November 21, 2025 — The Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute (CFSEI) has published Tech Note B011-25, “Cold-Formed Steel Framing Design: Where Do I Begin?” This Tech Note introduces engineers to the fundamentals of cold-formed steel (CFS) framing by clarifying member options, thicknesses and design standards. It offers recommendations from experienced CFS designers to support effective member selection, detailing and overall design strategy.
CFSEI Tech Note B011-25, Cold-Formed Steel Framing Design: Where Do I Begin?
New to Cold-Formed Steel (CFS)?
CFSEI Tech Note B011-25 covers:
- Key criteria for selecting stud sizes, thicknesses and flange widths
- Strategies for limiting member variations per story to reduce field errors
- How to balance spacing, flange size and thickness to meet loads efficiently
- Guidance on jambs, headers and built-up members
- Practical notes on material availability and contractor preferences
This Tech Note explains how engineers can streamline cold-formed steel framing design by making informed member selections and improving constructability through better coordination with contractors and fabricators. It outlines practical ways to achieve these goals, including how to:
- Optimize member choices without overcomplicating schedules
- Reduce installation mistakes through clear, consistent profile selection
- Evaluate when spacing adjustments outperform thicker studs
- Coordinate early with fabricators to confirm preferred profiles and connectors
Key Design Resources
The publication also highlights essential industry resources and standards that support safe, efficient CFS framing design. These include:
- AISI standards for structural, nonstructural and seismic applications
- AISI and CFSEI design guides with examples and recommended details
- Manufacturer and industry load-span tables for member sizing
Readers can use this document to quickly understand core CFS design principles and make more informed framing decisions.
- Tech Note B011-25 is free of charge to CFSEI Corporate, Professional and Student Members
- Nonmembers: B011-25 is available for purchase
Industry experts write and update CFSEI Technical Notes to guide professionals in cold-formed steel design and construction.
Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute
The Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute (CFSEI) comprises hundreds of structural engineers and other design professionals. Together, they are finding a better way to produce safe and efficient cold-formed steel (CFS) designs for commercial and residential structures.
CFSEI members develop industry standards and design methods. CFSEI issues technical bulletins, organizes seminars and provides online training so that engineers and design professionals can improve their knowledge and skills. CFSEI is part of the Steel Framing Industry Association (SFIA) family. For more information, visit www.cfsei.org.
Additional Resources
- CFSEI Publishes Tech Note F140-25: ‘Welding Cold-Formed Steel’
- CFSEI Publishes Tech Note L400-25: ‘Non-Bearing Cold-formed Steel Lateral Force Resisting Systems’
- CFSEI Publishes Tech Note on Evaluation and Remediation of Cold-Formed Steel Members and Connections
- CFSEI Publishes Tech Note on the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Bearing Stiffeners
- CFSEI Publishes Tech Note on Hole Reinforcement of Cold-Formed Steel Compression Members
- CFSEI Publishes Technical Note on Strap Braced Wall Design, Loose Strap Considerations