Advantages of Framing With Steel Studs
Wednesday, March 21st, 2012We’ve heard a number of stories through the years of the advantages in framing with steel as opposed to wood studs. Once I even heard you could build an entire house with the volume of reused metal from a large automobile like a Cadillac. I find this difficult to believe unless you happen to be constructing a very small home.
The best for framing with steel studs is they are extremely straight. I have constructed non bearing partition walls using 12 foot 3 1/2 in . wide metal studs and following the drywall you can lay an 8 foot level to check it for straightness in the walls with awesome outcomes.
If you utilize 3 1/2 inch wide metal studs along with 5/8 inch drywall you’ll get an exceptionally robust and sturdy wall. Framing with metal studs is typical in office renovations or remodeling. A lot of the metal stud framing is done through the drywall building contractors.
Metal studs and termites do not mix. You may never need to bother about these little buggers as well as other un-invited house insects harming your walls.
Over time I have heard reports that steel framed structures are usually earthquake and also fire proof. They may be more immune to fire than wood but bear in mind when steel is hot enough it is going to bend and warp which makes it unusable.
When I hear folks speaking about a fireproof building built with metal framing parts my first thought is all of the many other materials utilized in building the house that are not fire resistant. Don’t get a false illusion when buying a building framed with metal studs and believe it is 100% fire proof.
In terms of steel framed houses being earth-quake proof this is another story. I actually cannot comment too much about earthquake destruction of a steel building. The issue with earthquakes is that they seem to produce fires. So even if your building really does survive an earth quake it may get destroyed by a fire in the area.
I’ve framed far more wood houses than steel houses in the past and my steel stud construction is restricted to nonbearing partition walls generally found in office buildings. I really like framing with steel due to the light weight as well as ease of construction.
I still love framing with solid wood. There is something about what framing that i have always cherished and always will.
Matthiew Kurgen is a professional writer and an expert on metal studs and related topics.