How to Recess a Header Into a Wall

Measure the width of your wall. Cut three pieces of 2-by-4-inch boards to length. Position two boards flat on the floor on their 4-inch sides so that the boards are parallel with the ends even. Measure 16 inches from one end and mark. Measure 1 1/2-inches from your first mark and mark. Draw an "X" between your two marks. Measure 16 inches and mark. Measure 1 1/2 inches and mark. Draw an "X" between your two marks. Continue across the width of the board.

Use a framing square to draw straight lines perpendicular to your marks across both plates. Stand your top plate on its 2-inch side with the lines facing the bottom plate. Stand the bottom plate on its 2-inch side with the lines facing the top plate. Cut two pieces of 2-by-4-inch boards to your ceiling height. Account for double top plates for your load bearing wall. Position one stud on its 2-inch side aligned with the left-side end of the plates.

Nail through the top plate into the top end of the stud using two framing nails. Nail through the bottom plate into the bottom end of the same stud using two framing nails. Repeat for the other end.

Mark the location on the bottom plate for the doorway or opening that will require the header. Measure 1 1/2-inches to the left from the left-side mark. Label this mark "B." Measure 1 1/2-inches to the right from the right-side mark. Label this mark "C." Draw a line on the bottom plate at each mark "B" and "C." The left-side mark indicates the inside of the king stud for the left side of the opening. The right-side mark indicates the inside of the king stud for the right side of the opening. Measure and mark the top plate with the same lines. Cut two 2-by-4-inch boards for the king studs. The king studs are the last full-height studs before the header opening.

Position the king studs on the "B" and "C" marks with the line to the inside or header side of the stud. Nail the king studs to the top and bottom plate using two nails per each end. Measure the height of your header opening and subtract 1 1/2-inches for the bottom plate. Cut two pieces of 2-by-4-inch boards for your jack studs. Jack studs are positioned against king studs at the height of the bottom of the header.

Nail your jack studs to your king studs on the inside of each king stud. Use a nail every 8 to 12-inches. Cut the header the width between the king studs above the height of the jack studs. Place the header on top of the jack studs and nail through the king studs into the ends of the header using two nails every 4 to 6-inches. For wide openings you may need double jack studs to help hold the header. Adjust your calculations on king stud placement to fit your requirements.

Measure the distance between your header and the bottom of the top plate. Cut a cripple stud for every 16 inches of header width. Nail your cripple studs every 16 inches on center from one of your king studs. Use two nails through the top plate into the top end of the cripple stud. Toenail two nails through the bottom side edges of the cripple stud into the header. "Toenail" means to drive the nails in at a 45-degree angle.

Cut the remaining studs you need to fit your "X" marks on the bottom plate. Nail your studs into the wall. Nail your second top plate over your existing top plate with all of the sides aligned. Cut your bottom plate inside your jack studs. Stand up your wall and nail your wall to the adjacent walls.