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Materials & Specificationsaka: steel studaka: light gauge steel framingaka: LGFS

Metal Stud

In Plain English

Steel framing members used to build interior partition walls in commercial construction.

Definition

Metal studs are cold-formed steel framing members used to construct non-load-bearing interior partition walls and exterior framing systems in commercial construction. They are lighter than wood, dimensionally stable, non-combustible, and not susceptible to rot or insect damage. Metal stud framing is the standard wall framing system in most commercial buildings.

Why It Matters in Bidding

Metal stud framing is a high-volume line item in commercial interiors, so gauge, depth, and spacing assumptions made during takeoff directly swing both material and labor costs. Misreading the partition schedule, for instance using 25-gauge where the spec calls for structural 18-gauge, can leave a sub badly underbid or expose the GC to a non-compliant, non-rated wall assembly.

Example

Reviewing the partition types, the estimator caught that corridor walls required 20-gauge, 6-inch studs at 16 inches on center for the rated assembly, not the lighter 25-gauge studs assumed in the first takeoff pass.

Related Terms

DrywallGypsum BoardGalvanized SteelFire-Rated Assembly

Frequently Asked Questions

Gauge (steel thickness), stud depth, and on-center spacing all drive cost and must match each wall type in the partition schedule. Heavier structural gauges, deflection tracks, and fire-rated assemblies add material and labor. Estimators should also account for backing, bracing, and headers at openings, which are easy to miss in raw linear-foot takeoffs.
Rated partitions reference specific tested assemblies that dictate stud gauge, board layers, and detailing, so deviating from the listed assembly can void the rating. When bidding, tie each partition type to its required rating and assembly so the framing and drywall scopes price the correct number of layers and fasteners.
Exterior backup walls, tall partitions, walls carrying loads, and assemblies with tight deflection limits typically require heavier structural cold-formed studs engineered for the span and wind or seismic load. These cost more and may need deferred-submittal engineering, so estimators should flag them separately from light non-load-bearing interior partitions.

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