How to Build With Steel Studs

Building with steel studs offers a number of benefits over using wood lumber. In areas prone to infestation of wood by insects, the installation of steel studs offers an alternative with structural integrity. In addition, buildings made with steel studs provide fire-retardant protection.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Steel studs
• Steel upper and lower steel plates
• Steel saws and cutters
• Steel drywall screws

1. Rent or purchase the correct steel-working tools. Working with steel studs requires special saws and fasteners, designed to cut and attach the studs to plates. Local construction rental stores can supply the correct equipment.
2. Determine the number of steel studs needed by allowing 1 stud per every 16 inches of linear wall space. Purchase steel plates for the bottom and top of the wall by measuring the linear feet of the wall and doubling it. Add an additional stud for each side of a window or door.
3. Consider renting or purchasing a steel crimper to create curved walls by rounding the steel plates. Make sure the bottom and top plates are identical in shape.
4. Install wood backers around windows and doors before trimming. Because it's difficult to attach wood finish to steel, the addition of wood backers in these areas makes it possible to add trim.
5. Cut off the same end of each stud before installing to ensure the pre-drilled holes made to allow for plumbing and electrical installation are aligned. Steel stud manufacturers provide holes at the correct height for easy installation.
6. Use metal drywall screws when attaching sheetrock to the steel studs. With a self-tapping tip, drywall screws pierce the steel stud in the same manner a tiny drill bit would before the threads secure the screw into place.