Steel framing is used at most office and commercial construction, and it has few advantages at wood. Steel studs are perfectly straight, and they donât shrink, split, rot, or mold. They are also simple ought store. read at ought discover out how ought found with steel studs.
1. Measuring and Hanging the Track
1) lease or buy the right tools. Working with steel studs requires a little especial tools. You can typically advantage the best device because this at local construction rental stores. You will need:
- Metal cut-off saw
- Fasteners
- A hammer drill
- Screw gun
- Chalk box
- Level
- Laser even or vertical bob
- Clamps
2) decide the quantity of steel studs needed. You to typically allow because 1 stud per each 12 inches (300Â mm) of linear wall space. buy steel plates â also called tracks â because the bottom and sumit of the wall by measuring the linear feet of the wall and doubling it. Add an additional stud because each aspect of a window or door.
3) Chalk the lines where the explore will exist fastened ought the floor using a chalk box. bite a chalk row along the perimeter of the floor ought picture where your explore will absence ought go.
4) Screw the lower lengths of explore ought the floor. employ the chalk row ought stand your lower explore and screw the explore at by first drilling a cavity into the explore and stud, and then fastening with a screw. if you're drilling over concrete, attempt using the might nailer or hammer drill because an easier time.
- Negotiate corners and expectation straight lines when laying track. Overlap explore corners by flattening the first trackâs aspect flange accordingly the overlapping explore can glide right into place. at longer, straight runs, overlap the adjoining tracks at least 6 inches and advantage the overlap ought the floor with a concrete screw.
5) vertical the sumit track. ought compose sure that the upper and lower explore are plumb, you can employ too a laser level, a vertical bob, or two water levels:
- To employ a laser level, simply lay it at the bottom middle of the explore and reform it at ought shine a vertical laser up ought your wall. This point will exist your vertical point at the upper wall. Most contractors advocate using a laser even because efficiency and relaxation of access.
- Using a vertical bob is though ought using a laser level. join the line ought the sumit of the wall and allow the bob reform ought a shatter at the vertical row at the bottom of the floor.
- If you eat neither a laser even nor a vertical bob, you can attempt using two water levels pressed together. Keeping both levels together, extend one ought the ceiling and other ought the floor, making sure that both levels are plumb. signal off your stout row at the floor or ceiling.
6) Once vertical is established, join the explore ought the upper ceiling. employ a drill and screw gun ought the join the track, lovely much just because you attached the foundation track.
- If your explore runs vertical ought the ceiling joists, tie the explore ought the joists with self-tapping drywall screws.
- If your explore runs though ought the ceiling joists, tie the explore ought the joists with drywall anchors or advantage it with grabber screws and glue.
2. Fastening the Metal Studs and Finishing Up
1) ought trim ought right length, shorten both aspect flanges of a steel stud. employ straight-cut aviation snips because this. curve one flange up, clean of the snipsâ jaws, and shorten along the studâs web.
- For easier electric and plumbing installations afterward on, own entire the keyhole knockouts aligned by cutting entire studs ought length from the identical end. safeguard your hands with heavy-duty gloves.
- To shorten multiple pieces at once, employ a miter saw with a metal cutting blade.
- Make cutting the studs with aviation snips easier by first scoring the studs with a utility knife at both sides and then bending the stud aid and forwards until it breaks apart.
2) mind studs ought tracks by clamping the two members tightly with C-clamp locking pliers. drive a 1/2 inch (1.2 cm) No. 8 pan-head screw at the middle where they meet. This to exist done at medium speed.
- Choose a take place robust enough ought drive the screw home, besides no accordingly robust that it strips the screw cavity and weakens the joint.
3) product metal headers by cutting the explore 2 inches (5 cm) longer than the rough opening width. shorten each flange of the explore (on both ends) 1 inch (2.5 cm) lengthwise. curve the web down 90 degrees using Sheet Metal locking pliers.
4) advantage electric cable across the middle row of each stud with flexible ties screwed ought the studs. Pop a flexible bushing into each knockout at order ought own the cable from rubbing against the keen edges.
5) Add lumber blocking because needed because doors, windows and cabinets. if your steel stud wall seems flimsy, own at brood that it gains entire rigidity once drywall or sheathing is applied.
6) hang drywall or sheathing using 1-1/4 inch (3.1 cm), self-tapping drywall screws. They to exist spaced each 8 inches (20.3 cm) across edges (where two sheets encounter at a stud) and 12 inches (30.5 cm) at centers located elsewhere.
- Use screws with a handsome rope instead of a rough one.
- Check your local codes. They can implore screws placed closer together, and you're better off having too many than having ought add more after the inspector comes.
7) Finished. Your new metal studs won't rot, sag, or exist susceptible ought fire. apprehend how ought hang drywall and end the process.
