How to Attach a Plank to a Frame Wall

Mark a position on the frame wall about an inch from the floor onto the soleplate, the baseboard of the frame running along the floor. Use chalk to mark. Use multiple markings at the point of every other wall stud. A tape measure ensures accurate measurements. Run a chalk line along the soleplate over the markings, pull away the line slightly and release it to snap against the soleplate, leaving a straight line across its length as a guide.

Place the first tongue-and-groove plank onto the frame with the bottom of the board (the edge containing the groove) along the guideline. Nail the plank to the frame, using the framing nailer to place nails at each wall stud along the bottom of the tongue at the top of the plank. If you need more than one plank in each row, cut the right edge of the plank at a 22 1/2-degree angle, using a chop saw to conceal the seams between boards. You’ll want the right edge of adjoining planks angled downward and the left angled upward to overlap one another. Begin placing planks from left to right on the row.

Make the cut in the next plank of the row and place it overlapping the edge of the first plank. Nail the plank in place and continue along the row until complete. Cut the board for the end piece, if needed, using the circular saw. Use the level to maintain the level of the boards with one another by checking each before nailing into place.

Cut the first plank of the second row so the end of the plank is centered on a stud but not lined up with a seam of any of the first row boards. Stagger the seams between rows to further conceal the seams between planks. Place the groove along the bottom of the plank over the tongue along the top of the previous row’s plank to lock the two rows together. Nail the second row in place, using the same seam cuts as the first.

Continue up the wall placing each row until you complete the plank coverage. Mark outlet locations onto the plank by measuring the position of the outlets and transferring the measurements over to the overlapping plank. Cut out the measured positions with a jigsaw before nailing the plank into place.