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Building elements

Rough opening

A rough opening is the framed hole in a wall that a window or door is later fitted into, sized slightly larger than the unit itself.

Also known as rough openings, window opening, door opening, framed opening, RO

A rough opening is made up of the header across the top, a sill across the bottom for windows, and trimmer and king studs down each side. It is built slightly larger than the window or door frame so the unit can be shimmed plumb and sealed.

Openings are the most detailed part of a wall frame: many short pieces, tight tolerances and a different layout for every window size. Getting their position and size right matters, because an opening built out of place is expensive to correct once the wall is closed.

Related terms
HeaderA header is the horizontal member that spans the top of a door or window opening in a framed wall and carries the load from above around the opening. Wall panelA wall panel is a prefabricated section of wall: a timber or steel frame, often already fitted with sheathing, insulation, windows and services. It is built in a factory and assembled on site. StudA stud is one of the vertical members that make up the frame of a wall panel.
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