How to Attach My Studs to Metal Rafters

Wood studs can be attached to metal rafters.

Stud walls are often built out of wood in houses that have metal framing. These partitions are constructed separately from the house for an add on and are then attached to the metal rafters of the house. Though it is more common to attach wood studs to wooden rafters, they can also easily be attached to metal rafters using the same basic procedures with slightly different materials.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Sheet metal screws
• Power drill

Instructions

1. Inspect the stud wall and the framing. Verify that the stud is firmly secure in place. Check that the plates on the bottom are screwed together and the studs are standing firmly on their own and are stable in place.

2. Measure 16 inches from the end of the stud wall and lay the first metal rafter vertically at an angle on top of the stud wall. Rafters are installed every 18 or 24 inches depending on the type of building you are constructing.

3. Attach the metal rafter to the wood stud with sheet metal screws using a power drill. Position a screw where the rafter overlaps the stud and insert a screw through the metal and into the stud. Add a second screw next to the first to further secure it in place.

4. Measure down 16 inches and repeat the exact same process. Continue in the same manner all the way down the stud wall until you reach the end. Set up the second stud wall and install metal rafters to it in the exact same manner so that the two rafters meet at the top to form the roof.

Tips & Warnings

• The angle at which the metal rafter is installed will vary slightly depending on the slope of the house you are building.

References

• Steel Framing: A Builder's Guide To Steel Framing Construction