How to Build a Wall With Metal Studs
Many people are looking to improve their own home rather than hire someone else to do the work or move to another home. When putting up walls to finish a basement or attic space, metal studs are cheaper, lighter and generally easier to work with than wood studs. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- 2-by-4 or 2-by-3 Metal studs and tracks
- 1/2 inch Self tapping modified head screws
- Drill with phillips head drill bit
- Metal crimper
- Metal snips
- Wood screws
- Construction adhesive
- Measuring tape
- Marker
- Gloves
- Snap-line
- Level
Instructions
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Calculate how many studs you will need
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1
Measure in inches the perimeter of the room that you would like to enclose with metal studs.
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2
Divide the perimeter by 16. Studs need to be no more than 16 inches apart on center (their centers cannot be any more than 16 inches apart). So, if you divide the perimeter of the room by 16, that will give you a rough estimate of how many studs you will need. It will not be possible to put studs every 16 inches, though, because not all walls have a length that is a multiple of 16. Buy a few extra just in case.
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3
Divide the perimeter by 60. This number is the number of tracks you will need for the studs. Track usually comes in ten-foot lengths, and track needs to be laid at the top and bottom of the wall.
Secure the track
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4
Trace on the floor where you want to walls to be. You can do this by marking the corners and using the snap-line to mark where the walls will be.
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5
Secure the bottom track to the floor along the lines traced out in the previous step using wood screws, concrete screws or construction adhesive. If you are building in a basement that does not always stay dry, the adhesive is a good way to secure the track without puncturing the floor. Leave spaces where doors will be.
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6
Measure the height to the ceiling just above the track.
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7
Cut studs to the height measured in the previous step by using the metal snips. If you cut the sides and bend the metal back and forth, it will eventually break. Wear gloves because cut metal can be sharp.
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8
Place the studs in the bottom track and place the top track on top of the studs. Use the level to ensure the studs are straight. Secure the top track in place once both studs are perfectly vertical using self tapping screws or wood screws.
Install the studs
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9
Place the studs in the top track and bottom track. Use the methods in steps three and four of the previous section. Make sure the studs are placed with the same side on the bottom so that the holes line up. If a plumber or electrician need to run water lines or wires, it will be easier if the holes are lined up.
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10
Use the level to make sure the studs are perfectly vertical.
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11
Crimp the studs in place with the metal crimpers. Put at least two crimps in each of the four places where the stud meets the track.
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12
Put screws into the holes created by the crimper if you want to make absolutely certain that the stud is secure. If a stud is very close to a wall, it will be very difficult if not impossible to get the crimper into place. In this case, put a very long Phillips head bit on a drill and, trying to keep the drill as level as possible, drill a self-tapping screw through the stud and track.
Frame doors and windows
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13
Cut a piece of track that is three inches more than the width of the door or window.
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14
Cut one and a half inches along the edge on either end of the track, and bend the wide part of the track down, creating two "ears" that can sit along the side of the studs on either side.
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15
Screw or crimp the track a half inch higher than the top of the door or window or a half inch lower than the bottom of the window.
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16
Reinforce the sides of doors by inserting wooden studs into the metal studs on either side of the door if you feel that it is necessary.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Wear gloves and safety goggles. Corners and edges of metal studs can be very sharp. Make sure everything is level. Be as accurate as possible when making measurements and cuts.
Check your local building codes for specifics on framing and when it is OK to use metal studs.
