Construction Questions

By Menno Dueck

If saving time and money is important to you and your company, then your commercial projects should be built with steel studs and here’s why.

Less waste. Steel studs have about two per cent waste as the steel industry sets the standards which each stud must meet. Approximately 20% of lumber bought for studs is waste because of not being straight, has knots or cracks. Contractors have to ‘over buy’ wood studs to ensure they have enough usable product on hand or pay an employee to hand pick at the lumber store, passing these costs on to you.

More efficient. Steel studs come in light bundles of 10 and can be measured and cut as a bundle; improving accuracy and decreasing cut time. Wood studs are heavier and are measured and cut one at a time. If you happen to install a steel stud in the wrong spot, simply unscrew, slide out of the track and install in correct location; much easier than taking out a wood stud that’s been nailed in. Overall, fewer man hours to install than wood.

Allows for mechanical. T-bar ceiling (drop down) track is the top track for steel studs and is the first track installed. This type of ceiling can cover existing mechanical, wires and provides for appropriate lighting. Very professional, clean and removable for easy access.

Happier employees. Renovations taking place during work hours can be very challenging to you and your employees. Steel studs are much quieter to work with (less cuts, screwed not nailed) and no dust. Because of the light weight of the steel studs, more can be carried and stacked meaning installers are generally in one spot longer. Less walking around means less disruption to your staff.

Techies & trades will love you. Steel studs come with pre-punched holes for utilities, wiring, data cables and plumbing. Wood studs require drilling individual holes for everything, which means more time, more noise, more dust.

Less product. Wood stud construction requires three studs for every corner. Steel studs have a drywall pass through; only two are needed. Less product, less handling.

Simplify renovations. As your business grows and changes, interior renovations can take place very simply with steel studs. Existing steel stud walls and T-bar ceiling can be dismantled; existing wires, cables and plumbing easily removed and new walls and T-bar ceiling installed.

Steel stud and T-bar installation is a specialty trade and is not included in standard journeyman carpentry training. Ask your builder what he/she thinks of steel studs versus wood studs and see what they say. You already know the answers.

Past articles are posted on DueckEnterprises.com under Blog.

– Menno Dueck is the owner of Ask Menno Consulting, Dueck Enterprises Inc. / https://www.dueckenterprises.com/

Article Share