- 1). Measure the width of the window, add a half inch on each side (1 inch in total) and mark this distance on the sole (bottom) and top plates (the horizontal boards that form the bottom and top of the wall frame). This gives you the width of your rough opening, including room to place shims or spray insulation during installation.
- 2). Measure the height of the window, add a half inch above and below, and mark the top and bottom on all wall studs within or next to the space the window will occupy.
- 3). Mark the sole plate 1.5 inches beyond the rough opening width on each side, and then mark an additional 1.5 inches. These marks will indicate where to place new studs for the window frame. Note that it is possible to position your rough opening to make use of one or more existing studs instead of needing four new ones.
- 4). Measure from sole to top plate, and cut two 2-by-4 studs to match. Place these into the second slots you marked (1.5 inches from the edges of the window-width mark), check them with a level and toenail them (nail diagonally through them) to the top and sole plates.
- 5). Mark the studs from step 4 with the top and bottom of your rough opening. Mark above the top of the rough opening to indicate the height of the window header. The size of the header will be determined by local building codes and the window width. Mark 1.5 inches below the bottom mark, and then mark an additional 1.5 inches. These marks will indicate where to place a set of two stacked 2 x 4s to serve as a sill.
- 6). Saw through each stud between the two new studs you placed in step 4. Cut them at the mark for the bottom of the sill and the mark for the top of the header, and remove the piece of lumber between.
- 7). Measure from the sole plate to the mark for the top of your rough opening, and cut two 2-by-4s to match. Nail these next to the studs from step 4, so they will be adjacent to the window.
- 8). Build your header according to local building codes. You may simply need to cut a 2-by-4 to fit between the studs from step 4 and rest on the studs from step 7. For wider windows, you may need to use 2-by-6 or larger lumber and nail two pieces together with a piece of 3/8-inch plywood between.
- 9). Set the header on top of the studs from step 7 and nail it into place.
- 10
Measure between the studs from step 4, and cut two 2-by-4s to match. Nail them to each other to form a "double sill," and then place this sill on the stubs of the studs you cut in step 6. Nail the sill to the shortened studs, and you will have a finished frame and be ready to install your window.
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