What is a King Stud?

A king stud is a specialized type of stud which is used in post and beam construction to support an opening such as a door or window. Many building codes specifically require the use of king studs to make openings sturdier, and to increase overall structural stability. Even in regions where the use of king studs is not required, many contractors like to use them anyway, to improve the quality and durability of their projects. In post and beam construction, a structure is framed with a series of studs spaced at identical intervals. The studs run from the floor to the ceiling, distributing the weight of the building and supporting it as evenly as possible. The beams of the roof and flooring are similarly spaced for optimum weight distribution. The obvious drawback of post and beam construction is that the spacing of the studs usually does not leave enough room for door and window openings. While one could simply omit studs for a door or window, this could create a weak point in the ...  more