Use and Care Guide

(Continued) Section 7

FRAMING THE ROUGH OPENING

Installing Stringers

STEP 1. Measure the stringer length “S” between

the headers (Figure 18).

STEP 2. Cut a stringer to this length. Use

joist-sized lumber.

STEP 3. If the ceiling joist does not provide one side

of the frame, then cut a second stringer the

same length as the first one. Note that only

one stringer is needed in Figure 18 because

the ceiling joist provides one side of

the frame.

STEP 4. Position the stringer(s) along the unframed

side(s) of your location (Figure 19). Check

that the inside dimensions of the frame are

the same as the rough opening shown on

the box or in Table 2 on page 6.

STEP 5. To attach the stringer(s) to the headers, use

nails that are long enough to go through

both headers and into the stringer at least

one inch. In most cases, a 4 inch nail (20d)

will be long enough. Square the stringer(s)

to the headers at one end and drive 3 nails

through the headers and into the stringer.

Check for squareness, then nail the other

end. Check the rough opening for

squareness by measuring across the

diagonals. The two measurements should

be within 1/8" to be considered square

(Figure 19).

Figure 19

Figure 18

Headers

Stringer

Diagonal

Measurements

Headers

Nails