How to Frame a Load-Bearing Doorway

Measure the width of the door and cut out a section of the bottom plate 2 inches wider than the door's width. Use a reciprocating saw.

Measure the distance between the top plate and bottom plate. With a circular saw, cut two studs, known as the king studs, to this length. Nail each king stud into place 1 1/2 inches from each side of the doorway you cut in Step 1. Use metal connector brackets to nail the studs to the plates at 90-degree angles.

Measure the height of the door and add 1 inch. Cut two studs, known as the jack studs, to this length. Nail the jack studs to the king studs so that the bottom of the jack studs are flush with the cut you made in the bottom plate, and the bottom of the jack studs are resting on the bottom plate.

Measure the distance between the two king studs for the header. Check the building plans for the right dimensions of the beams to use for this part of the doorway. Cut the header to the distance you measured and lay the header horizontally over the jack studs. Nail the header into place using metal connector brackets.

Measure the distance between the header and the top plate. Cut two pieces of lumber to this size. These pieces are the cripple studs. Nail the cripple studs into place between the header and the top plate, with 12 inches of distance between the two studs.