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Building elements

Top and bottom plate

The top and bottom plates are the horizontal timbers at the head and foot of a wall frame that the studs are fixed between.

Also known as top plate, bottom plate, sole plate, head binder, wall plate, sill plate

The bottom (sole) plate sits on the floor or foundation and the top plate runs along the head of the wall; the studs are nailed between them at regular centres. The plates set the wall’s length and straightness, spread loads into the floor, and give a fixing for the floor or roof above.

Many designs add a second top plate, lapped at corners and junctions, to tie walls together and to support joists or trusses that do not land directly over a stud.

Related terms
StudA stud is one of the vertical members that make up the frame of a wall panel. Framing stationA framing station is the machine that assembles studs, plates and noggins into a wall frame and nails them together. Multi-studA multi-stud is two or more studs fixed together into one member, used at corners, wall junctions, openings and point loads.
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