How to Frame a Wall

Knowing how to frame a wall starts with measuring where the plates will go. The plates are the base pieces of wood that serve as anchors for the rest of the wall frame. The top plates are at the ceiling and the sole plates, also called sill plates, are on the floor. Use a tape measure to mark the locations of the plates.

• Measure from a corner of the room and mark where the new wall will meet the existing wall. 
• Measure from the opposite corner and lay out the other end of the new wall.  
• If the joists are perpendicular to the wall, mark each one where the top plate will intersect with them. This will ensure that that nails go into the joists, not just the ceiling covering.

To lay out the sole or floor plates of the new wall, drive a nail into the ceiling close to one end of the chalk line.

• Hang a plumb bob from the nail and mark the floor where it points.  
• Repeat at the other end of the ceiling chalk line. Snap a chalk line between the marks to lay out one edge of the sole plate.  
• Mark an "X" to the side of the line where the plate will be positioned. 

Tip: If you're nailing into concrete, fasten the wall with construction adhesive and concrete nails. 

Determine the placement of the wall studs. The wall studs will support the frame of the new wall.

• Set the top and sole plates side by side on the floor. 
• Starting at one end, measure and mark the plates every 16 inches.  
• Then, with a combination square and a pencil, extend the lines across the plates.  
• Draw an "X" at the end of each plate and to the right side of the line on each plate to mark the stud locations. 

Calculate the length of the wall studs.

• Determine the stud length by measuring the distance between the ceiling and the floor at several places.  
• Take the shortest distance and subtract 3 3/4 inches to allow for the combined thicknesses of the top and sole plates. This also allows for the clearance you'll need to tilt the wall into place. 

Once you have all your measurements, it's time to cut the wood stud pieces to create the wall frame. Most studs will have at least a slight bend or bow in one direction. This is called "crowning." Look down the length of each stud to determine which is the crown side and lay out the wall with all of the crowns pointed up. This will make the wall easier to assemble, since it won't rock while nailing. It will also make for a smoother wall surface because alternating crowns and cups (the opposite edge from a crown) will create a wavy surface in wall coverings.

• Wear safety goggles whenever using a circular saw or other power tools. 
• Cut the studs to length with a circular saw or hand saw. 
• Lay the bottom plate and the first stud on edge and nail them together with 16d nails.  
• If the first stud (or any other stud) is warped, make sure the crown faces up. This will allow you to nail the ends without the stud rocking. 

Complete the frame by nailing the wood studs to the sole plate. Blocking refers to pieces of wood that run perpendicular to the wall, between the upright studs. This blocking serves two purposes, it helps slow fires by blocking its path and it helps add rigidity to the wall. Blocking should be approximately 48 inches from the floor.

A good practice is to add additional blocking inside the wall in places where you know things will be hung. For example, if the wall is to be part of a home theater, add reinforcement where the TV will be mounted. If it's a utility room, add extra supports for hanging shelves or cabinets. Supports of this type don't have to be limited to additional 2x4's, 3/4-inch plywood can cover a large area and provide a great deal of flexibility for future projects.

• Nail the studs to the sole plate one at a time. Once all the studs are attached to the bottom plate, set the top plate on edge and nail it to the studs at the marks.  
• 2 x 4’s placed between the studs act as firestops in case of a fire inside the wall. Cut them to fit, position them to make nailing easy, then nail them in place. 

Tilt the newly assembled wall frame into place. For a large wall, get someone to help you lift it into position.

• With the studs nailed in place, align the bottom plate with the floor chalk line.  
• Carefully tilt the wall into place and align the top plate with the ceiling chalk line.  
• Fasten the wall into place. Starting at one end of the new wall, shim between the top plate and ceiling, and check the wall for plumb with a level.  
• As you shim and plumb each section of wall, drive 16d nails through the top plate into the framing with a hammer or nail gun. 
• Fasten the bottom plate by driving 16d nails through it into the floor.  
• Nail the end studs to framing in the existing wall.  
• Score the shims with a utility knife and snap them off flush with the plate. 
• Once you have finished wall framing, you can move onto installing insulation and drywall.  

Tip: Wing walls that are only a few feet high and a few feet long can present challenges. You can strengthen one by running the end stud through the floor and bolting it to a joist.