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Steel studs offer some benefits over wood framing, but only a small percentage of residential contractors use them.
Photo courtesy of the Steel Framing Alliance
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By Craig A. Shutt
Steel studs are used infrequently—at best—in residential construction today. But at least one remodeler who uses them exclusively thinks everyone using wood studs should reconsider. And with steel's greater strength, more builders in hurricane-prone areas may start looking at using it for framing new houses.
In fact, the use of steel studs is growing, although they remain a small percentage of the total. Approximately 10 percent of all residential structures built in 2003 (the last year for which statistics are available) used steel studs for framing interior walls, reports the Steel Framing Alliance. One of the largest areas of growth is in steel floor joists, which on average are 18 cents cheaper per square foot to buy and install than wood joists, according to SFA.
There are good reasons why wood studs dominate the market, though. They are quick and easy to cut and install. In addition, wood studs resist thermal conductivity, which can reduce energy efficiency and cause durability issues with insulation and wallboard. And they are more flexible than steel, experts say, which is so rigid that steel studs can’t respond to changes in the concrete slab. As a result, they must be site-built rather than prefabricated and trucked to the site, which could provide cost efficiencies.
But steel studs offer benefits that contractors might consider in some applications and regions, including speed of installation once crews are trained and lower costs. But Dean Jarvis, president of Florida Renovators Inc. in North Largo, Fla., has more. "Steel is 33 times stronger than wood," he says, comparing steel’s 33,000-psi rating with wood’s 1,000 psi. That provides design flexibility by eliminating the need for intermediate supports on lower floors and creates a more secure structure.
But the benefits don’t stop there. "Steel studs are 60 percent lighter in weight and they’re engineered products, so they’re consistent," Dean says. "They don’t burn, they’re termite-proof, rot-proof and mold-proof. They can be glued, fasteners work phenomenally, and they can be welded. Steel studs don’t shrink, they don’t move, they’re not organic." Although steel could potentially rust, the use of galvanized steel eliminates that concern. "The back of a screw might rust slightly after 100 years," he admits.
Steel studs also eliminate the need to learn the complexities of various species’ attributes, moisture content and other variables, he notes. There are no worries about knots or straightness. That can be a key point for remodelers who are working under the close eye of the client, who wants every stud to be pretty and straight.
Steel isn’t used more often, Dean contends, because of a lack of training and familiarity with installation methods. "You can hand a pneumatic gun to anyone, and they can put up wood studs. Steel fasteners require a little more training." On the other hand, he notes, "I can set up a laser and align studs that I know will be straight, with no warping."
Helpful in hurricanes
Steel studs offer slightly better protection in storms, Dean adds, and their noncombustability can help with fire prevention. The newest manual from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for retrofit applications (FEMA-347) showcases steel studs because of their benefits, he notes. SFA reports that although only 7 percent of homes in Florida use steel studs, 47 percent in South Florida have them due to their structural help against hurricanes. Similarly, 40 percent of homes in Hawaii have steel studs, including 72 percent in Oahu. "Steel studs provide more protection," says Dean.
In fact, SFA has joined with Zurich Insurance Services to create a low-premium insurance program that recognizes the benefits of steel framing over wood framing. The program reduces builder risk insurance, known as "course of construction" insurance, which covers the project during construction.
To learn more about steel studs and the tools needed to install them, visit the SFA website or call the Steel Stud hotline offered by the National Association of Home Builders at 800/79-STEEL (797-8335).
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