Around the House: The pros and cons of residential metal framing – Daily Commercial

Metal framing for new residential homes and remodeling projects has grown in popularity over the last few years. For many years, metal construction framing has been more popular on commercial jobsites where there is more consideration for fire protection and the integration of red iron metal construction.

No doubt, metal framing is a proven method of structural building. There are pros and cons to consider when considering metal framing for your next construction project

The transition of metal framing to residential construction has been occurring over the last two decades with a lot of starting and stopping. One pro in using metal framing in residential construction is the ability to make a straight wall.

By nature of the growth rings in a tree, lumber is a product that naturally crowns, which can create minor bows and cups in the wood. Normally, a wall run of 2x4 wood studs will not be perfectly straight, especially in this day and time, because few carpenters understand how to site and crown lumber.

On the other hand, metal framing is true perfectly straight. A straighter wall can make a slight improvement on the installation of drywall, moulding, and doors.

Another pro of metal framing is that metal is rot and termite resistant. Thus far, there is not a termite alive that can eat a metal stud. In addition, other pests find metal less inviting to inhabit.

Metal does not preclude termite protection, because there is still a lot of wood that termites can enjoy in the doors, windows, and trim of a residential home. Metal framing can be more forgiving in case of flooding, and it can help limit the spread of a fire.

The first con with metal framing is the limited number of tradespeople who are skilled to install it on residential jobsites. Most residential framing crews are skilled to build wood walls and install wood trusses. Few of them have the experience to do this in metal framing.

In fact, some framing crews have abandoned installing any metal framing, because they cannot find the labor to do so. When you cant find labor, that means the price of that labor will be more expensive.

Another con with metal framing is the pricing. Until the trade wars of 2019 and the uncertainty of steel pricing in the world markets, the price of steel framing was growing more competitive with wood products not so much now. Typically, metal framing runs about 20 percent more and future pricing continues to be uncertain as the United States discourages lower-priced steel from overseas.

One of the more aggravating cons of metal framing for homeowners is its serviceability after the home is built. Lets face it, a lot of homeowners armed with a hammer or drill hang a lot of pictures and knick-knacks on the wall. Hanging a picture on a wall with wood studs is easy, because the nail can hit the stud edges in the wall and usually hold.

On the other hand, metal framing requires special fasteners that can cut through metal or pre-drilled holes so that metal screws can be installed. If you have ever installed a picture on a metal stud wall, you understand the frustration.

Wood framing is very forgiving during construction and remodeling projects. It is easy to plane, shave, cut, and modify when slabs are off a little. Because metal framing is true in its measurements, it takes more effort to adjust and modify, which is why metal framing installers are harder to find in the residential construction market.

Most homeowners give little consideration as to what is in the wall. Although metal framing is a great product for building a home, expect to pay more and understand the issues involved with its use. This is how you determine if the investment is worth the pros and cons.

Don Magruder is the CEO of RoMac Building Supply. He is also the host of the Around the House TV show on LSTV and LakeSumterTV.com at 1 and 6:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday; at 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; and at 7 a.m., Noon and 6 p.m. Saturday.

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Around the House: The pros and cons of residential metal framing - Daily Commercial