The story pole is typically made from what material?

• A. A 2 x 4 stud.
• B. A 1 x 2 strip.
• C. A steel rod.
• D. A plywood plank.

Answer: (A)

A long, straight, easy-to-mark piece of lumber serves as the reference for transferring elevations, so it needs to be rigid enough to stay true over its length and simple to annotate with pencil marks. A 2-by-4 stud fits this perfectly. It’s a standard framing member, typically straight and sturdy, and it’s light enough to handle on the job. You can mark each story height directly on the edge for quick reference as you work, and its size is widely available and economical on site.

Plywood planks can warp or bow over time, making measurements unreliable. A steel rod is very rigid but heavy and not convenient for marking measurements with a pencil. A narrow strip like a 1-by-2 can flex or sag and doesn’t provide the stability needed for long measurements. So the typical story pole uses a 2-by-4 stud.