Metal studs have a number of advantages over traditional wood studs. They are much lighter than wood studs which make them easier to transport and handle on the job site. In addition they are always perfectly straight. Wood studs are highly unlikely to be straight which makes it difficult to build plumb walls. Metal studs, unlike wood studs, won’t burn and are impervious to rot and insects. Metal studs sizes can be purchase in standard 2 x 4 or 2 x 6 widths and standard lengths up to sixteen feet.

Metal studs are becoming more popular as part of a comprehensive framing plan. It isn’t unusual to find a mix of wood and metal studs in modern homes. Metal studs are primarily used on non-load bearing interior walls, while exterior walls and interior weight bearing walls are studded with wood studs. That is because wood studs are much sturdier than metal studs and will support a much higher bearing weight load.

Metal studs are not normally used on walls where there are a lot of heavy wall hangings such as cabinets, heavy mirrors and other heavy items. Metal studs have standard “knock outs” and “channels” for running plumbing and electrical wires.

Many standard building items such as doors and windows require standard wooden studs to be used in there rough openings to provide nailing surfaces to attach the doors and windows. Sheet rock (wallboard) is attached to the metal studs using special self tapping screws.

Installing metal studs is easier that wood studs. Vertical metal studs are attached to horizontal metal floor and ceiling plates similar to wood studs. Metal studs are cut to size using metal snips and fastened to the floor and ceiling plates using pan head screws.

On the down side, metal studs are more expensive than wood studs but the price is coming down as they become more popular in residential construction. In industrial construction nearly all interior walls are made using metal studs.

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