I have heard a number of stories in the past of the benefits in framing with steel compared to wood studs. One time I even heard you could build a whole house with the amount of reused metal from a huge vehicle like a Cadillac. I find this difficult to believe unless you happen to be building a very small home.
My personal favorite for framing with metal studs is that they are extremely straight. I have built non bearing partition walls using 12 ft . 3 1/2 inch wide steel studs and following the drywall you are able to lay an 8 foot level to evaluate it for straightness on the wall with amazing outcomes.
If you are using 3 1/2 inch wide metal studs with 5/8 of an inch drywall you’re going to get a very robust and sturdy wall. Framing with metal studs is normal in office renovations or remodeling. Most of the steel stud framing is performed through the drywall contractors.
Metal studs and termites will not mix. You will never have to worry about these little buggers as well as other un-invited house pests damaging your walls.
Through the years I have heard stories that steel framed buildings are earthquake and fire resistant. They could be more immune to fire than wood but bear in mind when steel is hot enough it will bend as well as twist which makes it unusable.
When I hear people speaking about a fire resistant building constructed with steel framing components my very first thought is all of the many other materials used in building the house that are not fire proof. Do not get a false illusion when purchasing a building framed with metal studs and think it is 100% fire resistant.
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 have framed a lot more wood houses than steel houses through the years and my metal stud construction is restricted to nonbearing partition walls generally located in office buildings. I love framing with steel due to its light weight as well as simple construction.
I still like framing with solid wood. There is something about what framing that i have always loved and continually will.
Matthiew Kurgen is an author who enjoys writing about metal stud and other topics.