How to Rough in Door Framing

Cut a piece out of the bottom plate using a reciprocal saw. The cut in the bottom plate should be 2 inches wider than the door itself.

Measure the space between between the bottom plate and the top plate, then cut two pieces of lumber to that size. These pieces are the king studs. Use a circular saw to cut the lumber.

Nail one of the king studs into place on the left side of the door opening, set 2 inches away from the cut in the bottom plate. Use metal connector brackets to connect the stud to the bottom plate and the top plate, to ensure that the king stud is aligned at a 90-degree angle to the plates.

Nail the remaining king stud on the right side of the door opening, set 2 inches away from the cut in the bottom plate. Follow the same procedure you used to nail the king stud into place in Step 3.

Cut two pieces of lumber 1 inch taller than the door itself. These pieces are called the jack studs.

Nail each jack stud to a king stud. The bottom of each jack stud should touch the bottom plate, and should line up flush with the cut in the bottom plate.

Cut a piece of lumber long enough to fit between the two king studs on top of the jack stud. The thickness of this board will depend on whether or not your wall is load bearing, so check the building plans or local codes for requirements. This piece of lumber is called the header.

Nail the header into place between the king studs. The header should be touching the top of each jack stud.

Cut two pieces of lumber to fit in the space between the header and the top plate. These pieces are called the cripple studs.

Nail each cripple stud into place above the header. Use metal connector brackets to connect the top of the cripple stud to the top plate and the bottom of the cripple stud to the header. The cripple studs should be spaced 12 inches apart.