For load-bearing walls and for structural applications like exterior walls, heavy gauge metal studs should be used . However, non-load bearing structures such as partitions, half walls and interior walls can be built with metal studs of a lighter gauge.
Do commercial buildings need metal studs?
In commercial construction, we typically build our interior walls with metal studs. ... For commercial projects, a main reason we use metal studs is because metal is fireproof . While metal studs do not provide a purely nonflammable environment, they do reduce the amount of flammable material.
Can you use wood in commercial framing?
Many commercial buildings that use steel and masonry as their main structural component also use wood for non-load bearing interior framing. ... Engineered wood, trusses, and beams are now available in lengths that span large distances and have excellent load carrying capabilities.
Do builders use metal studs?
For the past 100 years, builders have used high-gauge metal and traditional wood studs to frame load-bearing walls. The cost, ease of construction, availability of skilled labor, and design constraints typically determine whether a builder uses metal or wood studs.
Why are metal studs preferred in commercial applications?
These steel frames come with a variety of benefits, which makes them the best option for a new commercial building. Benefit #1: They are fire and insect-proof . Metal studs won't catch on fire and they are resistant to ants, termites, and other insects that can cause damage to the structure of the building.
How far apart are metal studs in a commercial building?
The stud spacing for typical commercial interiors is one of either 12′′, 16′′, or 24 .” Other things to consider when selecting spacing to use for metal studs in wall construction include impact resistance, the makeup of the wall finish and whether the finish is applied to one side of a wall or both.
Are metal studs cheaper than wood studs?
Cost-effective: While never as cheap as wood, steel studs are now only about 30-percent more expensive than wood studs . Lightweight: Steel studs are lighter to carry and store than wood because they are hollow.
Can I use wood studs in commercial building?
Wood framing is permitted in some aspects of all five . Construction Types III, IV, and V may be framed exclusively with wood, but exterior walls in Types III and IV buildings are required to be fire retardant-treated wood (FRTW).
Are metal studs stronger than wood?
For instance, wood studs are stronger than metal studs , and are able to support more weight without being compromised. They are also longer-lasting and easier to cut as well. On the negative side, wood studs are more expensive than steel and can be harder to install, requiring many different tools.
Can you mix metal and wood studs?
Generally speaking, no, you should not mix metal and wood studs . There's a reason why most materials used for a certain purpose are very uniform and standard. Since each material has a different requirement for its intended purpose, they might collide with each other and end up causing problems.
Are steel studs load bearing?
Heavier gauge metal studs are used in load bearing walls and structural applications such as exterior walls. Lighter gauge metal studs are used in non-load bearing applications such as some interior walls, half-walls, and partitions.
What is the problem with steel framed homes?
Steel Framed Construction is Not Energy Efficient . When compared to most other framing products, steel framing is not energy efficient. In fact, wood has nearly four times the thermal resistance of steel. The reason steel frame buildings are not energy efficient is due to thermal bridging.
Are metal studs better for soundproofing?
Ted White, president of The Soundproofing Co., Bay City, Mich., says yes, compared to wood, metal is more conductive, but insists that metal itself isn't the problem, but rather the assembly technique is. ... “ Steel studs provide higher isolation than their wood counterparts .
Are steel studs stronger?
Steel studs have their pros and cons. Steel studs boast a lot of advantages over their wooden counterparts, but they are weighed down with some downsides. Surprisingly, steel studs aren't as strong as wooden ones , especially the lighter versions that can only be used on interior, non-load-bearing walls.
Can metal studs be used for ceiling?
Steel studs are beneficial for building ceilings because they are straight, light and can be purchased in longer lengths than wood studs. For low clearance areas, they also come in 1 5/8 inch widths. In many applications, installing a steel stud ceiling take less time and effort than it would with wood studs.
Can metal studs support weight?
The axial load, or load weight limit, for metal studs varies widely. An 8-foot, 3-1/2-inch metal stud, for instance, may support over 2,000 pounds , while a 16-foot stud of the same width will support as little as 400 pounds.
