Adding side panels need help

I have been trying to add side panels to my forums for some time now but just can't seem to manage it. After posting a request here I was told that the best way to do it was to add tables in my header and close them in my footer. I did this but as I am not an expert at html I think I have done something wrong because what happens when I upload my header and footer is that the two side panels appear one on top of the other with the forum at the bottom. anybody know how to solve this one. Thanks in anticipation. Queensah

Thanks Scotty32 I shall give that a try and let you know what happens. Queensah