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Relocating the Front Door

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Bob works with general contractor Charlie Tomaszewski to move the Medford home’s original front door. This will allow them to frame a proper foyer to catch the drafts during cold weather.

Because the house has a balloon frame, they won’t be able to get a king stud in the same way they did when the house was originally framed. The new header for the front door will be constructed from two 2 x 10s sandwiched on a regular piece of one-inch board. It will be supported by two king studs and will provide the full dimension of the studs that were there.

In removing the sheathing, they discover that the home’s original cedar clapboards had been covered, first with cedar shingles, later with man-made shingles. Next, they install new jack studs to support the door header and cut the sheathing to create the new opening. Finally, they move the old door frame into its new location.

 
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