ClarkDietrich Rough Opening Systems Set the Standard
For high-performing wall assemblies, rough openings are more than just a detail—they’re a critical junction where design intent meets jobsite execution. Depending upon your perspective on a project—whether focused on tolerances, deflection and fire/sound ratings, or looking for efficiencies in product waste, labor and material costs—they are crucial interfaces that must be considered.
Over the past two decades, innovation in this space has shifted the conversation from “how do we make it work?” to “how do we make it faster, easier, and more consistent?” ClarkDietrich has been at the center of that shift with RedHeader PRO™ and RedHeader Lite Rough Opening Systems. These pre-engineered solutions set new benchmarks for speed, precision, and jobsite productivity—all without sacrificing performance.
RedHeader PRO—The Game Changer
When ClarkDietrich introduced the innovative RedHeader RO (Rough Opening) System back in 2007, and its subsequent enhancement—RedHeader PRO™—in 2016, it quickly became a breakthrough in steel stud framing. For years, contractors built box headers on-site—measuring, cutting and assembling multiple header and jamb components with countless fasteners, all while juggling accuracy, material waste, and labor costs. RedHeader PRO eliminated that complexity.
RedHeader PRO replaces the conventional boxed headers for external and internal built-up jambs with a pre-engineered, field-tested solution that delivers on benefits. Namely, better results in half the time, while reducing the amount of material by up to 50%.
Key Advantages for Pros:
- Faster installation—Up to 50% faster than traditional methods. Now, what was a two-person job can be accomplished by one person. Installers can move faster with fewer adjustments, all without sacrificing product performance.
- Material efficiency—Pre-engineered to specified lengths, RedHeader PRO eliminates field cutting, meaning less waste and errors, and fewer sharp edges. Plus, with the elimination of additional studs, tracks and screws required to frame the conventional rough opening, the amount of material used is reduced by up to 50%.
- Consistency—With the jamb and header being the same-sized member, factory engineering ensures the structural performance and consistent, repeatable install results every time.
- Ease of inspection—Clean, uniform assemblies make it simple for inspectors to verify compliance.
Case in point: “The RedHeader System is a nice, neat clean install,” said Mason Sierra, Estimator at Millard Drywall & Acoustical Construction. “It’s fast. We tend to call ClarkDietrich a lot. Their tech support is phenomenal. Having a trusted partner like ClarkDietrich is really helpful.”
RedHeader Lite—Continuing the Legacy
Building on the success of RedHeader PRO, ClarkDietrich introduced RedHeader Lite earlier this year. Maintaining the same engineered precision and ease of installation, RedHeader Lite is optimized for lighter-duty, interior rough openings, specifically where loads and spans do not demand the full capacity specifications of RedHeader PRO.
The streamlined product line offers lighter-gauge, engineered header components designed for standard interior door and window openings—meeting design intent without the over-specification of heavier component solutions.
Proven Results in the Field
Contractors often cite installation speed and predictability as the most valuable qualities of the RedHeader systems. On a three-story, municipal building project, where ClarkDietrich solutions were specified for the building’s interior and exterior framing, the install crew was able to cut installation time of headers by using RedHeader PRO rather than constructing box headers on-site.
“When my name and reputation are on the line, I want to make sure that we are working with the best products on the market,” said Jonathan Lamb, project manager at Millard Drywall. “And I feel like we do with ClarkDietrich.”
From busy airports to civic buildings and more, RedHeader systems have been credited with:
- Installation efficiency—The installation process is simply faster when compared to traditional systems. RedHeader RO systems eliminate capped members, allowing fasteners to drive through only a single thickness of steel. When RedHeader PRO is used with ClarkDietrich HDSC header brackets, the clips are pre-punched for easy attachment with four screws. Then, simply slide the header into the clip and attach it with four additional fasteners.
What’s more, with the top of the header open, the header and jamb are flush for easy installation of insulation. There’s no need to pre-insulate headers before installation. Additionally, the header stud allows for an easier fit of rigid insulation.
- Reducing crew requirements—With pre-assembled members and the elimination of cutting in the field, a single installer can complete what previously took two—streamlining your workforce and increasing jobsite productivity.
- Minimizing rework—Pre-engineered and pre-assembled components fit as intended, reducing fastening points, time-consuming measurements and other variables in the field that equate to costly adjustments.
- Improving coordination—Faster installs free up schedules for other trades.
- Enhanced cost-effectiveness—Less steel and faster installs lower total installed cost on projects with high repetition, like multi-family and tenant interiors.
When a major renovation at Houston’s Hobby Airport called for efficient, code-compliant framing in a high-traffic environment, the project team turned to ClarkDietrich and RedHeader PRO for its ability to deliver consistent results across hundreds of openings, all while minimizing disruption to an active terminal.
ClarkDietrich’s engineering team worked closely with contractors to optimize material usage and ensure rapid installation. The result: faster schedules, fewer crew members per task and a smoother coordination process with other trades—all critical in a setting where every hour of work impacted the traveling public.
Leading the Framing Conversation
The introduction of RedHeader PRO years ago didn’t just solve a problem—it reset expectations for how rough opening framing should be done. Now, with the addition of RedHeader Lite, ClarkDietrich continues to lead the category.
Industry trends point toward increased use of prefabricated, engineered solutions as labor markets tighten and building codes grow more complex. ClarkDietrich’s strategy—listening to contractors, collaborating with architects, and engineering for efficiency—ensures its products meet the demands of today while anticipating tomorrow’s needs.
Both RedHeader systems are part of an interconnected approach to opening framing that supports:
- Code compliance: Engineered components and documented performance help specifiers and inspectors verify compliance with IBC and relevant standards.
- Engineering support: Span tables, load data, and project-specific guidance.
- Field focus: Products designed around repeatable, low-friction installation.
RedHeader systems create a clear, end-to-end path from design through inspection.
Building Smarter, Faster, and Stronger
ClarkDietrich’s RedHeader PRO and RedHeader Lite RO systems prove that innovation can be both practical and transformative. By replacing outdated, labor-intensive methods with engineered, easy-to-install, labor-saving systems, these products help architects, specifiers and contractors meet tight deadlines without sacrificing quality.
For those tasked with delivering on performance, on budget, and on time, build with the proven solutions from ClarkDietrich.
Learn more here about RedHeader PRO and RedHeader Lite. If you’re unsure of which option to specify, ClarkDietrich’s technical team can review spans, loads, and door frame details to recommend the best configuration for your project.
Ryan Reed, Category Manager at ClarkDietrich, leads the Core Framing category, focusing on product management, marketing, and development. Reed provides new and existing product training for ClarkDietrich’s sales team, and has dedicated more than 17 years to developing relationships with customers, contractors, and architects.
