Companies like SFIA member Scottsdale Construction Systems are leveraging advanced roll-forming technology to deliver homes built with noncombustible cold-formed steel (CFS) framing. Image credit: Scottsdale Construction Systems.
Cold-formed steel (CFS), resilient and adaptable, is transforming construction. Advances in design, manufacturing and construction are expanding steel’s use in residential and commercial projects nationwide.
In a recent Metal Construction News article, “Advances in Design and Materials Keep Cold-Formed Steel Growing,” industry professionals and homeowners shared how innovations in steel framing are changing building design. These advances are transforming how buildings are planned and constructed. Enhanced fire resistance, easier installation and larger spans continue to drive CFS adoption.
Fire Risk Drives Shift to Steel
When Mike Lynch built his dream home in the Arizona mountains, fire safety topped his concern. His property sat more than 40 minutes from the nearest fire station, with the last miles accessible only by gravel road. The home carried an ISO fire insurance rating of 9–10, the bottom of the scale. That rating signaled minimal fire protection and extreme risk.
“I’m in one of the most dangerous fire zones in Arizona,” Lynch says.
Originally, Lynch and his wife planned to build with wood. “We had a wood-framed house designed and into the county for approval,” he recalls. “I put a halt to it when they changed our ISO rating – homeowners around here were losing their insurance.”
Switching to cold-formed steel (CFS) gave Lynch peace of mind. The noncombustible framing delivered the fire resistance his location demanded. CFS also made insuring the property possible.
Others are taking note. Homeowners who build with steel in wildfire-prone areas seek the benefits Lynch derived: fire safety and insurability.
Surge in Fires: The Case for Steel Framing
Download this free article brief exploring the rise of fires in mid-rise wood construction across the U.S., highlighting incidents in California and Texas. The report outlines the key advantages of steel framing as a noncombustible alternative to significantly reduce fire hazards.
CFS Roll-Forming Tech Advances Design Possibilities
Roll-forming advances now allow manufacturers to produce larger and thicker steel studs and joists. This gives builders options for wider clear spans and more open layouts. These improvements expand design possibilities and strengthen performance against fire and other hazards.
“Initially, a 305 mm (12 in.) cee in 12-gauge was the heaviest material most rollformers could provide,” notes the article. “Today, the standard is a 508 mm (20 in.) or 610 mm (24 in.) cee in 10 gauge.”
A lower gauge means thicker steel. Thicker sections boast load-carrying capacity and enhance resistance to wind, snow and seismic forces. Builders can extend clear spans 100 feet or more and reduce the need for interior columns. The result: more open interior space, greater design flexibility and stronger performance.
By increasing both size and thickness, CFS becomes more versatile and resilient. As a noncombustible material, steel adds safety in regions prone to fire.
Using roll-forming technology from SFIA member FRAMECAD, the U.S. Naval Construction Force framed this mobile factory at the Contingency Construction Crew Training facility in a single day in Gulfport, Mississippi.
Simple Like a LEGO® Kit
CFS studs and joists are lightweight. They can be manufactured with pre-punched connections and bolted assemblies. This makes CFS construction straightforward — even for those without extensive building experience.
This simplicity convinced Lynch to build his Arizona cabin himself. Rather than hire a contractor, he relied only on a friend for help.
“We sat down and read through the instructions,” Lynch says. “When we got to it, I thought it was very easy, it’s just a big adult LEGO® kit.”
Others have found success with CFS. Retired yacht captain Mike Conner and his neighbors built a garage with steel framing.
“It went together easily – six days after it arrived, we had it built and dried in,” Conner says. “Three of us—ages 76, 77, and 78 years old—we called ourselves ‘Geriatric Construction.’”
Contractors also point to the same advantages of building with cold-formed steel.
“My lead guy went from knowing nothing about cold-formed steel to running his own crew in less than six months,” says Colorado contractor Nathan Margosian. “This simplicity translates into faster project schedules and safer construction processes.”
New Technology Simplifies Assembly of Steel Framed Pole Barn
A crew of four untrained laborers built a 60-by-140-ft. steel framed pole barn in two months.
Beyond the Niche
Cold-formed steel is no longer a niche product. Manufacturers continue to innovate with bracket systems, simplified engineering and expanded applications. Industry leaders see major growth ahead for CFS.
John Wilson, a steel building veteran, summed it up.
“Last year, across all manufacturers, over a billion dollars was quoted in cold-formed,” says Wilson. “A billion dollars – that’s a magical number.”
“It’s not a small market anymore,” says Wilson.
Additional Resources
- CFS10’s Trial by Fire: Photos from UC San Diego’s Burn Tests Prove CFS’s Resilience
- Breaking Free from Wood: Steel Framing for Homes Facing Hurricanes, Wildfires and Other Hazards
- Steel Framing Proves Itself Noncombustible in Southern California Blazes