Light Gauge Metal Frames

What is light gauge metal framing?

Light gauge metal framing is G-60 galvanized (a rust inhibitor), carbon grade steel. Light gauge metal steel is made partially from recycled metal products, so it is environmentally friendly. The raw galvanized sheet steel is press-rolled to form studs, joists and track, from which all of the typical construction members such as jamb studs, headers, trusses, and floor joists can be constructed. Track is typically “U” shaped and is used in lieu of bottom and top plates in wood construction. Studs and joists are “C” shaped for added strength and replace traditional dimensional lumber in the walls, floors, and trusses. Sheet steel is “gauged” which is an indication of its thickness and corresponds directly to the strength of the framing member - the thicker the steel, the stronger the member. Sheet steel is also graded for compression. Compression is an indication of hardness which also correlates to strength. Light gauge metal framing members can be made stronger while remaining the same size. Try asking a lumber dealer for a “stronger” 2 x 4!

Why choose metal framing?

Light gauge metal framing provides quality and consistency not found in dimensional lumber. You do not have to sort through a pile of studs to find the straightest ones; they are all straight by design. Studs and track are machined to tolerances of 1/8” in 10’0” – and they are all the same. Galvanized steel is not subject to the same deteriorating effects of exposure and moisture as wood studs. Steel will not absorb water during the construction process, cannot be shipped to the site “green”, and is not going to warp or twist as it ages. Steel that is made straight and installed straight will stay straight – virtually forever.

Due to the high strength of steel and the engineering behind stud and joist design, light gauge metal framing members can achieve spans and loads unmatched by dimensional and engineered lumber. Imagine a basement with no posts or beams to hinder your build-out plans! Steel joists are capable of clear spans up to 33’ while still meeting the live load and dead load criteria for typical home construction.
Steel studs and joists are “pre-punched” 2’0” to allow access for electrical wires, phone lines, cable wires, and plumbing piping. No more coring or boring into wood studs! Steel floor joists can also be produced with holes large enough to accommodate drain lines and certain HVAC ducting. All of the mechanical trades can install their materials within the floor joists instead of hanging underneath. 9’0” basement floor to joist measurements are possible without adding to the excavated depth or first floor elevation.

Any other advantages?

Light gauge metal framing is assembled with screws or by welding. Framing members cannot become loose by twisting or warping and breaking the nailed connection. Not only will the steel not twist or warp – the framing members are not nailed together. Interior and exterior cladding is also applied by screw fastening so your interior finishes are not subject to “nail pops”. Sub-flooring is glued and screwed to the floor joists making annoying floor squeaks a thing of the past! Perhaps most importantly, steel trusses will not warp over time due to drying, age or snow loads. You will never hear “truss uplift” in steel framing. Your ceilings will remain flat and your ceiling/wall joints will not crack due to a bad batch of wood trusses.

Additionally, steel is non-allergenic and will not promote the spread of mold due to moisture. If air quality is a concern for your family, you owe it to them to explore steel framing.

Steel is also impervious to the damage caused by insects or other vermin.

Why haven’t I seen many steel framed homes?

Light gauge metal framing is somewhat new to the residential construction industry. Though steel homes have been produced for over 50 years, only during the early 1990’s did the steel industry begin to target residential construction. Residential steel framing systems are gaining large market shares in the Southeast, Southwest, West Coast, Eastern Midwest and Canada. Current estimates indicate that steel framing systems had a 23% market share of the 1.6 million new home starts in 2002. That is almost 400,000 steel homes last year alone!

For the traditional wood builder, steel framing systems do require a re-education of the construction process, the added cost of new tools and equipment, and until recently wood was still cheaper than steel. It has not been easy for the wood builder to convert to steel. The market is changing. In construction, 16” o.c. is still 16” o.c. Many manufactured truss companies are beginning to offer steel trusses. The tool and equipment technology is catching up with the wood industry. And, due to the rise in lumber pricing, the cost of the steel framing members can now actually be cheaper than dimensional lumber costs.