There are many reasons to choose steel studs for your next project.
Inherent advantages of steel: Steel has a lot of great characteristics. With steel you don’t need to worry about rot, termites, mold or carpenter ants. And it won’t warp with age or changing moisture levels. Steel is also fire resistant. It won’t burn but steel can melt (approximately 785° F)
Manufactured benefits of steel: Steel is created straight and light weight. No need to rummage through a stack of 2 X 4’s to find good boards. Steel has prefabricated knock-outs for running utilities. Make sure to use plastic bushings to protect wires. Manufacturers also galvanize the steel to prevent rust.
Environmental benefits of steel: There is some debate about the environmental impact of steel versus wood studs. Steels is an alloy created from iron. The iron is mined and later refined. Both processes have negative impacts on the environment. Wood studs contribute to tree harvesting. And demand is often higher than supply causing poor harvesting practices. Both materials can be recycled.
Construction benefits of steel: Steel is easy to work with. It’s light weight and installation doesn’t require any major power tools. Cut it with metal snips and secure it with a drill/screwgun and self-tapping screws.
Disadvantages of Using Steel Studs
Steel also has some drawbacks.
Wood is sturdier: Steel can be flimsy but once drywall is attached it becomes much more rigid. Steel is not meant for load-bearing walls. It’s typically used for partitions and finishing basements. I used it to help create a bulkhead.
Cost: The initial cost of steel studs varies by location. Some places it’s cheaper than wood. But using steel studs requires other specialized items. These items include: plastic bushings to protect wires (or sheilded BX cable), special electrical boxes, metal screws and more. Looking at the big picture, using steel studs can be more costly than wood.
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