How to Frame a Round Room

Measure the diameter of the round room based on your living area needs and available interior space.

Lay out 4-by-8-foot, 1/2-inch-thick plywood sheets into a square at least as large as the diameter of the room. For example, if the round room is 16 feet in diameter, lay out two rows of four plywood sheets to create a 16-by-16-foot square.

Use a measuring tape to find the center of the plywood layout. Mark the center with chalk to serve as the center of the room pattern. Tie a string around a piece of chalk, and measure the string to half the diameter of the room. Wrap a piece of tape around the string at this measurement.

Have a partner hold the taped section of the string at the center mark. Stretch out the string and draw a circle around the center mark on the plywood, using the string as a compass. Release the string and wrap another piece of tape 4 inches from the first piece. Repeat the process, but this time have the partner hold the second piece of tape at the center mark and draw a second circle. This provides the outline for the soleplate of the wall.

Cut the sections of plywood along the inner and outer outlines with a jigsaw to form the soleplate of the wall frame. Number the sections as you cut so you assemble them in the correct configuration. Repeat the process of laying out plywood sheets. Mark the inner and outer outline and cut along the outlines to form the top plate of the wall frame.

Assemble the soleplate sections in the desired location of the round room. Use a stud finder to locate the floor joists beneath the subfloor. Use a drill equipped with a screwdriver bit to drive 4-inch wood screws through the soleplate sections into the subfloor and floor joists. Repeat this process to attach the top plate sections to the ceiling and ceiling joists, directly above the soleplate.

Measure the distance between the soleplate and the top plate. Cut sections of 2-by-4-inch pressure-treated lumber to this measurement with a circular saw to form the wall studs. You need one stud for each 16 inches of wall length around the circumference of the room.

Mark the position and width of the doorway on the soleplate and top plate. The doorway should be at least 36 inches wide to facilitate moving furniture and other objects into the finished room. Stand one stud at each side of the doorway location, and check the studs with a carpenter's level to ensure that they are vertical. Drive 4-inch wood screws through the studs and into the top plate and soleplate.

Stand additional studs between the top and base plates at 16-inch intervals around the circumference of the room. Attach the studs to the soleplate and top plate with 4-inch wood screws driven at 45-degree angles.

Cut a section of 2-by-4-inch lumber to the width of the door to form the door header. Place the header between the door studs 7 feet from the floor, and check the header with a carpenter's level. Drive 4-inch wood screws through the door studs into the ends of the header.

Measure the distance between the top plate and the top of the header. Cut two sections of 2-by-4-inch pressure-treated lumber to this measurement. Stand the sections between the header and top plate 12 inches from each door stud. Attach these sections to the top plate with 4-inch wood screws, and drive additional 4-inch wood screws through the header into the ends of these sections.