Apr. 29, 2024
In every building construction project, framing is a process that should be taken seriously. For many years, builders have widely used steel framing for reasons that are hard to ignore. Yet, despite its reliability, some homeowners prefer to use wood instead of steel.
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However, in order to use the best materials and products, consider the pros and cons using steel frames. Just like any other building strategies, lightweight steel framing has its pros and cons that you should consider when building but it does save a lot of time and labour if appropriately used.
There are many advantages of using steel in a building project that can’t be ignored and the positive points can ease your worries throughout your construction process.
When framing, the top choices for most construction companies are steel, concrete, and wood, depending on the type of construction being built. Steel frames are lighter than wood and concrete and are more durable. Despite it being light, it still serves its purpose like any other framing alternatives.
We all know that Australia is prone to bush fires, so steel framing is a good solution for your building. Steel is not flammable, and some manufacturers use a special steel coating for the frames to outlast extreme temperature. Steel frames become an essential advantage for reducing building damage in the event of a fire.
Lightweight steel frames can be easily modified to fit a building structure, plus there are different sizes of steel available to fit any construction. Steel is easy to adjust, to fabricate the correct size and weight to bear the build load.
Steel is also an efficient material that is 100% recyclable and resistant to corrosion, to minimise any worry about frame deterioration, unlike wood, for example.
This is one of the deciding factors – with steel frames, building owners have one less thing to worry. Termites won’t be able to damage the property in the long run.
Most of the time, structural steel is built with other components to withstand extreme weather conditions, like carbon. Some steel frame manufacturers add extra components such as hot zinc or excess powder for rust resistance to overcome heavy water exposure. So, weatherproof frames are a good investment.
If your project is on a tight budget, using steel frames might be problematic. This type of frame doesn’t come cheap, unlike wood and concrete alternatives. The key is to consider additional expenses such as the cost of specialised materials for upgrade requests. Also, self-tapping screws for fastening to your electric boxes and outlets are one thing to keep in mind with steel framing, and they can double up your labour costs.
Wood frames can be adjusted on-site should you accidentally missed the correct sizing. However, this case is not the same with steel frames. Since these lightweight steel frames are manufactured with specialised materials, they cannot simply be cut to fit if a measuring error occurs.
Some steel frames may not include the extra rust preventing components. Once your frame begins to rust, it will become an issue that cannot be ignored because rust can create structural hazards.
Even though steel has its different advantages, it cannot function as heavy support to cabinetry and other heavy hanging structures. Drywall, sheathing, insulation, and other supplementary woods are required to build to support.
Steel may be fire-resistant, but it also tends to attract extreme heat, due to its thermal conductivity, and home interiors can be affected during the hot summer. Fortunately, you can address this problem with centralised air-conditioning.
Steel framing is not to be done as a DIY project, a professional tradie should carry out the relevant work, if it is the right material. Installation of steel framing can be tricky too, with specific screw sets being required, so hiring steel fabrication and installers is practical and wise.
We understand your woes in finding the appropriate advice regarding lightweight steel frames. For all things steel framing, our team at Chainwire Fencing can help you in Newcastle and Hunter Valley. We have produced multiple frames such as:
We use only premium-grade steel in our products and manufact them right out of our facility here in Toronto, NSW. You wouldn’t want to settle for a team that will give you stress and unending worries with building projects like these. Visit us at chainwire-fencing.com, send us an email at admin@chainwire-fencing.com or call us on (02) 4023 5416 to schedule an appointment.
For many years, wood framing was the most common method for securing drywall on commercial and residential properties; however, metal framing is becoming increasingly common — and for good reason. Framing is a critical piece of infrastructure for every building as it ultimately determines where and how your partitions will sit. Metal studs offer a number of benefits over their wood counterparts; however, the best option will ultimately come down to your project and needs. The type of framing you select should ultimately be determined by your budget, building design, and the availability of skilled labor.
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Below, we’ll review some of the pros and cons of using metal stud framing in your complex construction project.
You can think of framing as the interior bones of a building. The quality of your framing as well as the manner in which it’s installed will help determine the durability and effectiveness of your partitions. For example, your framing will help ensure your drywall can lie flat and your doors and windows can open and close properly.
Metal stud framing is a framing system comprised of a series of studs that are connected to form the interior skeleton of a building. These studs may be either U-shaped or C-shaped. U studs are placed on the floor and ceiling, and they work to hold the C studs in place. C studs are then connected or clamped to U studs in order to create a strong framing system capable of supporting drywall.
There are two primary types of metal framing. Heavier gauge studs are usually used to support exterior walls or load-bearing walls. On the other hand, you have light gauge studs, which are used on interior walls and partitions.
Metal stud framing is becoming more and more popular in complex commercial construction as it offers a number of advantages over traditional wood framing. Below are some of the pros of using metal stud framing:
One of the best things about metal stud framing is its ability to withstand long-term exposure to moisture and humidity. Wood framing on the other hand can rot or warp over time when exposed to moisture. Metal studs are far more durable than wood framing and should have no issues withstanding severe weather and high winds over a long period of time. As a result, you’re likely to have fewer issues with metal stud framing and you can have confidence that the structural integrity of your building will remain intact for quite some time.
Keep in mind, while metal framing is durable, it can lose its strength after being exposed to high temperatures for a long period of time.
Not only is metal framing durable, but it’s also fire resistant and non-combustible, which means your building will be more likely to maintain its structural integrity in the event of a fire. This is especially important for commercial construction and even more important for clients in California who must face the threat of wildfires. Using steel framing may even help lead to reductions in insurance premiums.
Metal studs are hollow, so they’re surprisingly lightweight which makes them easy to transport. Because C studs and U studs interlock, they’re also very easy to store. Both of these features mean subcontractors may have an easier time lifting, carrying, and installing metal framing, which can help speed up the overall project (assuming the subcontractor is experienced with metal framing installation).
Metal studs can support buildings of any size. Because of their strength and durability, they’re commonly used on tall structures such as office towers. On the other hand, wood framing usage is usually limited to just a few stories.
While metal studs offer a number of advantages, there are still some reasons why they might not be the ideal framing material for your commercial construction project. Below are some of the common drawbacks associated with metal framing:
Metal framing might last longer, but it’s also more expensive than wood. Installing metal framing also requires specialized tools and a good bit of experience with complex construction. Additionally, taping a drywall screw to light gauge metal framing can be more time-consuming as opposed to attaching drywall to wood framing. All of these factors mean metal framing is likely to be more expensive both in terms of materials and labor. Some sources suggest steel framing can cost 15 percent more than wood framing.
Steel can be recycled, which makes it somewhat environmentally friendly; however, steel also conducts heat and cold, which means it does not improve the energy efficiency of a building. Metal framing basically serves as a thermal bridge that allows heat to escape and cold air to flow in. This can ultimately lead to increased heating or cooling costs.
In order to meet insulation requirements, some clients will pursue an EIFS, or exterior insulation finishing system. This setup provides an extra layer of insulation that sits outside of the metal studs and helps reduce the amount of hot or cold air that is transferred through the frame. While EIFS may increase the price tag of your commercial project, they go a long way to reducing the building’s utility costs in the long term.
Cutting metal studs can be difficult and dangerous, so it should be done by skilled professionals. Ordering pre-cut metal studs is usually your best bet to keep the project on-time and on-budget. Cutting metal studs requires specialized tools, like a metal cutting blade attached to a miter saw. Unless you’re working with pre-cut or pre-fab materials, you’ll need to take this into consideration.
Metal framing may possibly have a slight impact on the acoustics of the rooms within your commercial building. Sounds waves are more likely to bounce off of loud surfaces. If this is actually noticeable, you can always invest in sound barriers for the wall. Metal framing may have a slightly larger impact on wireless connections such as cell signals or Wi-Fi connections. If this is the case, you may need to invest in additional routers.
Metal stud framing offers numerous advantages over wood framing, especially when it comes to complex construction; however, wood framing has been more frequently used for years. As a result, finding a commercial subcontractor with extensive experience with metal stud framing can be difficult. Because metal framing is becoming more popular, many general contractors and their clients need to find a skilled drywall contractor who has experience working with the components of a metal framing system.
If you’re looking for an experienced commercial construction subcontractor in California that specializes in metal framing, contact us at Unique Building Group today. For over 30 years, we’ve completed complex construction projects on-time and on-budget.
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