How to Build with Steel Studs
Steel framing is used in most office and apartment construction, and it has several advantages over wood. Steel studs are perfectly straight, don’t shrink or split and are easy to store. Read on to find out how to build with steel studs.
EditSteps
- 1Rent or purchase the right tools. Working with steel studs requires special steel-working saws and fasteners, designed to cut and attach the studs to plates. You can typically get the best equipment for this at local construction rental stores.
- 2Determine the number of steel studs needed. You should typically allow for 1 stud per every 16 inches of linear wall space. Purchase steel plates for the bottom and top of the wall by measuring the linear feet of the wall and doubling it. Add an additional stud for each side of a window or door.
- 3Screw lengths of track to the floor and ceiling. Tracks are slightly wider than studs, so the studs snap right in.
- 4To trim to correct length, cut both side flanges of a steel stud. Use straight-cut aviation snips for this. Bend one flange up, clear of the snips’ jaws, and cut across the stud’s web.
- To cut multiple pieces at once, use a miter saw with a metal cutting blade.
- For easier electrical and plumbing installations later on, keep all the keyhole knockouts aligned by cutting all studs to length from the same end. Protect your hands with heavy-duty gloves.
- To cut multiple pieces at once, use a miter saw with a metal cutting blade.
- 5Join studs to tracks by clamping the two members tightly with C-clamp locking pliers. Drive a 1/2 inch (1.2 cm) No. 8 pan-head screw in the middle where they meet. This should be done at medium speed.
- Choose a clutch setting strong enough to drive the screw home, but not so strong that it strips the screw hole and weakens the joint.
- Choose a clutch setting strong enough to drive the screw home, but not so strong that it strips the screw hole and weakens the joint.
- 6Fabricate metal headers by cutting the track 2 inches (5 cm) longer than the rough opening width. Cut each flange of the track (on both ends) 1 inch (2.5 cm) lengthwise. Bend the web down 90 degrees using sheet metal locking pliers.
- 7Secure electrical cable along the center line of each stud with plastic ties screwed to the studs. Pop a plastic bushing into each knockout in order to keep the cable from rubbing against the sharp edges.
- 8Add wood nails as needed for doors, windows and cabinets. If your steel stud wall seems flimsy, keep in mind that it gains full rigidity once drywall or sheathing is applied.
- 9Hang drywall or sheathing using 1-1/4 inch (3.1 cm), self-tapping drywall screws. They should be spaced every 8 inches (20.3 cm) along edges (where two sheets meet on a stud) and 12 inches (30.5 cm) on centers located elsewhere.
- Check your local codes. They may require screws placed closer together, and you're better off having too many than having to add more after the inspector comes.
- Check your local codes. They may require screws placed closer together, and you're better off having too many than having to add more after the inspector comes.
- 10Finished.
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EditTips
- The flange on a steel stud is flexible and may deflect when you’re trying to pierce it with a drywall screw, especially when two panel edges meet on a single stud. To prevent this and give it rigidity, secure the first panel to the open side of the stud (the one that’s opposite the web) and then hang the second panel. Grip the back of the stud flange near the screw connection point with your fingers in order to give it support and then drive the screw.
- Levels with one magnetic side are helpful when working with steel studs.
- Some people find it well worth the extra money to use 20 gauge studs rather than the usual 25 gauge ones. The walls feel more solid and the cost difference typically isn't all that much.
- At door jambs, if you trim a wooden 2x4 (5 cm x 10 cm) slightly, it will slide inside of the steel stud. This makes the door frame much sturdier and hinges easier to attach. Also, the house won't shake so much when your teenager slams their bedroom door!
- Self-tapping screws make joining pieces much easier.
- Steel studs are sold in a variety of widths that are comparable to dimensional lumber sizes.
- With lengths and gauges, the lower the gauge number, the thicker the steel.
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EditWarnings
- For heavy cabinets such as overhead kitchen cabinets, keep in mind that steel studs may not be strong enough to support their weight, even with drywall on them.
- Don’t try nailing trim into steel studs. It will not hold. Instead, use specially designed trim screws for the job.
- Cut steel is sharp, so make sure to wear gloves.
- Wear eye protection when cutting steel and driving screws. It's not unheard of for a screw to jump off the power screwdriver and shoot out at you.
- Make sure that your architect or designer's plans aren't drawn for wood dimensions.
- Doing any type of work using power tools while tired or in a rush may lead to injury.
EditThings You'll Need
EditRelated wikiHows
EditSources and Citations
- http://www.rd.com/familyhandyman/content/18110 More information on working with steel studs in Family Handyman Magazine. Original source of the article. Shared with permission.
- http://www.rd.com/familyhandyman/content/17679/ Installing drywall.
- http://www.rd.com/familyhandyman/content/17480/ Framing a wall.
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