they are facing each other. The distance between the jack studs should be the width of the rough opening. Nail the jack studs to the bottom plate and the king studs.

7. Measure the distance between the king studs and cut four pieces of 2-by-4 to that length.

8. Create a box, using the 2-by-4s. Place one flat, stand two on edge on top of that and then cap them with the last 2-by-4 laid on top of them. Nail them together.

9. Place the header on top of the jack studs. Secure it by nailing into it through the king studs.

10. Cut out the bottom plate flush with the sides of the jack studs.

Tips & Warnings

• For walls that bear weight, replace the two upright 2-by-4s in the headers with 2-by-10s for added strength.

References

• "Framing Floors, Walls and Ceilings;" Editors of Fine Homebuilding; 2009