The Various Benefits Of Framing With Steel Studs
Tuesday, January 17th, 2012We have heard a number of stories through the years of the advantages in framing with steel as opposed to wood studs. On one occasion I even read you could build a whole house with the amount of recycled steel from a huge automobile like a Cadillac. I find this difficult to believe unless you’re building a very small house.
The best for framing with metal studs is that they are extremely straight. I have built non bearing partition walls using 12 foot 3 1/2 inch wide steel studs and following the drywall you are able to lay an eight ft . level to check it for straightness in the walls with amazing results.
If you use 3 1/2 inch wide metal studs along with 5/8 inch drywall you will get an extremely sturdy and durable wall. Framing with steel studs is normal in office building work or even upgrading. Most of the metal stud framing is performed through the drywall building contractors.
Steel studs and termites will not mix. You will never have to worry about these kinds of tiny buggers or other un-invited house insects damaging your walls.
Over time I have heard stories that steel framed buildings tend to be earthquake and fire proof. They could be much more immune to fire than wood although remember when steel is hot enough it’s going to bend and twist making it unusable.
Whenever I hear folks speaking about a fire resistant building constructed with metal framing components my very first thought is all of the many other materials used in building the house which are not fire resistant. Do not get a false impression when purchasing a house framed with metal studs and think it is 100% fire resistant.
In terms of steel framed houses being earth-quake proof this is another story. I must say i can’t comment too much on earthquake damage to a steel building. The issue with earthquakes is they seem to create fires. And so even if your building does survive an earth quake it would get destroyed by the fire in the location.
I’ve framed far more wood homes than metal houses over the years and my steel stud construction is restricted to nonbearing partition walls usually located in office buildings. I enjoy framing with metal because of its light-weight and simple construction.
I still like framing with wood. There’s something about what framing which i have always cherished and always will.
Matthiew Kurgen is a professional writer and an expert on metal studs and related topics.