How to Frame a Doorway With Wood & Metal

Measure the space for the door in the wall frame and add 2 inches. Mark this space on the bottom plate and use a reciprocating saw to cut out that piece of the bottom plate. Hopefully you knew you were going to install a door in this location and you left out any studs where the door would be--but if you didn't, you'll need to remove the studs, as well.

Cut two pieces of lumber long enough to run from the bottom plate to the top plate. These pieces are the king studs. Insert one king stud 2 inches away from the edge of the bottom plate, on each side. Once the king studs are laying in place, place a metal lumber connector flush with the lumber at the top of the frame. One side of the connector should touch the top plate, and the other side should be flush with the stud. Insert a nail into the holes in the bracket and nail it in. Use one connector bracket on the outside of each king stud at the bottom, and on the inside and outside at the top.

Cut two studs 1 inch taller than the height of the door. These are the jack studs. Position the jack studs on either side of the door, flush with the opening in the bottom plate. Nail the jack studs to the king stud with several nails up the side of the stud that go through the jack and into the king.

Cut a piece of wood that will fit across the top of the door, wide enough to stretch from one king stud to the other. This piece of wood is known as the header. The actual dimensions of the header will depend on building codes, so look up the building codes specific to your area. Nail the header to the king stud on either side with a metal bracket positioned to touch the top of the header on the bottom, and the side of the king stud on the top.

Cut two more pieces of lumber, sized to fit between the header and the top plate. These pieces are known as cripple studs. They should be nailed in place between 12 and 16 inches apart. Use metal lumber brackets to connect the cripple studs to the header and the top plate.