How to Build Wood-Framed Windows

A wood-framed window can be built during initial conctruction.

Building a wood-framed window requires constructing the rough frame for a window with the existing wall studs. The frame will need a header and sill for support. Such a window can be built when a new house is constructed or added to an existing home. First, you'll need to know where you're going to place the window.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Pencil
• 2-by-4 boards
• Circular saw
• 10d nails
• Hammer
• 2-by-6 board
• 3/8-inch plywood

Instructions

1. Measure the width of the window along the sole plate of the wall with the tape measure. Make a mark on the sole plate with the pencil for the location of the king studs.

2. Measure the height of the wall and transfer the measurement to a 2-by-4 board. Cut the 2-by-4 board to the required length with the circular saw.

3. Insert the 2-by-4 boards into the framing on the mark you made. Attach the boards to the sole plate and top plate with 10d nails, using the hammer.

4. Measure up from the floor and make a mark on one of the king studs for the bottom of the window header. Repeat this step on the opposite king stud.

5. Measure up 6 inches from the marks you made in step 4 and make a mark with the pencil.

6. Place a level on the marks you made in step 5 and draw a line on the studs that are in between the king studs.

7. Measure down from the marks you made in step 5, the length of the window, and add 4 inches. Make a mark with the pencil to indicate the location of the rough sill.

8. Place the level on the marks and draw a line on the studs that are in between the king studs.

9. Cut the old studs along the lines you made in step 6 and 8 with the circular saw. Remove the sections of stud and set them aside.

10. Measure and cut jack studs, using the measurement in step 4. Attach the jack studs to the king studs with the 10d nails.

11. Measure the distance between the king studs and then transfer the measurement to a 2-by-6 board. Cut two sections of 2-by-6 with the circular saw. Insert a piece of 3/8-inch plywood between the 2-by-6 boards and connect the sections with nails, using the hammer.

12. Measure the distance between the jack studs and transfer the measurement to a 2-by-4 board. Cut two sections of board with the circular saw. Nail the two sections together to create the rough sill.

13. Insert the header piece onto the jack studs. Drive nails into the side of the king stud and into the header.

14. Place the rough sill on top of the bottom section of studs that you cut in step 9. Nail the sill to the bottom studs and to the jack studs with the 10d nails.

Tips & Warnings

• King studs are the main studs that are used to attach to the header.

• Jack studs are the wood studs that support the header.

References

• Black & Decker: How to Frame a Window Opening