Steel Stud Basics
Not long ago, it was rare to see steel studs in residential buildings. Builders or home remodeling professionals purchased them from specialty building supply outlets. Now steel studs are found more often at home improvement centers, though wood studs remain more popular.
Standard Sizes of Steel Studs
Local big-box retailers will usually stock the steel studs in dimensions matching 2x4 wood studs and in lengths ranging from 8 feet to 12 feet. Standard steel studs available at home centers use 25-gauge steel. Here’s more sizing information:
Standard sizes range from 2 1/2 inches to 14 inches.Flanges (the side sections) range from 1 3/8 inch to 3 inches.Studs come with knockouts in place for electrical cables.Knockouts range from 3/4 inch to 1 1/2 inch diameter.
Pros and Cons of Using Steel Studs
All factors considered, most do-it-yourselfers will find that there is little advantage to using metal studs over traditional wood studs. For first-timers, using steel studs requires a learning curve that makes installation a little slower than with wood studs, plus working with steel comes with additional safety hazards. There may be locations where you still prefer to use wood as well as metal studs, such as when attaching electrical boxes between studs and door frames. You may also find it easier to attach trim moldings around doors and windows if they have been framed with wood rather than steel.
Pros of Steel Studs
Predictable: Unlike wood, which can be delivered even if the boards are warped, twisted, or bent, steel studs (unless damaged) always arrive perfectly straight. Durable: Metal studs are impervious to fire, termites, rot, splitting, and any other number of hazards which can affect organic-based building materials such as wood. Cost-effective: While never as cheap as wood, steel studs are now only about 40-percent more expensive than wood studs. Lightweight: Steel studs are lighter to carry and store than wood because they are hollow. Studs can nest into each other to some degree. Good for problem areas: Steel studs work well in bathrooms, basements, and other water-prone areas since they are impervious to moisture.
Cons of Steel Studs
Difficult to cut: It’s more difficult to cut steel studs than it is to cut lumber. Steel requires a miter saw or circular saw equipped with a metal-cutting blade in conjunction with tin snips. Limited availability: Metal studs found at your local home improvement store usually only come in the most popular dimensions. Limited creativity: Metal is not a forgiving material, which can be more frustrating for a DIYer than working with a flexible and malleable material such as wood. Drywall installation is tricky: Tapping a drywall screw into a metal stud requires more work and practice than driving a drywall screw into a wood stud (the wood helps to draw the screw into it). Risk of rust: Steel studs can decay from rust in areas prone to moisture. Many are galvanized to reduce rusting, but some can still completely rust at the base.
Cutting metal studs by hand with tin snips may lacerate the skin.The sound produced by an electric saw on metal studs will damage hearing unless you wear hearing protection.Cut edges can be quite sharp, so make sure to wear heavy work gloves and long sleeves.
