Are Jack Studs necessary on partition walls?

Gusaroo

I am throwing up some partition walls to divide up a large room and am wondering if I can save a few bucks by not using jack studs in the door ways. Obviously, the walls are not load bearing, but I was wondering if the doubled up king stud and jack stud are needed to add rigidity for the swinging door frame or if just a single stud opening is strong enough for the door opening. Thanks guys.

AtlanticWBConst.

Jack studs are not necessary from a structural standpoint. However, you will want to install them for several other reasons.

1.) Door installation: They strengthen a door opening for an actual door installation.

2.) Sheetrocked opening: They strengthen the opening, especially if that opening will be wrapped in sheetrock. Pretty much, you are going to see cracked corner bead over time, if you don't double the sides.

3.) Wood Trim-work Installation: You will need the 3" of wood (1.5"+1.5") around the sides and top edges, in order to attach the wood casing trim work's edges. With only 1.5" of lumber, there will not be any wood behind your standard 2.5" wood door casing for a nail to set into.

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Gusaroo

Thx, I didn't even think of the trim. Thats good info.

bjbatlanta

And two studs nailed together have much less chance of twisting/warping somewhere down the line and causing problems with doors opening and closing properly. The few dollars saved is hardly worth it....

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DIYJIMBONL

You dont actually have to use jack studs though. Just double up two main studs then frame the door opening down.

bjbatlanta

Yeah, but it only takes a few more minutes to do it correctly.........you have to frame some sort of header anyway. Put your jack studs in, double 2"x4"s on top of them, "cripple" studs between the top plate and double 2"x4"s, and you're done.

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DIYJIMBONL

The way I described is correct. There are several correct ways to frame a door opening. Pros and Cons to both. The way i described there is less chance of twisting because two main studs are nailed togetther and to the top plate. The way you describe there is only one stud nailed to the top plate.

bjbatlanta

The way you described is not correct for any load bearing application. In 35 years in the trades, I have never seen a door framed the way you described in new construction. All use jack studs whether in a load bearing or non load bearing wall. The method I described with a header and cripple studs above gives solid, double stud framing to the top plate. Your method will suffice for non load bearing.

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AtlanticWBConst.

Before things get too heated...the original post was pertaining to non-load-bearing walls/partition walls.

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bjbatlanta

Understood Atlantic, and no offense meant DIYJIM. My idea of "correct" and his differ....

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skymaster

Hold up here folks!!!!!! What is this stealing MY studS
Jack

DIYJIMBONL

Exactly!

bjbatlanta

Your method will suffice for non load bearing.[/quote]
I said his method would work. No harm, no foul.

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mfleming

FYI For the time it takes to get on your computer and enter your question in the chat forum putting in a king and jack stud and proper header would be done.

Fixing it after the fact becomes a pain in the a$$ (from own experience)

Marvin Gardens

Do it right. There is so little to be saved by skipping a few boards that it isn't even worth considering.

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