How to Frame House Walls

Framing a wall for your home is easy once a few tricks of the trade are learned. Standard procedures are applied by almost every construction expert that can be incorporated easily by any homeowner. You don't have to be a professional builder in order to build a quality house wall. If you are considering constructing a new building and you need to know the basics of framing a wall, read through the following steps to learn a few simple techniques used by the pros.

Things You'll Need

• Bottom plate 2 top plates Wall studs 16-penny nails 8-penny nails Hammer Contractor pencil Tape measure Framing square Circular saw Fire blocks

Instructions

1. Lay out two wall plates--bottom seal plate and the first top plate. Place one on top of the other and tag them with two 8-penny nails to hold them together while you are doing your wall layout.

2. Mark your layout plates for all the door and window openings, and also mark where each stud will go--16 inches on center.

3. Measure the full height of the wall from the rough floor to the very top plate. Deduct 4 1/2 inches to allow for the top and bottom plates.

4. Count out the amount of studs from your layout, and cut them to size. Use a 7 1/4-inch circular saw. If it is a small wall, you can cut them manually.

5. Pull the plates apart. Spread them out to the approximate height of the studs. Layout the studs between the plates.

6. Nail the studs to the plates using a minimum of two 16-penny nails on each end, making sure they are perpendicular.

7. Tilt your wall up in place. Plumb the wall to make sure it is straight, and secure it. Nail on the second top plate.

8. Snap a level line across the wall at approximately 4 feet so you can insert your fire blocks which will also hold your studs plumb.

Tips & Warnings

• When you are nailing your studs to the top and bottom plates, do not put your nails too close together. Spread the nails apart to prevent your boards from twisting.

• Always wear protective hand, eye and face gear when working with power tools and wood.