Abstract: A portal frame is disclosed for use around portals in, for example, a light-framed construction. The portal frame includes a pair of vertically-oriented shearwalls, and a header extending between and connected to the shearwalls. The portal frame may be used around a variety of portals formed in a construction, including for example doors, garage doors and windows. By forming a portal frame using a pair of shearwalls connected to a header, the portal frame in embodiments of the present invention is able to effectively reduce the loads exerted on a foundation by the shearwalls in comparison to a shearwall acting alone (i.e., one that is not part of a portal frame).