How to Frame Church Doors

Church doors can represent difficulty during framing for a host of reasons. In most cases, they are double doors (sometimes known as French doors), are generally taller, wider and heavier than standard home doors, and in many cases far more elaborate and expensive. It is recommended, for that reason, that at least one assistant be on hand to help with moving and supporting the wood for the frames and to double-check all measurements.

Stud finder
Measuring tape
Saw
2-inch by 4-inch studs
Hammer
Finishing nails
Drill
Screws

Instructions

- 1
  Measure your doors and record the final measurement.
- 2
  Decide where you would ideally like the doors placed. Find and mark three wall studs to the left and the right of where you would want the center of the doors. If located on a corner, mark the six studs through which the door will rest.
- 3
  Add 3 inches onto the measurements of the door in each direction and mark these final measurements onto the wall. Be sure to place them so that the doors will rest neatly and evenly inside where you have marked out the studs.
- 4
  Use the saw to cut the drywall from the marked portion and make sure that no electricity, plumbing or phone lines intersect the portion of the wall needing to be removed. If there are, consult a contractor on the proper methods to move them.
- 5
  Measure two 2-inch by 4-inch studs (2x4s) at the height of the door, plus 1/2 inch to accommodate for flooring. Cut them neatly.
- 6
  Identify the outer studs (also called the king studs) which the doors will rest against. Screw the cut 2x4s on the insides of these studs. These second studs are called the jack studs; they will support the hinges of the door.
- 7
  Measure the depth of the header (the top piece of the frame) by adding 3 inches to the total inches of the door's rough opening. Since many church doors are custom, the rough opening will be the width of both doors, plus the 6 inches of clearance cut into both sides of the door.
- 8
  Cut the header from 2x4s and drill them into place atop the jack studs and into the king studs.

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