How to Build a Header to Lower a Closet

A doorless closet can often look messy. 

A header is a board or beam that runs above an open span in wall framing.  The header is used to carry the load of the upper floor or roof across the span.  Most closets are framed so that their doorway opening is consistent with other doors in the home.  In some cases a particular builder may have left the closet open from floor to ceiling.  Some people who buy a home with this type of closet prefer to add closet doors to hide their belongings.  To add a door you must first add a doorway and header.  This lowers the closet opening. 

1

Place plastic sheeting over the floor in your doorway.  Remove the baseboard on the inside edge of the doorway on both sides.  Use a pry bar and claw hammer.  If you have carpet, cut away a rectangle 1 1/2 inches wide by 3 1/2 inches long with the length centered on the wall thickness.  Remove the padding and any tack strip in the same small area.  Repeat for the second side. 

2

Measure the width of the opening.  Cut a two-by-four to this length.  Place the board with the flat side against the ceiling centered in the wall opening.  Nail the board to the ceiling plate that is hidden under the ceiling drywall.  Use framing nails, one every 8 inches. 

3

Cut two pieces of 2-by-4-inch board 82 5/8 inches if you have exposed subfloor beneath your carpet.  Cut to 82 inches even if you have hardwood floors.  These boards are jack studs, which are used to support your header.  Place one jack stud vertical with the flat side toward the inside of your doorway opening and centered.  Check for level.  Use wood shims between the existing drywall and the new board to make the stud level.  Nail the stud to the hidden stud behind the drywall using a framing nail at every shim and every 8 to 12 inches. 

4

Place your second jack stud opposite on the second door opening.  Measure between the inside faces of your jack studs.  If you intend to hang a prehung door in your opening, determine what size you will need for the correct width of rough opening.  Door manufacturers provide online specifications sheets for their doors.  These sheets list the rough openings of each door size.  If your current jack stud placement is too wide, remove additional carpet and padding and add scrap lumber between the jack stud and the hidden stud behind your drywall to reach the correct rough-in width.  Use wood shims to keep the jack stud straight and nail the jack stud to the blocking or to the hidden stud. 

5

Cut two pieces of 2-by-6-inch board and a piece of 1/2-inch plywood of the same size, using your width measurement.  Sandwich the plywood between the boards and nail them together to form a header.  Place the header on top of the jack studs and toenail the header into the hidden wall studs using at least four nails on each end.  The 2-by-6-inch boards will lie on their narrow sides. 

6

Measure between the header and the underside of your ceiling board.  Cut a two-by-four for every 16 inches of the header length.  Position these boards every 16 inches on center, vertical and straight.  Toenail the cripple studs into place using two framing nails on each end of the boards.  The short studs above a header are called cripple studs. 

Things You Will Need

Plastic sheeting

Tape measure

Pry bar

Claw hammer

Wood shims

Level

2-by-4-inch board

2-by-6-inch board

1/2-inch plywood

Table saw

Framing nail gun

Tip

Typically, the jack stud will rest on a bottom plate, but this will be missing in your retrofit.  So long as the jack stud is well supported by subflooring or hardwood flooring, this should not matter. 

About the Author

My interests vary from continuous home improvement projects (I'm addicted) to assisting my son in designing theater costumes.  I also travel to readings and for fun, ride a bicycle, garden, enjoy live performances in both theater and music, attend art openings, try out new restaurants, read books, do a lot of research, play with my animals and everything in between.  I try to live a full but lower stressed life.  I keep up with friends and family and most of all, I write.  I am currently working on a play based in Chinese myth which is scheduled to be presented next year.  I'm also working on upper degrees which puts me back at Berkeley.