How to Frame House Windows

Window frames that exist within homes are completed when the rest of the home is being built. The type of framing you use for this type of project depends on the type of insulation you use. Additionally, the exact framing process differs based on the style of your windows.

Things You Will Need:

·     Tape measure

·     Circular saw

·     Lumber

·     Nails

·     Hammer

·     Caulk

·     Paint or stain

1. Take down the appropriate measurements of your window, excluding the pre-drilled section that attaches to the surrounding frame.

2. Use a circular saw to cut the 2x6 inch lumber in the measurements you have documented. This is the lower piece and is going to be positioned on top of the cripples that are on the floor level.

3. Secure the sill by nailing it to the studs on top of the cripples. Before securing the sill into place, however, make sure that there is 16 inches of space in between the cripples.

4. Place the window so that the studs surround the frame. Ensure that the top plate is 4 inches thick and the lower plate is the average 2 inches in thickness. In order to make sure that the top plate is thick enough, simply add another board to the top and secure it into place.

5. Use the measurement for the window height and make necessary adjustments to the trim studs on the inside. Make another sill piece to lie across the studs’ width, nailing the studs so that they are secure.

6. Cut two additional pieces of your wood for the top portion of the window, as well as the side pieces, to create the finished box. Secure these pieces together by nailing each piece to its adjacent piece.

7. Install the window and seal the edges of the window with caulk. Finish by staining or painting the exterior portion.