Metal Stud Framing Simplifies Construction

I spent many years as a commercial carpenter, and would probably still be doing so if the government would enforce the immigration rules that are on the books. But no; anyone who can sneak across the border can secure a construction job in Texas, Louisiana, or California, or anywhere else without providing proof of citizenship. Often these are federally-funded jobs.

But when I was a commercial carpenter, a lot of what I did was metal framing and hanging and finishing drywall. I loved that build-out work. Especially framing with metal studs. Many tasks are simplified, like creating arched doorways and case openings.

Metal framing is also better on the environment than stick framing, if you're into that whole save-the-planet thing.

Oh, I agree with taking care of the planet, but I've been around long enough to know that this is a trendy movement, much as the "Late, Great Planet Earth" book was, or the population explosion that never happened. Give me a super-sized break!

But, back to metal framing. Wood is frequently warped, and when you order a load of studs for a bigger project, you have to take what you get. Not like smaller things where you can go to Home Depot and hand-select each stud.

That's why drywall is hung differently on residential project than on commercial ones. Residential? The sheets lay down. Commercial? The sheets stand up. It all depends on making that joint on the long side where it splits the stud.

Steel stud framing goes together easier as well. Forget toe-nailing; just zip in a framing screw. On heavy-gauge studs and track use self-tapping screws; on interior partition studs, use the little pointy ones that make you say, "Ouch!"

Metal studs also have "keyways" that make it easy to run Romex, PEX, or conduit. No more drilling through wooden studs at an awkward angle. So yes, I would go for metal stud framing over stick framing almost every time.