How to Cut a Large Rectangular Opening Between Two Walls

Cutting an opening in one of your home's walls may seem like a drastic step, but it's also a dramatic way to change the overall flow and dynamic of your home's interior. Large rectangular openings can be used to communicate between a kitchen and dining room, between a home office and living area or in many other spaces within your home. With the right tools and some understanding of the basic principles of framing, you can proceed with confidence in your remodeling job.

Plastic sheeting
Masking tape
Drop cloths
Tape measure
Carpenter's level
Dust mask
Goggles
Hammer
Reciprocating saw
2-by-4 boards
Circular saw
10d common nails

Instructions

- 1
  Tape off the room or area with plastic sheeting and tape. Place drop cloths on the floor around the area where you'll be working. Turn off the power to any light switches or outlets on or near the wall where you'll be working at the household circuit breaker panel.
- 2
  Measure and mark off the area you want to cut out. Add 2 inches to each side to account for framing in the opening.
- 3
  Put on a dust mask and goggles. Cutting drywall can raise significant amounts of dust.
- 4
  Punch a hole into the center of the planned opening with a hammer. Starting from this point, cut out the drywall from the marked opening. Repeat on the other side of the wall.
- 5
  Cut out the studs from the opening with a reciprocating saw.
- 6
  Measure and cut 2-by-4 boards that match the width of the opening. Place one board on the studs at the bottom of the opening. Nail the board to the studs from the top with 10d nails. Repeat for the top of the opening.
- 7
  Measure the space between the top and bottom plates. Cut two boards to match the distance. Place these between the top and bottom plates on either side of the opening and toe-nail them in with 10d nails.

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