Construct a Window Frame
Windows serve more than one purpose. Windows are for allowing sunshine and weather into a home. If there is smoke in the house or a foul smell, a window can also let the bad air out. A window is as decorative or as plain as you choose. With so many window designs available, you are bound to find the perfect windows for your house. Building a window into a house is easy as long as the framing is done prior to the completion of the home's construction. A home without windows would feel somewhat like a dungeon, so plan on constructing quite a few window frames. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Measure and cut to size two 2-by-4 studs that will run from the top of the wall plate to the bottom plate. These are called king studs and will sit parallel to your window's rough opening, one on each side.
2. Determine the width of the window's rough opening. Nail the king studs in place one at each outside edge of the opening. Place three 16-penny nails in the studs through the top plate, and three nails at each bottom.
3. Measure the distance between the regular wall studs and the king studs. Cut two small 2-by-4s, called blocking, to sit horizontally between the two studs on both sides. The blocking is for additional wall support.
4. Using a tape measure, determine how much space is between the bottom wall plate and the bottom of the window's rough opening. Cut three 2-by-4s according to the measured height. These are called cripple studs. Nail two of them to the insides of the king studs. Place a 16-penny nail through the cripple studs into the king studs at the top, center and bottom. Nail the third cripple stud in the center of the rough opening to the bottom plate.
5. Place a window sill 2-by-4 by measuring and cutting a piece to sit on top of the cripple studs at the bottom of the window frame.
6. Attach two trimmer studs, one on each side of the window's rough opening, by measuring and cutting 2-by-4s to fit right next to the king studs, on top of the window sill, and below where the header will sit. Nail these trimmer studs to the king studs and at an angle through the sill.
7. Measure and cut a 2-by-8 the width of the area between the two kings studs. Nail the header at the top of the rough opening on top of both trimmer studs. Place nails through both king studs into the sides of the header. Use 16-penny nails.
8. Nail three small blocks to sit between the header and the top wall plate, one on each side up against the king studs, and one in the center of the header. Nail them to the surrounding studs and plate with 16-penny nail.
Tags: king studs, rough opening, window rough, window rough opening, cripple studs
