How to Frame a Non-Bearing Window Rough Opening

Measure the distance between the upper and lower wall plates. These are the horizontal two-by-fours at the top and bottom of the wall's rough framing. Measure and cut two two-by-fours to the measured distance. These two cut pieces are called king studs.

Check the window packaging for the rough opening width and height. Place two marks on the upper wall plate spaced apart the same distance as the rough opening specification.

Stand the two king studs in the opening, with the faces aligned with the marks made on the upper wall plate. Place the level against the inside face of the studs and level them vertically. The distance between the two studs should be the same as the rough opening width.

Drive two nails through one side of each end of the kings studs at an angle into the wall plates. Add a third nail on each end, on the side of the stud opposite the first two nails.

Determine the height of the rough sill. The rough sill is a horizontal two-by-four that sits between the two king studs. The distance from the rough sill to the top of the opening is equal to or greater than the rough opening height. The rough sill height determines the window bottom's distance from the floor. Mark the height on one king stud and transfer the height to the other king stud using the level.

Measure from the two marks to the lower wall plate and subtract 1 1/2 inches for the length of the jack studs. Cut two two-by-fours to this length. Stand the jack studs on the lower plate and nail one to each king stud.

Measure the distance between the two king studs at the top of the jack studs and cut a two-by-four to this length. This is the rough sill. Place the rough sill on top of the two jack studs and nail it into the jack studs with two nails at each end, and into the king studs using one nail at each end.

Mark the king studs at a distance from one end equal to the height of the rough opening. Measure from the marks to the upper plate and subtract 1 1/2 inches. Cut two 2-by-4 studs to this length. Place the studs against the king studs and the upper plate and nail in place.

Measure between the king studs at the bottom of the two two-by-four pieces and cut a two-by-four to this length. This piece is called a header. Nail the header to the two two-by-fours and to the king studs.

Measure and cut additional two-by-fours to fit between the rough sill and the lower plate, and between the header and the upper plate. Place one additional piece spaced every 16 inches, measured from the center of one stud to the center of the next, beginning with the center of one king stud.