HomeMy Public PortalAbout2016-07-11-TIF-TrumanHotelDoc-Cost of Wood versus Metal Framing - Thumb and HammerHome Improvements, renovations and DIY from an average homeowner's point of view.
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Cost of Wood versus MetalCost of Wood versus Metal
FramingFraming
There are a lot of variables when it comes to choosing framing materials and supplies. The
following is presented to give you a rough idea of the difference in cost between framing with
wood or steel studs.
Prices from HomeDepot.com (http://www.homedepot.com) on December 1, 2013. Keep in
mind, this is material only and assumes that you already have access to the tools required. A
hammer is much cheaper than a drill….
Example wallExample wall
Specifications:
10 feet long, 8 feet high, a total of 3 electrical device boxes, and drywall on both sides,
Built in basement with top plate fastened to wood floor joists and bottom plate fastened
to concrete slab.
Studs are 16 inches on center.
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All wood is standard kiln dried (no pressure treated) and therefore sill gasket is should be
used for all bottom plates. I am not including wire staples as there are too many options for a
reasonable comparison. Also, trim screws are over 10 times more expensive than bright fin-
ishing nails, but finishing nails can be used with metal framing if a strip of OSB is used at the
bottom of the wall.
Wood wall using nailsWood wall using nails
Materials required:
2 x 4 lumber in 8 foot lengths
$2.84 each.
Top and bottom plates: total 3
Studs: total 9
Total cost: $34.08
Fasteners for wall assembly
3 1/4 inch framing nails
$10.48 for 5 pound box (approx count 320): $0.033 each
To fasten top plate: 6
To fasten studs to plates: 4 per stud: 24
Total framing nails: 30
Total cost: $1
Fasteners for bottom plate
2 1/2 inch concrete nails
$13.74 per 100 (Ramset)
Powder charge for powder actuated nailer: $5.96 per 100
Cost per single nail and powder charge: $0.20
Total concrete nails: 6
Total cost: $1.20
Electrical device box
1 gang with bracket (Raco Handy box)
$1.88 each x3
Total cost: $5.64
Fasteners for device boxes
While nails may be used, I prefer to always use screws
1 inch, #8, pan head wood screws
$5.48 per 200
$0.027 each x 6 (2 per device box)
Total cost: $0.164
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Total cost: approximately $42.08
Wood wall using screwsWood wall using screws
Materials required:
2 x 4 lumber in 8 foot lengths
$2.84 each.
Top and bottom plates: total 3
Studs: total 9
Total cost: $34.08
Fasteners for wall assembly
3 inch #8 zinc plated wood screws
$6.47 for 1 pound box (approx count 83): $0.078 each
To fasten top plate: 6
To fasten studs to plates: 4 per stud: 24
Total framing nails: 30
Total cost: $2.34
Fasteners for bottom plate
3/16 x 2 3/4 inch Tapcon concrete screws
$16.42 per 75 (includes drill bit)
Total concrete screws: 6 x $0.22
Total cost: $1.32
Electrical device box
same price
Total cost: $5.64
Fasteners for device boxes
same price
Total cost: $0.164
Total cost: approximately $43.54
Steel Stud Wall (metal framing)Steel Stud Wall (metal framing)
Materials required:
Metal Track in 10 foot length
Top and bottom plate: total 2
$4.48 each
Total cost: $8.96
*price in this example is different from picture above. Photo was taken in Canada in March,
2013. Prices quoted from US based site in December 2013.
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Metal studs, 8 foot length
$3.98 x 9
Total: $35.82
Total cost of metal framing: $32.84
Fasteners for wall assembly
#7, 7/16in. pan head frame screws
$4.31 for 375: $0.011 each
To fasten studs to tracks: 4 per stud: 24
Total cost: $0.28
Fasten top track to wood floor joists
1 inch, #8, pan head wood screws
$5.48 per 200
$0.027 each x 6
Total cost: $0.164
Fasteners for bottom track
3/16 x 1 1/4 inch Tapcon hex head concrete screws
$11.53 per 75
Total concrete screws: 6 x $0.46
Total cost: $2.76
Electrical device box
same box as in the other examples can be used for both metal and wood framing
Total cost: $5.64
* In Canada, device box design differs for metal framing vs. wood framing. A box designed
for steel studs cost $5.49 each whereas a box with side brackets was $3.59 on the same
day. Other basic device boxes could be had for even less. In our example requiring 3 box-
es, the $4.15 per box difference amounts to under $13 total.
Fasteners for device boxes
1/2 inch #8 metal screws
$6.24 per 100
$0.062 x 12 (allow 4 per box)
Total cost: $0.75
Plastic grommets are required to protect wiring run through metal framing. A bag of 25 costs
$6.72. How many grommets are required for a project will depend on how the wiring is run.
Since our example uses 6 studs, I am factoring in the cost of 6 grommets. (about $1.61)
Total cost: approximately $54.37
Constant costs for all examplesConstant costs for all examples
Drywall costs roughly $10 per sheet depending on what variety is chosen. We need 5 for our
project. $50
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Site NavigationSite Navigation Legal StuffLegal Stuff
Each sheet of drywall requires about 45 screws. A 1 pound box containing approximately 258
screws costs $4.67. Screws for our project will cost about $3.39.
Other expenses include tape, joint compound, primer and paint. For now and stick with just
the basic framing and rocking and add a total of at least $60 to each example (partially off-
sets the additional expenses).
Wood framed wall with nails: Total cost: approximately $42.08+ $60 = $102.08
Wood framed wall (screws): Total cost: approximately $43.54+ $60 = $103.54
Wall framed with steel studs: Total cost: approximately $54.37+ $60 = $114.37
ConclusionConclusion
Based on this simple example, a wall framed with steel studs will
cost in the neighborhood of just over 10% more than the most eco-
nomical wood framed wall. To play it safe, budget for a difference of
15% to 20% In the final analysis when deciding between wood or
metal, remember that the framing is only a portion of the total
project so the difference in cost amounts to 15% of whatever percent-
age framing represents of the total project.
Also remember that the cost per fastener will be lower in higher quantities, but you will be
spending money on extra materials that will just end up being stashed away in the garage.
On the other hand, the cost of future projects will be less if you already have some materials
on hand. Plan your purchases wisely.
Return to Framing with Metal Studs (http://www.thumbandhammer.com/framing-with-metal-
studs/)
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