Your door frame is now complete. Next, you can set your interior door and finish off by installing drywall and installing door casing. This step-by-step process for how to frame a door assumes you want to install a pre-hung door on an interior wall with exposed framing. If you are adding a door to an existing wall, start by removing the existing drywall and any insulation to expose the framing. It also assumes you’ve finished constructing wall framing, with your top plate and sole plate already installed.

Next, add two inches to the width measurement and 1-1/2 inches to the height measurement to determine your rough opening size. You’ll need this gap for the wooden shims you’ll use to level and install your prehung door. When purchasing raw lumber to frame your door, you can choose from pine, alder, fir, or birch wood. These types of wood are suitable for interior framing—pine is the most popular and readily available, and it’s typically the most affordable, as well. The plywood you’ll buy will mostly act as a spacer, so you can save some money by buying the most affordable 1/2" sheet available. Just make sure you get real plywood and not MDF.Door studs are decorative hardware pieces that are typically installed on the surface of exterior doors. They serve both a functional and aesthetic purpose, providing an added layer of protection to the door and enhancing its visual appeal. Cut a piece of 1/2 inch plywood the same length and width as your two-by-eight boards. Sandwich the plywood between the boards and connect all three pieces with framing nails. Using a framing nailer and 3-inch nails, toenail the king studs into place, connecting each to the plate boards. Toenailing a board refers to driving in the nail at a 45-degree angle, which is necessary if you don’t have access to a wall that’s already installed. If you’re framing your door before putting up the wall, nail the king studs from the top and bottom instead. Some homeowners choose a variety of wood that matches the other areas of their homes, but because drywall will eventually cover your framing, aesthetics aren’t as important as sourcing quality, durable lumber.

Remember that door studs are a decorative feature that can enhance the overall aesthetic of your home while also providing added protection to your door. Choose door studs that are both functional and visually appealing. If you’re uncomfortable doing the work, don’t have the necessary tools, or are concerned about how installing a new door will affect the structural stability of your home, call in a professional. Calling in an expert is especially important if you’re installing a door in a load-bearing wall, as any mistakes could cause a portion of your home to collapse. Measure the distance between the sole plate and top plate at your king stud markings. This measurement will typically be 96 inches, which is the standard stud length. However, framing can shift, and imperfections in construction can lead to small differences. Measure just in case. Using a measuring tape, measure the width and height of your new door, including the frame. The standard door size for interior door frames is 80 inches by 32 inches, but the width can vary between 28 and 36 inches. Make sure you have the exact measurements of your particular door from edge to edge.

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