Steel Framing

[DEAM]

I want to put a two story addition onto our home using metal framing. Has anyone had any experience using it? I'm looking for the pros and cons to using it. I've read two books on steel framing but would like to get the viewpoint of someone who's actually done it.

[hmkdevelop]

Full houses have been framed using metal studs. The metal studs and other framing members are a heavier gauge than typical metal stud framing you would find in home centers requiring different fastners, cutting tools, some localized welding may be required,and depending on your experience, some special skills needed.

Advantages...Some pre-assembly of sections can be done on the floor then boomed into place saving time, greater spans may be achieved, fire rating of structure (however mixed framing new metal and existing wood would probably downgrade the fire rating to that of a wood structure).

Disadvantages...Point loading and placement of concentrated loads may need to be engineered differently to work with existing column locations and the wall structures below. My gut tells me that with the increases in metals the industry has seen over the last 2years, conventional wood framing will be eaiser, cheaper, and without any special tools / skills.

MK