The results of a new engineering feasibility study from the Steel Framing Industry Association (SFIA) suggests that the structural integrity of cold-formed steel could make it a viable framing alternative in the construction of high-rise buildings.
The study commissioned by the Steel Framing Industry Association grew out of the trend toward taller building that is transforming urban skylines that is driven by higher land costs and the gravitation of both young and older residents to urban centers.
“The strength, durability and fire resistance of cold-formed steel has long made it the material of choice for framing mid-rise structures,” said Larry Williams, executive director, SFIA. “With some architects advocating the use of combustible wood in taller mid-rise and even high-rise structures, SFIA decided to undertake a science-based engineering analysis to test the height limits of cold-formed steel construction.”
“What we discovered amazed even us,” Williams continued. “While CFS has been the clear choice for framing buildings up to nine stories, our analysis showed that the structural integrity of cold-formed steel theoretically could enable architects and designers to create CFS-framed buildings as high as 40 stories or more. This far exceeds what has been the conventional wisdom.”
The advantages of cold formed steel framing offer architects, builders and specifiers a range of features and benefits that all contribute to shorter construction times, lower material costs, safer structures, and faster revenue generation. Compared to wood, steel has the exceptional environmental advantage of being highly recycled and infinitely recyclable. Steel is tough and does not rot, split or absorb moisture. And from an aesthetic or architectural viewpoint, steel structures can easily deliver creative design options and excellent value.
“From a broader perspective, this means that architects and builders could well have a safe, cost-effective and alternative to other framing materials for taller structures – as well as greatly expanded opportunities for the CFS industry,” said Pat Ford, technical director, SFIA.
The feasibility analysis was conducted by Pat Ford, PE, who is also principal of the engineering firm Matsen Ford Design, headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with guidance from the SFIA Technical Committee. The results of the study have been presented to industry leadership, including technical committees of the American Iron & Steel Institute. The project has been named Matsen Tower in honor of Ford’s late business partner, John Peter Matsen, who also was a leader in the industry’s technical community.
Matsen Tower is a type R3 apartment tower with 10-foot story heights, 25’-6″ center-to-center spacing for demising walls. Two stairwells are situated at either end of the building, with a four-elevator central core and a central corridor that is typical for this type of building.
The framing system and layout follows conventional load bearing cold-formed steel construction. Studs and joists are restricted to the generic C-shaped studs with web depths of 6 inches and 12 inches found in the SFIA Technical Guide to Cold-Formed Steel Framing Products. Framing members spacing is limited to 24 inch, 16 inch, and 12 inch, and when required repetitive members use a maximum of two studs.
In addition to the cold-formed steel framing system, the basic construction materials include:
• Lightweight EPDM (a durable synthetic rubber roofing membrane) on metal deck roof
• Lightweight 1-1/2” gypsum concrete on structural 0.6 C deck floor
• Lightweight exterior wall finishes of architectural metal, EIFS or finished exterior cement board panels
• Aluminum posted balconies are provided for each unit
Ford noted that because the design varies the spacing from wider in the upper stories to tighter spacing closer to the ground, special detailing was required to ensure proper load distribution where these changes occur, primarily at the 30th story (spacing reduced from 24” to 16”) and at the 25th story (16” to 12”). In both locations, more robust tube elements are required (continuous HSS 6 x 3 x 1/4” and HSS 6 x 4 x 5/16” for these locations, respectively).
Ford also noted that the 40-story building height is not actually the theoretical maximum, but that this project demonstrates what is possible with cold-formed steel when conventional design and generic framing is used and that “cold-formed steel not only meets the demands of today’s mid-rise buildings, but can also be an important part of re-shaping the skyline of cities in the future.”

When it comes to remodeling your home or basement finishing, there are a lot of different types of studs to choose from. But take a trip down to the hardware store, and you’ll find that there are only two main types of studs to choose from: Wood and Metal.Cons of Wooden StudsThere are a couple of drawbacks to consider when thinking about wooden studs and metal studs. Depending on the type of project, you may want to take these factors into consideration when making your choice as well.
The following cons of wooden studs are why so many new home builders are making the switch to steel:
Wood can warp and rot. If exposed to a lot of water or humidity, the wooden studs may be rendered useless. It’s harder to protect them during the wetter months of the year.Wood is more expensive than steel. Wood was considered cheap at one point, and even though some of the softer woods aren’t as expensive as hardwood, the comparison cost between wood and metal studs is significant.Wooden studs can be difficult to install. You’ll need a lot of tools on your belt, such as a table saw, a nailer, and traditional hammers and nails, in order to properly secure those studs in.You can take a look at our basement finishing pricing to get an idea of costs.
Metal Studs: Seriously Superior?The Big Debate Metal Studs vs Wood Studs – Sebring Design BuildStructural metal studs are some of the most commonly seen studs in the hardware store. But are they the most used in actual construction projects? Let’s find out.
What Are Metal Wall Studs?Metal wall studs, which are typically composed of steel, are usually intended for use in basement walls. They can also help design DIY partition walls or other parts of simple metal structures.
Metal framing studs are used to support a non-load-bearing wall. This kind of wall is commonly found at Home Depot or Lowe’s, and is often referred to as light-gauge metal framing. Temporary structures and partitions are usually constructed with this kind of material. Framing with metal studs is generally a simple, quick, and affordable process.
Metal Studs Vs. Wood? What’s the Deal with That?There’s a huge debate over whether or not a steel stud can be used in a wooden frame. The general verdict is that it definitely can, and since steel is much more lightweight than wood, it wouldn’t cause the wood to be worn or stretched down.
What are the Best Screws for Steel Studs?Just like with wooden studs, there are a variety of options to choose from with steel. The only material you CANNOT use on steel studs is traditional nails. There is no way you can hammer into a steel structure with a nail. Only wood is puncturable.

You can use a drywall screw for metal studs to make up for the lack of nails available. Drywall screws are very easy to insert, and they are easy to remove as well in case you make a mistake. Remember to think structurally, as the placement of the studs can determine the integrity of the entire frame.
What Are the Different Types of Metal Studs?There are even more standard sizes of steel studs than there are wooden studs.The standard metal stud sizes range anywhere from 2 ½” to 14” and above. The size of the stud depends on the depth of the frame it’s being attached to.
For special projects, you can use TV mount metal studs, which are perfect for custom or DIY projects. Whether you have a new flat-screen TV you’d like to mount on the wall for your basement, or you want to make some more steel frames that will sit sturdily in the room, you can use TV mount studs to keep them in place.
These are special studs that will allow you to firmly attach your mount into the wood or drywall-based wall. A load-bearing wall can definitely support the weight of a television or a similar item.
Pros of Metal StudsAccording to the pros, there are a lot of benefits to take advantage of when it comes to metal studs. If you’re working on a special basement project, or you want to remodel a single room in your house, you might want to consider the pros of metal studs when compared to traditional wooden studs.
Check out some of the biggest benefits below:
Steel studs will never warp or rot. They do not wear and tear over time, and they are not affected by moisture or humidity. You can rely on steel studs to remain straight and sturdy for longer than a lifetime.Steel studs weigh less than wood. They are lighter by nature, making them easier to store in bulk and less difficult to maintain once they’re installed.Metal studs are not subject to termites or fire. If you have termites in your home, you can be sure that your wooden studs will fall victim to the bugs sooner or later. But with all steel studs, there’s nothing for those pesky bugs to eat. Plus, steel is fire-proof for even more protection!Steel studs are more affordable than wood. That’s right; metal is cheaper! A lot of studs are now made from recycled materials, which cut down costs when compared to disposable wood.

Whenever we think about building a ceiling or interior walls, many people still prefer traditional wooden studs. Being organic, these studs are susceptible to damage by fire and insects like termites or ants. With steel studs, this isn’t the case. In fact, they are lighter than the wooden studs. For those of you who do not know how to use metal studs, here is the procedure to construct with them at home.

Using the right tools

For installing metal studs, you will be needing the following tools-

• A hammer drill
• Metal cut off saw
• Fasteners
• Screw gun
• Chalk box
• Level
• Clamps
• Plump Bob

Determining the number of studs needed

Next, you need to know where you are to install your metal studs. Generally, it is 1 stud per 12 inches. If there is a door or a window nearby, you will need additional studs

Determine and fit the location of the track

With the help of chalk, you need to outline the place where you need to fit the track for the studs. Once you are sure of this, you can fit the tracks on the floor as well as on the roof accordingly. Make sure that they are aligned perfectly. Use a plump bob for this.

Attaching the metal studs

You can now proceed to attach the metal studs by first cutting the studs to a proper length and then screwing them in to the track. Ensure that you install the studs facing the same side so that wires can pass through easily.

Attach wood blocking for doors, windows and cabinets as required

Once the steel stud frame is in place, you can then proceed to attach wood blocking for the doors, windows and cabinets.

After this is done, you can then proceed to apply the drywall  and sheathing for completing the walls.

This may sound difficult, but if done correctly, it is quite simple. You can do it yourself or hire a professional to get it done for you.

While constructing homes, traditionally wooden studs were used. This was because it was abundant and cheap. However, being an organic material, wooden studs are susceptible to damage by moisture and attacks by termites and ants. With steel studs being nearly 30 percent cheaper than wooden studs, it makes a lot of sense to switch to this for the following reasons-

Convenience- As metal studs are lighter and hollow than wooden studs, it is much more easy to store and transport. While cutting metal studs, you do not have to worry about the huge quantities of sawdust that emerge. You only need to have a metal saw cutting blade which can be used with gloves for safety purposes.

Stability-  With wooden studs, there is the chance of it getting warped or twisted. This is not the case with metal studs. They can be installed at regular intervals on a wall and you can be sure that it will remain in that way as long as you need it to.

Ease of installation-  Steel studs weigh almost one third lesser than their wooden counterparts, making it much easier to install. If you need to move the studs, you can simply unscrew it and change its position, something that cannot be done with wooden studs.

Strength-  Steel studs are quite strong, making them ideal for construction in high wind and seismic zones.

Fire and insects– Wood studs are susceptible to damage from fire and carpenter ants, termites and other insects. On the other hand, there is no such problem with steel studs, making them much more popular for construction of houses and other buildings.

Lower Construction Costs-  Along with the ease of use, metal studs also do not warp, twist or get damaged in any other way as is the case with wooden studs. Constructing a house with metal studs is also significantly cheaper than using wooden studs. Additionally, there is also less scrap generated in the use of metal studs.

There is no doubt that metal studs are the most eco-friendly and practical alternative to using wood studs. If you want to get your house made with metal studs, contact a contractor who has prior experience working with metal studs.

 The benefits of steel studs over the traditional wood studs are significant: they have a lighter weight, they are perfectly straight and have a good resistance over time.  In addition, taking into consideration our experience in this area, we consider that in most cases metal stud framing is a better choice.  As strange as it might sound, in western Europe this technology is used in virtually any domestic project, so you can imagine there are few drawbacks coming with this approach.

Nevertheless, we wouldn’t recommend you using regular metal studs, if you are going to install heavy cabinets, mirrors or chandeliers; in this case you could go for solid wood studs or for heavier gauge metal framing, which come unfortunately at a greater cost. Irrespective of your choice, you will find in this step by step article all necessarily instructions to install a metal stud ceiling by yourself.

Framing a metal stud ceiling is not difficult if you buy the right materials for your needs and use the right techniques. Work with great care and make sure you place the folding stair on a sturdy surface, otherwise you risk injuring yourself. If you don’t have any experience in the field, it would be better to leave this project to a team of qualified professionals. Last but not least, we recommend you to check out the rest of our how to projects if you want to get the best home improvement tips.

Materials

• Metal studs and tracks
• Screws
• Accessories (metal brackets for fastening the metal studs)
• Sandpaper

Tools

• Safety gloves, safety glasses
• Measurement tape
• Carpenter pencil
• Drill machinery with hammering function
• Electric screwdriver
• Hammer, metal scissor, ladder

Tips

• Use a laser level to make sure the ceiling will be perfectly leveled
• Use safety glasses and gloves

How to install the metal studs

The first and most important step of the project is to set a straight level line around the room, at the specific height you want to install the metal stud ceiling frame. There are several alternatives of doing this thing, so you can choose the most convenient one. On one hand, you can use a laser level, which represents the best option in terms of reliability, but this might come at high cost for diy-ers. Just set the laser straight and then mark the contour line of the room. As well you could use a water level, to make a few marks, and then a straight line, to draw the contour.

On the other hand, you can use a water level and make marks around the corners of the room. Then, you should use a caulk line to draw the guidance lines around the ceiling. It is more than obvious that this approach takes more time, but it is equally effective and comes at a lower cost. Nevertheless, of your choice, jut make sure the contour line is leveled so you can build a cheap and simple metal stud ceiling frame.

After we have drawn the contour, we have proceeded to the installation of the first metal track. You should always start with the longest wall of the room. In order to do that, we have drilled holes through the metal track in the supporting wall, made of bricks.

Afterwards, we have locked the metal track with screws and dowels. If we had dealt with a timber frame, then it would have been possible to screw the metal track directly in the studs, without pilot holes. The most important aspect is to install the track perfectly straight, otherwise you will get a curved ceiling.

Next, we have continued installing the metal track around all the walls using the same technique. The metal track must be fixed in screws every 15”/40 cm.

It is essential to secure firmly the metal track in the walls, as it will support the metal studs, and eventually the drywall ceiling. For concrete walls use one and a half inch screws and appropriate dowels, as for wood walls use one inch wood screws.

 This is how the metal track should look after it has been secured with screws.

Note that there might be small gaps between the metal profiles and the wall, if the latter is not perfectly straight, but you shouldn’t be worried unless the gaps are relatively large (over half  an inch), in which case you should straighten the wall first.  When securing the metal track, make sure you are choosing only the best pieces you can get, as you shouldn’t choose deteriorated ones.

The next step is to complete the frame on the longest walls of the room, by fixing the rest of the metal track. Most probably you will have to adjust the length of the metal studs, so it is the time to make a cut using a measuring tape (to mark the right dimension) and metal scissors.

The cuts should be made as  precise as possible, making sure the edges are straight. Use safety gloves, to avoid injuring yourself in the sharp edges.

After we had finished installing the metal tracks alongside the longest walls, we continued  securing the rest of the perimeter. Notice that around corners, you should install a L-shaped metal track.

In order to create the L-shaped metal track, we used tin snips to cut the metal studs flanges . Consequently, at any corner of the room, the metal tracks should overlap each other at least 15”/40 cm; the new piece of metal should be placed in the channel of the installed metal track. Use screws to secure the frame.

Unlike wood studs, steel studs are easier to store, are fire resistant and do not shrink or split like their wooden counterparts. On top of that, they are almost 30 percent cheaper than wooden studs.

If you are someone who is used to working with wooden studs, steel studs may be unfamiliar to you, considering the fact that you may need to use special tools and techniques to cut and frame them. However, once you are used to it, there is nothing better (and much more eco-friendly) than using steel studs as against using traditional wood studs.

Tools needed for installing steel studs

 For steel studs, you will need-

• Aviation metal snips
• 4 ft level
• Drill
• 2inch extension bolt holder
• C-clamp locking pliers
• Sheet metal locking pliers

Cutting the metal studs and tracks

You can cut the metal studs and tracks using straight cut aviation snips. Protect your hand using gloves. To make your job easier, you can first cut the stud partially and bend it so that it can be cut faster. This means that you can snip both the ends of the stud, bend it and then cut it with the help of a blade.

Building walls using the studs

If you are building a wall using studs, the first job you need to do is to fit the ceiling and the floor with a steel frame and then fit the steel studs into the walls. If the wall is slanting, ensure that the studs are cut accordingly so that they fit perfectly in the frames tightly

Making space for electrical lines

With the help of steel studs, you can coordinate with the electrician and cut the studs according to the way you want to have the wires through the walls. You need to ensure that the electrical lines are in the right place so that you do not have to make any adjustments to the walls later on. There are special electrical boxes available which you can attach to the steel studs and arrange the wiring accordingly.

Installing drywall

Once the steel frame and the metal studs are in place, you can then proceed to install the drywall. Before the drywall is installed, the wall may seem flimsy and delicate, but this will all change once you install the drywall and complete the wall.

If you are planning to divide your basement into separate rooms, the best way to do it is by making partitions using steel studs. This cannot be done as a Do-It-Yourself project, you will need professional help to ensure that your hard work doesn’t go to waste.

First and foremost, you have to plan the way in which you want the rooms to be in the basement. Measure each and every part of it to know where you can get your rooms made and get the best utilizations for space.

The next step is that of tools, here is a list of tools that you will need-

• Power saw
• Metal Studs
• Drill
• Air Compressor
• Nail Gun
• Plumb Bob
• Laser Level
• Measuring Tape
• Framing Square
• Speed Square
• Hammer
• Carpenter Pencils
• Safety Glasses
• Dust mask/respirator (dust mask)
• Sill Gasket

The next step is the time when you have to start framing. Here, you start framing the ceilings and the floor while also framing the doors, windows and electrical fixtures. There are two ways of doing this.

Building the wall in place

 Here you build the wall around the frames of the windows, doors and electrical fixtures. You also use the studs to join the roof and the basement frames, all the while ensuring that the steel studs are fitted in the most level position so as to ensure that the wall doesn’t get crooked or damaged.

Building the wall and then installing it

 The other way to frame a basement is to first build the wall segments on the floor and then install it at the right place. Here, you will need the assistance of another person to carry the segments around and to fit it in the right place. However, many a times the basements are not level, this can be challenging for you and you have to fix it before things go awry.

Whichever way you frame your wall, you need to ensure that the metal studs are installed 16 inches from each other and that they are installed not too loose nor too tight. Once this is done satisfactorily, you can then proceed to install the insulation and drywall in place.

For many homes, offices and other commercial buildings metal studs make up the most important part of the way the walls are built. These studs need to be of the best quality so that the walls can stand the test of time and that they can carry immense pressure even in the hardest of times- especially when there are extreme climatic conditions or other disasters.

There are two types of metal studs used-load bearing and non-load bearing. The loadbearing metal studs are made from galvanized steel which have been engineered to meet all the stringent load bearing requirements. Metal studs come in various specifications and gauges, you can choose one based on your requirements.

Metal studs are the best option to make walls in a home, much better than wood studs which are combustible and vulnerable to damage from termites and humidity. Here at Dass Metals, we are one of the leading Metal Stud Manufacturers in Canada where we produce metal studs for various uses.

Whenever any building is being constructed, you need metal studs to keep the walls in place and to hold them up. Metal studs are the best ways you can create a partition or an internal wall at home, it gets made in no-time, uses practically no resources and all you need to do is to just join them together, much of it like you would do with Lego.

Metal studs have been one of the biggest boons to the construction industry for quite some time now. It is highly unlikely that there will be another replacement for this coming in the future. There will be better forms of metal studs, but with the ease of use and availability of these metal studs, replacements for the same seem highly impossible.

For the foreseeable future, the popularity of metal studs is always going to be intact. There can be better quality studs introduced in the market, but when they come, only time will tell. Till then, you can always depend upon the best quality of metal studs from Construction Depot Canada.

Drywall has been a big boon for civil engineers for quite some time now. This has to do with its relative ease in making walls rather than using the old lath and plaster technique. Drywalls come in many types with various materials used in its production. Each of the types of drywalls has its own benefit. The common benefit being that it can be attached to the wall easily.

With a booming real estate market, the price and demand for drywall has been always consistent. Dass metal has been manufacturing Drywall for quite some time now.  The drywall used for residential purposes needs to be firm and thick so that it can stay in its position for a long time. Commercial drywall is also built to be long-lasting, but it is made differently. Dass Metal products offers you a variety of drywall accessories like Drywall Cornerbead 90/130 Degree, Drywall L Trim, Drywall J Trim, Resilient Channel and Drywall Furring channel.

Dass Metal products does drywall accessories manufacturing in Canada so that it can always meet the demands of its customers.

Though currently, drywall and its accessories are quite popular all around North America and Europe, they are surely gaining popularity in South East Asia, South Asia and the Middle East too. By visiting exhibitions held around the world, people are now finding drywall to be a great alternative to using resource intensive brick and mortar walls which take a lot of time to make and can exert a lot of weight on the structure.

In future, Dass Metal products aims to help all of the real estate contractors in Canada to get their home improvement products from a single source. Let us hope for the best.