Working With Steel Studs: Metal Stud Framing

Want a Straight Wall?

How would you like to be able to frame a perfectly straight wall each and every time? Using studs that won’t split or crack, and so light that you could carry 20 of them at once? If this sounds good to you, consider using steel studs for your next project. When you add in steel’s other benefits—it won’t burn or rot or get eaten by insects—we’re confident that these tips from our pro will make you think about steel and metal stud framing.

Don’t Lay Track Over a Door Opening

There are two basic steel framing components: studs and tracks. The track functions as the top and bottom plates. When you’re metal stud framing, lay out your walls and openings just like you would with wood, but when you install the bottom plate, don’t run the track across the door openings. You can’t use your reciprocating saw to cut the opening out later, as you can with wood. Concrete screws (Tapcon is one brand) work well to attach the track to concrete.

How to Cut Metal Framing

Most home centers sell circular and chop saw blades designed for cutting studs, but our experts prefer a quieter and less messy approach. Cuts both sides with snips and score a line on the back. After bending the stud back and forth a few times, you’ll end up with a burr-free cut. No need for hearing protection and no metal shavings sticking to your boots.

Caution: Steel studs and tracks are sharp- you should wear gloves.

Use a Stud to Locate the Top Plate

Unlike wood, steel studs are reliably straight. Cut one stud to size and use that, along with a level, to mark the location of the top plate at both ends, and snap a line to guide placement. Don’t worry about cutting your studs to fit perfectly. It’s completely unnecessary in metal stud framing. This is a great advantage if you’re working on an uneven floor. You can cut steel studs about 1/4-in. shorter than the actual measurement.

Protect Your Cords and Yourself

Accidentally stepping on an extension cord that’s draped over a sharp track is a perfect way to cut your cord. To avoid potentially shocking developments, take a scrap chunk of track, flip it upside down, and put it under the cord.

Use the Track for Blocking

Top plates that run parallel to joists often need to be fastened to braces in metal stud framing. You could use wood, but our experts prefer to use scrap pieces of track instead. Just cut the sides of the track, fold them out, then fasten the track to the underside of the joist with drywall screws.

Cut a Kerf in the Blocking

Like doors, cabinets and other heavy objects need extra support. You can use plywood or 2x4s, but make sure you cut a kerf in it to accept the lip on the inside of the stud. If you don’t, that lip of the stud will press against the support board and twist the stud, creating a bow in the wall.

Lay Out Studs From the Back of Inside Corners

Drywall is hung a little differently on steel framing. Drywall sheets don’t butt up to each other at inside corners. One of the sheets will be slid all the way to the back of an inside corner. So, when you lay out the stud locations for metal stud framing, slide your tape measure all the way to the back of the track.

Build up the Bottom Plate

Base trim can still be installed with trim screws. If you don’t like the look of the screw heads, you can install two layers of 2×4 plates instead of steel track. With 3-in. of wood under the track, you’ll be able to nail all the base trim just as you would a wood-framed wall. Over concrete, make sure you use treated wood for the bottom plate.

Install Track as a Header for Metal Stud Framing

Use a section of track as a header on those interior openings that aren’t load bearing. Cut the track 3 or 4-in. wider than the opening, cut the sides and use a rafter square as a guide to bend them back. Have the open side of the track face up so you can slide in the cripple studs if you need them.

Use Wood Bucks to Hang a Door

It’s a hassle to hang a door directly onto steel studs. Instead, frame the openings 3-in. wider and 1-1/2 in. higher and use drywall screws to fasten 2×4 bucks on the inside of the steel opening, then hang your door from the wood bucks. The bucks are also there for nailing on the casing. Slide a plastic shim under each side 2×4 if the wood is going to be in direct contact with a concrete floor.

Leave the Last Stud Loose at Inside Corners

The proper way to drywall an inside corner with metal stud framing is to slide the first sheet all the way into the inside corner and then fasten the last stud on the wall adjacent to the drywall. To do this, you’ll need to leave that last stud loose until the drywall goes up. This method may seem a little goofy, but it requires fewer studs, and it results in an extremely stable joint. When laying out the tracks, make sure you leave a gap for the drywall to slide in.

Leave the Last Stud Loose at ‘T’ Intersections Too

Similar to handling inside corners, leave the last stud loose on the wall that makes up the stem of a “T” intersection. After the drywall is hung, that last stud on the intersecting wall will be fastened to the drywall. Once again, this method requires fewer studs and results in a rock-solid joint that’s almost guaranteed not to crack the drywall mud. Leave the top and bottom tracks short to allow room for the drywall to slide behind.