Which is easier,better and cheaper wood or metal?

Is metal cheaper,better and easier than wood studs and how are they installed? All info is welcomed. Thanks

 

Metal studs are cheaper and better. They're better because they don't warp, don't burn, termites don't like them.

Whether they are easier or not depends in part on your experiences. I found them to be quite easy to work with.
If you have a lot of experience build with wood studs, then perhaps you'll find wood easier to work with.

 

I just finished my basement and used steel studs. While the actual studs are cheaper, I am not sure the overall cost is cheaper. Plan on spending extra money for grommets. Also standard insulation (14.5-15 inches) does no fit correctly in the stud bays you will have to find insulation at a 16 inch width which is a little more expensive. Finally, I think the cost of the sheet metal screws is probably more than you would use in framing nails.

Would I use steel again ...probably. It was excellent for the soffets(sp?) and not having to drill much for the electric was very convenient. And the previos poster is correct, my walls are dead on straight with no warping or bowing. The other nice thing is that I was able to put all the framing material for my basement on my roof rack in one trip.

I did find it a little squirrely to hang the sheet rock on. It actually flexes away from the screws if you hit it just the wrong way, but as I moved along it became easier and easier.

If I ever do another basement I might consider a hybrid system where I use steel track and infill with wood studs and all steel for the soffets. ( How do you spell soffet?)

Anyway, hope that helps. Feel free to contact me with any specicfic questions.

 

my vote is for the steel and invest in the special crimping tool a little $$$ but saves a ton of time, my brother who is a general contractor was sceptical, but was very impressed with it too