How to Frame a Non-Load Bearing Wall for a Pre-Hung Door

A non-load bearing wall does not support the weight of the building above it; it merely defines the space with the outer, load-bearing walls. A pre-hung door comes with the door and frame preassembled and can be placed in a framed rough opening with minimal effort. They are available at home improvement retailers in various widths and finishes, and using them reduces installation time. Framing a non-load bearing wall for a pre-hung door requires basic carpentry skill and tools.

Tape measure
Carpenter's pencil
Circular saw
Nail gun
Framing nails
Finish nails
2-by-4-inch lumber
2-by-12-inch board

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the width of the door frame on your soleplate and mark the width; this is the rough opening for your door. Mark the soleplate every 16 inches on each side of the door marks.
- 2
  Cut two 2-by-4 studs to 80 3/4-inches and toenail (drive a nail at a 45 degree angle through the stud and soleplate) them to the soleplate. These studs are known as triggers.
- 3
  Nail standard length 2-by-4s (king studs) to each trigger, outside the rough opening.
- 4
  Cut a 2-by-12-inch header 5 inches wider than the door frame and place it atop the triggers and between the king studs. Nail it into place by nailing through the king studs.
- 5
  Toenail a 2-by-4 stud to the soleplate at 16-inch intervals.
- 6
  Lay another 2-by-4 (top plate) along the other end of the studs and toenail it to the studs. Lay an additional 2-by-4 (doubler) on the top plate.
- 7
  Cut the soleplate from the rough opening, insert the door frame and nail it to the triggers with finish nails from inside the frame.

How to Cut an Opening in a Non-Load Bearing Wall

How to Frame a Support Wall

Walls