

What’s more? All metal studs have some amount of recycled steel. The project location, the complexity of the design, and the fluctuating steel market are the three main factors that determine your framing budget. No matter what happens in the steel market, the costs of labor remain fairly constant at $5 – $10 per square foot. The main reason for this is that the prices of steel fluctuate with time resulting in the cost of material rising or falling. Installation of metal studs in an average 2,000 square foot commercial space costs anywhere from $19,000 to $25,000. Stiffening plates are installed on openings to strengthen the connections. These allow for a stud wall and substrate to move independently. In places where seismic activity might be a problem, contractors often use deflection connectors. There are also fixed clips that can be used to give contractors more options for bypass framing. Usually, metal studs are fastened with screws.


The framing techniques that are used to fit metal studs are similar to wood construction, and the metal framing studs are available in similar dimensions to wood studs. However, non-load bearing structures such as partitions, half walls and interior walls can be built with metal studs of a lighter gauge. For load-bearing walls and for structural applications like exterior walls, heavy gauge metal studs should be used. Metal stud framing has two major components – the stud and the track. Structural framing is the construction of planes and walls using steel components. Application of Structural Framing Commercial Buildings Because metal is not as pliable as wood, metal-framed walls are straighter and have a more solid surface, allowing for a smoother finish. Although each method has its plus points, metal stud framing has several aesthetic and functional advantages that make it a popular choice over wood stud. Metal stud wall framing, also known as light-gauge steel framing, is an alternative to wood framing and has been standard in commercial construction in the US since the 1950s.
