Metal studs vs Wood? Your choice?

This is just an opinion question I assume because from reading these posts people use both?

When finishing a basement, which method of material would you prefer and why? Wood or Metal?

What are the pros and cons of both? Cost is very important to me BTW. Maybe based on some experienced feedback I can come up with my own conclusions on what to use in the future.

Thanks again!

Scott

 

I prefer using steel studs. The framing is fast and easy. Steel is straight - no warped or twisted studs. Termites and other pests don't care for the taste of steel. Steel doesn't rot or burn.
Once the wall is framed and drywall in place, a steel stud wall is just as solid as a wood stud wall.

I do use a few wood studs, primarily framing a door.

Framing techniques are different. For someone used to framing in wood, wood is perhaps the better choice. Go with what you are comfortable with.

 

Hey thanks. All that makes perfect sense. Which is least expensive? For some reason I would think metal would be cheaper per job but you never know. Also, what about cutting the metal studs? Is that a pain or do you just use wood like you said when you have to manipulate your walls. Metal is sounding better already but I've never worked with it and I'm worried about cutting it and screwing into it. I'm use to wood but if metal becomes more popular in my own mind I might settle on that.

Thanks again!

Scott

 

I cut mine with aviator tin snips - straight cutting ones. Went fairly quickly.

Get a vise-grip c-clamp. It comes in handy when fastening a stud to the c-channel. Only need one screw at top and one at the bottom.

Cost - When I did my basement I got the studs really cheap - about 1/2 the cost of wood studs.

 

If you're into any kind of sound quality (in a basement media room, for example) steel will sound hollow. Wood aborbs sound; steel (without additional acoustic treatment) resonates unwanted frequencies.

Just a thought ...

 

I just started finishing my basment last week, and i decided to use steel studs. I am so glad that I did. Now that I have a "system" I can put up walls much quicker with the steel than I can when I use the wood. Cutting is quick and very clean (no sawdust) with tin snips. In addition, they are much lighter and easier to handle. Currently in the St. Louis area, steel studs are just a little cheaper(10-20 cents) than wood. Just my two cents from a fellow steel stud newbie.

 

question: can you nail into steel studs. I mean if you want to hang a picture or mirror can you nail into the steel and would it hold. just curious

 

Yea, that's what I'm worried about. My basement is going to be an entertainment room with pool table, bar, etc. So lots of "stuff" on the walls for that "club" feeling! Will this just be a huge hassle anytime I wanted to put something up?

True, they may be lighter and all but I'm looking long term here. What's gonna be more flexible to work with for me?

Thanks so far for all the opinions. Keep em' coming! LOL

Scott

 

My thoughts on hanging "stuff" on a steel-studded wall:

1. How many times have you ever bothered to find a stud before you hung something up? Most of the time the stud is not where you need it anyway. Do you really take the time to find a stud to hang a picture?

2. Do you even own a stud finder?

3. There are alternatives to driving a nail into a stud to hang something. Molleys work great! There are also hooks, both plain and decorative, that work well. Some even hold 50 pounds or more.

4. If you know you will be hanging cabinets or something heavy, you can add a brace to the wall. Take a c-channel. Mark the locations of the studs on the flanges. Cut the flanges to make flaps. Now screw this c-channel to the studs about 2/3 up the wall.

 

Hey, can you get pre-trimmed metal studs just like you can wood? These precut wood studs are shorter than 8' so when you put your top and bottom 2x4 plates on, the drywall covers it all without having to trim anything. This is one plus about wood studs but as far as I know metal studs might be available like this as well. Anyone know?

Well gang, so far I think I'm staying with wood. I'm more used to it, I like the "precut" studs, I do plan to hang lots of things on my walls including those "lighted" signs, dartboard, big pictures or whatever else I can think of for entertaining. The more I think about it the more the metal studs might just annoy me when trying to hang all this stuff.

BTW, Yes, I do own a nice stud finder and yes, I try to use the studs to my advantage when hanging things, especially heavier items. What can I say, I'm a stud man. Some of those lighted signs and electronic dart boards are heavy! Also, I want to install a corner wall mount for a smaller T.V. above my bar for my patrons to watch while sipping their favorite brew. So I know that won't be just screwing in just anywhere!

Still haven't decided all the way but now it's more like 75/25 for the wood! Unless I hear something really wild that would sway my decision it looks like those 2x4 precut studs are gonna be the way to go.

 

Steel vs. wood is a good debate. Most of the pro's and con's have been listed. Steel is much easier and cleaner to install, especially if you are working by yourself. I could not have imagined trying to move 100's of wood studs into my basement by myself.

As for cost. Beware of making a decision based on material only. When using steel, your electrical expenses will be a bit higher for grommets, hangers and special brackets that are primarily available only at electrical supply shops. Also, if you plan on insulating your walls, you have to decide on how to accomodate the extra inch of wall lett by the hallow stud. The purchase price difference on the 15" vs' 16" is dramatic, so if you have a significant amount of exterior walls, this could add either time/money.

In the end, it's a wash. If you don't mind the mess and can handle the 2x4's, I'd go that route (besides, it's what you're used to working with). I choose steel because I am working completely on my own, and I have kids that play in the part of the basement I am not working on. Cleanliness and ease of use won out.

Finally, if you do go steel, there are differences in hanging steel vs wood, espcially in the corners. Not that it's a big deal or that it requires a master technique, just be aware of them and you'll be just fine.

 

I was debating between steel and wood before I started remodeling my basement and ended up going with steel. I have been extremely happy with my choice. If you are going to drywall your basement ceiling, steel studs make it very easy because of their weight. (I am studding 1400 sq ft of space & ceilings by myself.) With two young children, I can work at anytime of the day or night, I can work with my children nearby and not disturb anyone because steel studs are cut with my tin snips - there is no mess, no noise, etc. If you are intimidated by attempting something new, such as utilizing steel studs, check out Handyman magazine. They had a past issue showing the methods and "tricks" for using steel studs for the first time. There is not allot to it and I found steel studs to be extremely user-friendly. I cannot recommend it enough!!! Good Luck!

 

Do steel studs come in precut lengths like wood for hanging a sheet of drywall after the top and bottom plate is on?

Scott

 

Yes, steel studs do come in various pre-cut lengths (8ft, 10ft, 12ft). Since I have a deep-pour basement (11ft ceilings), I bought 12ft studs and am using the "waste" for ceiling supports (my ceiling will be 8ft high, without any soffits). The cost has been 1/2 of what studs would have been. Also, I am using flexable conduit 14/2 wiring, so I don't have to worry about grommits on the pre-cut holes in the steel studs, which can be sharp. There is a fair amount of info on the internet to help you along, or in some of the framing books (Fine Homebuilding -Framing, etc.) Go to Home Depot, Lowe's, etc. and talk to one of the folks in lumber. They'll help you get everything you need to get started. For my situation, I spent $1700.00 for everything to stud my walls and ceiling, which will be approximately 1400 square feet (screws, clamps, "nail gun"- to put nails through metal channel into cement floor). Keep posting. There are allot of people on the board who are willing to help you out. Keep us posted. Good Luck!

 

You don't need 16" batts to insulate a steel-studded wall. I used 15" batts and just stuffed extra insulation into the stud cavity. Works great.

I got all my electrical supplies at Lowes. Didn't need anything special from a electrical supplier, except for oversized wall plates. OK - so we don't do well on cutting drywall ;-)
The plastic grommets are cheap.