Framing Basement Window Rough Opening

Framing rough openings for windows and doors standard door and windows openings is really straight forward if you follow some simple dimensional rules.

Framing basement window rough opening.

You can either nail the top and bottom plates then nail the studs in between or build each section on the floor and then raise and nail it into place. In the first basic framing video we covered layout. When framing a new window rough opening the sill can be sloped by cutting the top of the cripple studs at an angle. For standard wood framed construction the rough openings for doors and windows is typically the actual unit size plus 2 1 2 inches in height and width.

Take off both interior wall covering and exterior siding to expose the existing rough framing. Doors windows and electrical fixtures will all need to be framed too as well as partition walls and soffits. The window sill can either interrupt the jack stud or not. Remove all trim around the window both inside and outside using a pry bar to pull it loose.

You can pre build these rough openings too while you re waiting for the wall layouts. The adjacent diagram shows a traditionally framed window opening from a recent project. Understanding the anatomy of a framed window opening will help you properly frame both window and door rough openings. Marking rough opening centers first all the way down the wall.

One of the most basic framing techniques involves framing window and door openings. When taking this approach remember that even a 5 degree slope will cause a 2 6 sill to protrude past the other framing members which could cause the sheathing to bulge out.