How to Lay Out a Wooden Frame Wall

After the foundation, walls are a house's most important structural element. Walls enclose living space, partition interior space, conceal wires and pipes and support the floors and roof above them. Framing a wooden wall is not difficult, but as with any construction project, proper planning and layout are essential to success.

Tape measure
Carpenter's pencil
Hammer or nail gun
Framing nails
2-by-4 lumber

Instructions

- 1
  Clear your work area and lay out a 2-by-4. Beginning at either end, mark the plank (soleplate) at 16-inch intervals.
- 2
  Lay a 2-by-4 (stud) at each mark. Turn the boards onto the 2-inch side.
- 3
  Hold the soleplate against the bottom of the fist stud so that the outer edges are flush. Drive two nails through the soleplate and into the stud. Repeat at each 16-inch mark.
- 4
  Lie another plank (top plate) perpendicular to the studs at the other end. Drive two nails through the top plate and into each stud. Lay another plank atop the top plate and nail it in place to complete the wall section.

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