How to Make a Header for a Doorway

A header, a manufactured beam, over a door or window supports the building load opening. The header forms the top part of the door opening and is supported on each side by a jack stud that forms the sides of the door opening. Builders use dimensional lumber and plywood to construct headers.

2-by-8-inch board
3/4-inch plywood
16d nails

Instructions

- 1
  Cut two 2-by-8-inch boards to the desired length for the door header. The header is 3 inches longer than the planned door opening width to allow for the jack studs.
- 2
  Cut a piece of 3/4-inch plywood to the same length as the 2-by-8 boards and 7 1/2 inches wide.
- 3
  Place the plywood between the two boards and nail the boards together using 16d nails. Place three nails equally spaced vertically every 12 inches. Bend the protruding points of the nail over with a hammer.

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