I have a 78 inch opening between two studs to install exterior French doors in a load bearing wall. I have a 72 inch door on order (actual size is 71 1/2 inch) To get to the 72 inch opening, I was thinking of either installing 2 king studs to the existing king studs with 2 jack studs or installing 4 jack studs. So which would be better, 4 king studs or 4 jack studs.
Walls – 4 King studs or 4 Jack studs
framingwalls
Related Solutions
Each of the two temporary structures (one in each room) will need to mimic the section of wall that is being removed. So if the jack poles are resting on a single bottom-plate and are holding up a double top-plate, then jack poles 16" on center are called for. If something more substantial than the double top plate and single bottom plate are used, then fewer jack poles are required. In the extreme, it'd take only two jack poles placed 6ft apart to hold up their own temporary 4x10 header. The first floor's floor will need similar support in the basement.
I'd build the temporary support structure using lumber that I could use again somewhere else.
All that is assuming the ceiling joists are perpendicular to the wall in question and that the support structures are placed close to the wall in question.
If instead the ceiling joists are parallel to the wall in question, then there must certainly be a 2nd flr wall that is on top of the wall in question, in which case all the temporary support structures will need to be installed up on the second floor.
Personally, though, my choice would be to do it like this, without shoring up ...
0) pick through the pile at the lumber yard for straight 2x10s
1) open the wall on both sides
2) install the king and jack studs
3) notch the top of the studs on one side to let in one 2x10
4) install the that 2x10 onto the jack studs
5) shim between the cut tops of the studs and 2x10
6) cut off the stud ears (produced by the notching) that are on the side
7) nail off the 9" wide rippings of 1/2" plywood filler
8) install the second 2x10 onto the jack studs
9) nail off the header
10) remove the shims
11) remove the old studs
International Residential Code 2012
Chapter 6 Wall Construction
Section R602 Wood Wall Framing
R602.7 Headers. For header spans see Tables R502.5(1) and R502.5(2).
So if you're on the top floor, you can use 2 2x4's (unless the building is 36' wide, in which case you'll need 2 2x6's). If you have a floor above, you'll need 2 2x6's (unless the building is 36' wide, in which case you'll need 2 2x8's).
Best Answer
1 king and one jack per side, assuming it's not an unusual load above. If your header has space above, make the jack continue up to the plate.
Only caution is that even though the 6" fill looks good on paper, the slightest fatness in your framing materials coupled with a tiny bit of "out of plumb", might mean your door is a tight fit. Buy the dryest 2x material you can find.