Commercial and residential construction projects are all built on the same foundation: a structurally sound network of studs, also known as framing. Without framing, a building simply wouldn’t stand.
There are two different common types of framing: wood framing and metal framing. Metal framing is typically steel, with wood framing commonly being spruce, pine, or fir. There are benefits to each type — wood or metal framing isn’t one-size-fits-all and each has its best applications. Read on to learn more about the differences of each type of framing and when to use metal vs wood framing.
Metal Studs vs Wood Studs: The Differences
Once the studs are sealed up within your building, you may not be able to tell if they are metal or wood. But the two different types of framing can have a big impact on your project’s cost and outcomes. Here are how metal and wood framing differ:
Installed Cost
Wood overall is generally less expensive than steel for framing. Unless you are choosing high-end wood for its aesthetics, like oak for exposed beams, wood framing is typically half the installed cost of steel.
Fire Resistance
Metal is more fire resistant than wood, however, it still requires fireproofing in many commercial situations. While wood doesn’t have inherent fireproofing properties, it can be just as safe with proper installation and precautions.
Strength and Durability
Wood and steel are both strong — there are buildings up to 25 stories framed with timber. However, for high-rise buildings, metal typically offers the additional structural support and flexibility needed, whereas wood is better for lower buildings.
Ease of Installation
Wood is typically easier to install. Wood cis readily available for purchase, is lightweight and easier to transport, and also can be cut to size and adjusted with far less effort. This makes wood easier and less expensive to install.
When to Use Metal Vs Wood Framing
Depending on your project scope and the requirements set by engineers, wood or steel framing will meet your needs. These projects are better suited for wood framing:
Residential Construction
Home building projects benefit from the ease of installation, the availability of wood, and the low cost to install. All of these can make a home’s framing process more efficient and cost-effective, while still providing the correct strength and durability needed. Whether it’s a development of multiple homes or one single custom build, homes are almost always wood framed.
Resorts and Rustic-Inspired Properties
Low-rise resort style buildings like ski lodges, villas, and log cabins are all typically timber framed to achieve a rustic, warm, and rich aesthetic. Timber framing is slightly different from wood framing — it uses solid timbers with wood-to-wood joinery techniques. Timber framing is usually intended to be exposed — which is why it’s perfect for these projects.
Low-rise or Single Story Commercial Buildings
Low-rise commercial projects can all benefit from wood framing — again the cost and ease of installation for these less complex projects makes wood an easier choice over steel, which is generally more expensive and more complicated to install.
On the other hand, these projects benefit from steel studs:
High-Rise Construction
The structural demands of high-rise buildings and the flexibility needed demand steel. Though it’s more expensive, these specialized structures require very specific framing — usually only achievable through metal.
Heavy Industrial Construction
Heavy industrial construction like powerplants, manufacturing facilities, and factories benefit from the high strength and resistance of metal framing. These projects often house extremely heavy machines that process potentially combustible materials. The additional fireproof benefits of metal framing are excellent in these situations.
Areas with Extreme Weather
Neighborhoods that consistently experience severe weather, like hurricane force winds, tornados, or earthquakes may benefit from metal framing due to its flexibility under stress. In most areas, wood framing can handle every weather condition without an issue, but for communities consistently under threat of extreme conditions, metal can be a smart precaution for safety.
Discuss Your Project with Wood Framing Pros
Have a project in mind and want to discuss your framing options? Reach out to Hardcore Constructors. We’re a family-owned and operated company that serves Utah, Colorado, Arizona, Texas, and Idaho. Our commitment to excellence and reliability means you can trust that our work stands the test of time — and if your project demands metal framing, we’ll steer you in the right direction.
Get in touch with us today for expert guidance on wood framing.
