Widening entry door - temporary support

benjamincall

My entry door doesn't presently have a header over it, but I'm widening the opening to accommodate a 36" door. I'm afraid of bowing the double top plate as I remove the existing door frame

I've seen people build temporary walls next to load-bearing walls when they widen an exterior rough opening or replace an exterior door header. What support does a temporary wall provide when I have a simple stick-framed roof? No significant downward force is being exerted on my 19' ceiling joists, which are comprised of 2x4s lapped in the middle of the span (without any support). I can understand why someone would support the rafters somehow, but I don't know how to accomplish this task without ripping out the finished ceiling and damaging the finished floor.

Any ideas?

kwikfishron

I don’t think you have anything to worry about but if you’re widening the opening you could install the kings on either side of the old frame, remove the frame and then tap the kings over into there final position.

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benjamincall

I guess if the top plate isn't bowing now, I shouldn't have to worry about a couple of days with a slightly wider doorway.