What is light gauge steel framing?
Light-gauge steel framing systems consist of structural frames fabricated using cold formed steel sections. They can be used throughout a structure, including load-bearing exterior walls, non-load bearing interior walls, floor joists, curtain walls and roof trusses.
What thickness is light gauge steel?
The thicknesses of steel used here range from about 1 to 3mm for structural sections, and 1 to 2mm for non-structural sections. The members are sized to roughly correspond to wood members: 2″x4″ and 2″x6″ are common sizes.
What are light gauge steel sections?
Light-gauge steel sections are also known as cold formed steel sections. These sections are made from thin sheets of uniform thickness without the application of heat. The thickness of the sheet used is generally between 1 mm and 8 mm.
Is light gauge steel framing lighter than wood?
It depends on what you’re building, where, and your budget. Metal framing is stronger and has become lighter in weight. While wood framing is flammable, steel is fire resistant. Steel will not shrink, warp, split or mold.
What gauge is light gauge framing?
Material. Most contractors are familiar with the light-gauge steel studs and track you can buy at lumberyards and drywall supply houses. These studs are usually 25-gauge steel with 1 1/4-inch flanges and are intended for non- load-bearing applications such as partition walls.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of light gauge metal framing?
Another quality of light gauge metal framing is that it is not biodegradable. There is no threat of termite attack to it. Also, light gauge metal frames are flame resistant. Fires can cause great damage to the construction material but light gauge metal framing is usually fire resistant retarding the effect of fire.
How is light gauge steel formed?
The light gauge steel frame is developed without the use of heat through the cold-formed process (at room temperatures), which allows steel manufacturers to produce a lightweight but high tensile steel sheets. These steel sheets are made by processing metallic scrap and then undergoing a cold-formed process.
What type of construction is light gauge steel?
Light-gauge steel (also known as cold-formed steel and cold-rolled steel) is a cold-formed material that is used to make construction processes smoother and products stronger. It does not deteriorate, like wood. It is not bulky, like structural steel. It is not heavy, like concrete.
What is the use of light gauge steel?
Light Gauge Framing System (LGFS) or Light gauge Steel framing (LGSF) is a construction technology using cold-formed steel as the construction material. It can be used for roof systems, floor systems, wall systems, roof panels, decks, or the entire buildings.
How are light gauge steel framing members manufactured?
Light gauge steel framing members, some time called cold-formed steel, are made from structural quality steel sheet that’s formed into shapes either through press-braking blanks sheared from sheets or coils, or more commonly, by roll-forming the steel through a series of dies.
What are the characteristics of light gauge steel frame?
The strength and flexibility of light gauge steel frame has led to increased spans, custom openings, curved wall, and different external façade treatments. These characteristics makes it versatile construction material.
What are the different types of accessories for light gauge steel construction?
A variety of sheet metal angles, straps, plates, channels, and miscellaneous shapes are manufactured as accessories for light gauge steel construction. 7. Connections Light gauge steel members are usually joined with self-drilling, self-tapping screws, which drill their own holes and form helical threads in the holes as they are driven.
Why do we galvanize light gauge steel frame members?
The elements of light gauge steel frame members need to be galvanized with zinc, aluminum or a combination thereof in order to provide long-term protection against corrosion. 1. Wall System
What are the advantages of light weight steel framing system?
The weight of light weight steel framing system is considerably low which require smaller size of foundation, and can be handled easily. 3. Strength The light gauge steel has great strength even thought its weight is low.