Phillips conventional metal studs are “C” shaped metal studs fabricated from galvanized steel. The standard widths for drywall metal studs are 1-5/8″ (162S125), 2-1/2″ (250S125), 3-5/8″ (362S125), 4″ (400S125), and 6″ (600S125). Standard lengths are 10′, 12′ and 14′. Other lengths available upon request. Conventional metal studs are available in 25, 22, 20, 18, and 16 gauge steel for your convenience (1-5/8″ available in 20, 22 and 25 gauge only). Structural studs are also available. Show
Structural steel studs have invaluable uses in commercial and residential construction projects. However, the variety of thicknesses, flange sizes, and types of steel can make it hard to tell which type of steel studs should be used for which purpose. And are steel studs better than wood studs? Let’s clear up some of the confusion around the general term “steel” and nail down what exactly structural steel studs can do. Then you can best decide between steel studs vs. wood studs for your next project. What is a Structural Steel Stud?Structural steel studs are used for conforming to environmental loads (snow, earthquake, wind, dead, and live). They have thicker galvanizing and wider flange sizes than light gauge metal studs. The thickness of structural steel studs is measured in Mils. The thicker the Mil., the stronger the stud. Designation Thickness for Structural Steel Studs in Mils.
Two Types of Structural Steel“Steel” is a flexible term used to describe all sorts of metal Jobsite material. But in commercial construction, two types of steel are used: cold-formed steel and structural steel. When people talk about structural metal studs and steel framing studs, they often refer to cold-formed steel. The two types of steel are manufactured differently and thus have vastly different uses. Structural SteelStructural steel refers to steel beams that are hot-rolled, meaning they are cast while the steel is molten hot. Structural materials are thicker, heavier, and stronger than cold-formed steel (or CFS) and are used almost exclusively in large-scale load-bearing applications. Structural steel may be used as the load-bearing frame for bridges, industrial buildings, and large commercial projects. Cold-Formed Steel StudsCold-formed steel refers to the structural steel studs that come to mind when most people think of steel studs. Like traditional wood studs, these thin steel products frame floors, walls, and ceilings. Cold-formed steel, unlike structural steel, is produced at room temperatures by guiding metal through rollers and stamping them into shape. CFS products are also called structural steel studs. Standard thicknesses range from 12 gauge to 18 gauge material and are typically pressed into either C or Z-shaped studs or tracks. Numerous top brands such as Marino, Clark Dietrich, and Cemco produce nearly identical products with almost identical technical specifications. Clearing Up Any Confusion on Steel StudsNot only are both steel components used in structural applications, but they’re also frequently used on the same project. The easiest way to differentiate them is by size and use. Structural steel is hot-rolled and only used in large, load-bearing applications. CFS is produced cold and is mostly used for steel stud drywall framing of interior walls and ceilings, exterior in-fill framing, some load-bearing applications, or a CFMF floor joist system. Using Structural Steel StudsDifferentiating between structural framing and cold-formed steel framing only opens up the vast array of uses for structural metal studs on commercial sites. If you have any experience browsing these studs, then you know there is a wide range of CFS studs out there in a variety of sizes, thicknesses, flange sizes, strength, and gauges. The combination of these identifiers will determine where studs will be used. Some CFS studs will be used for axial load-bearing walls, while others will be used for floor joist assemblies. The easiest way to tell which size steel stud works best for an application is by gauge and flange size. As flange sizes change, thicknesses and vertical strengths change as well. Five Flange Sizes of Cold-Formed Steel Studs1 ⅜”The 1 ⅜” flange size comes with a ⅜” return (the lip on the C-shape of the stud). These lightweight structural members sometimes support exterior walls and provide required wind loads. Examples of studs at this size are EQ studs used for drywalling. 1 ⅝”Many consider the 1 5/8″ steel stud to be the industry standard for exterior framing, and are the most common size of CFMF studs. These studs come with a ½” return and are more commonly used in non-structural metal framing like curtain walls. However, these studs have sufficient vertical strength for structural metal-framing applications like floor joist assemblies. 2”The 2” flange studs with a ⅝” return have a wider surface, making them best suited for sheathing materials. These studs are also often used in axial load-bearing walls. 2 ½”2 1/2” flange studs come with a ⅝” return and have an officially wide flange. Studs of this size are best for floor joist assemblies of heavy load-bearing applications. 3”3” flanged studs are used in the heaviest load-bearing applications. They are probably the least common, most expensive, and usually the heaviest to install, but are nonetheless an invaluable piece of structural metal framing. As you can see, the flange size can sometimes be almost as wide as the stud itself. Wide stud flanges increase the strength of the stud by a huge amount.Identifying Steel StudsSpotting the difference between sizes and thickness of steel stud by eye can be difficult. Thankfully, manufacturers like Clark Dietrich are required to have printed codes on each stud that label the product by width, flange width, thickness, and steel strength. On top of the printed labels, steel studs and track should have a specific color on the ends to differentiate the thickness. There are many colors, from blue as the thickest to black at the thinnest. Where Structural Steel Studs Are Used in Construction
Adhering to GuidelinesThis can be said of any construction project from at-home DIY to large-scale commercial: adhering to guidelines is of the utmost importance. When remodeling a private home, there is likely some leeway on what size wood studs or framing system you can use and whether they need to have a specific strength quality. However, on commercial projects with cold-formed steel, adhering to building codes is of the utmost importance. The above guide to studs by flange size helps to differentiate which types of structural stud should be used, but the final word should always be your local building code, engineer of record, and project architect. While 1 ⅝” studs are the industry standard, make sure to check the project plans and specifications. Different areas are subject to varying levels of seismic activity and wind loads. Depending on design wind pressures, they may require different minimum flange widths for support and strength. The Steel Stud Manufacturer’s Association (or SSMA) has technical guides for metal studs that provide all the information necessary to ensure your commercial site remains up to code, and the proper ASTM is followed. Typical commercial construction project using interior steel studs.Why Choose Steel Over WoodWhile commercial codes may require them, steel studs have many advantages in a variety of applications. Overall, steel is a more sustainable building material than wood and is often cheaper. Steel provides enough flexibility and strength to withstand a variety of conditions. Steel studs are stackable, which saves space, and are delivered pre-drilled with holes for plumbing and electrical installations. EQ studs prevent fewer drywall nail pops since drywall is fastened to steel with screws. Overall, structural steel studs have a wide variety of uses and many advantages, from less waste to increased strength. What is a Demising Wall? READ more here – What Is A Demising Wall? Steel studs Vs. wood studs: Which is the Better Choice?Wall studs, the vertical pieces of wood or metal that function as framing elements in buildings by supporting exterior walls, interior walls, basement walls, floors, and the roof, are fundamental components of construction. They ultimately hold everything in place – windows, doors, interior finish, exterior siding, roof trusses, insulation, and utilities – helping give shape to a building. An element as important as a wall stud certainly deserves consideration. Let’s look at the difference between steel studs Vs. wood studs, why one is used instead of the other in construction, and the benefits and drawbacks of each. Steel Studs Vs Wood Studs – The BasicsWhether using traditional wood studs or steel studs, they are placed perpendicular to the interior wall to provide strength while creating the space needed for pipes, wires, and insulation. Wall studs are positioned between two horizontal members called top and bottom plates, or top and bottom track. Studs are nailed or screwed to the top and bottom ends of the studs to create the wall frame. Typically placed 16” to 24” apart, studs make load-bearing walls of the structure and support the roof. There are two main types of studs for all practical purposes: wood studs and steel studs. Until recently, if you were shopping for steel studs at a home improvement center for residential buildings, they weren’t that easy to find. The primary considerations when framing interior walls are strength, durability, overall quality, and ease of use. Most houses and small apartment buildings are built with wooden studs, whereas most commercial structures and buildings use steel studs. The question is, why? Check out this 8-story apartment building in Milwaukee, WI. It was erected in 14 weeks using structural cold-formed steel stud framing.Benefits of Steel StudsSteel stud framing members you find in home improvement centers are available in standard sizes of 2 ½” to 14.” Non-load bearing studs are made from 20 and 25-gauge steel; they are durable, fire-resistant, and not vulnerable to rotting or termite infestation. Because they must be installed with screws instead of nails, they have a more stable connection, making them better to withstand tornadoes and earthquakes. And if you make a mistake in spacing, all you have to do is unscrew them. Finally, the scrap is recyclable. Here are a few more benefits of steel studs:
Benefits of Wood StudsTraditional wood studs can be less expensive than steel studs. They are available at most building supply stores and big-box retailers, in two dimensions: 2” x 4” and 2” x 6,” with lengths ranging between 8” and 16.’ They are usually made of spruce or Douglas fir. There are a few important factors and advantages to using wood studs for your construction project:
When deciding between wood studs and steel studs, you will need to factor in the climate in which the construction project is located because humidity and moisture can cause the studs to rot. A stack of 2×4 wood studsHow to Decide Whether Wood or Steel Studs Are the Right Choice for your ProjectStill can’t decide between wood and metal studs for your wall system? Here is a list of the drawbacks of each type of building material that may clarify which building material is appropriate for you. Wood Stud ConsAmong the biggest complaints about using wood studs and wood framing is the waste factor: the studs must be sorted when you receive them, and you will have to discard any individual pieces that are knotted, warped, or cracked. The waste factor can be as high as 20%. Here are some other factors that make wood studs less desirable than steel studs:
Steel Stud ConsSteel studs certainly have their fans due to their lightweight, convenience, and durability. However, one of the biggest downsides of steel studs and metal framing is that a homeowner can’t hammer a nail into it to hang a picture. In addition, many contractors advise against mounting anything heavy, such as a medicine cabinet, to it because it cannot sustain the weight. However, this problem can be solved by adding wood blocking in strategic areas. What gauge studs are considered structural framing?There is no top-end thickness for studs meeting ASTM C645. However, thicknesses greater than 30 mil are typically considered to be structural members.
What gauge are non load bearing steel studs?Most contractors are familiar with the light-gauge steel studs and track you can buy at lumberyards and drywall supply houses. These studs are usually 25-gauge steel with 1 1/4-inch flanges and are intended for non- load-bearing applications such as partition walls.
What are the 3 types of steel studs?Here are some examples of metal stud sizes as it relates to the thickness: 26 gauge (0.551 mils) 24 gauge (0.701 mils) 22 gauge (0.853 mils)
Can metal studs support weight?A metal-framed stud system is certainly strong enough to hold a weight such as a floating vanity or work surface.
|