Using Steel Studs

February 18, 9:27 AM [GMT -5]

I would like to finish my basement using metal studs as framing. The project would involve creating soffits to cover beams and air ducts. Some of the soffits would be about 6 feet wide, so I was wondering if that could still be done with metal studs. I hope to have the soffits covered in drywall, and the other larger section of the finished with a drop ceiling. Since the wide soffit would have to support heavy drywall, do the support members (metal studs) need to be installed in special way? I'm thinking it can't be as easy as building a wall structure and then flipping it to be installed horizontally.

November 11, 11:37 PM [GMT -5]

I love the idea of having straight walls by using steel studs. However, I live in an area that requires the walls to have up to a 3 inch float because of expansive soils. How do you handle the float in this situation? I have finished a basement with wood studs in the past with the float at the bottom. I am concerned that the weight of the finished wall will be too much for metal studs if the float is at the bottom. Can the float be at the top and how do you do that?

November 11, 7:57 PM [GMT -5]

Would some one speak to the issue of hanging shelves, heavy shelves, and pictures on walls with steel studs?

December 30, 10:36 AM [GMT -5]

I found the prices for metal studs vary and can be near the same as wood. The installation time for metal is longer, but I received the satisfaction of having "true" walls along with the knowledge that basement moisture will have a much less affect on metal versus wood, I would recommend the use of metal in any basement having medium to high levels of humidity.