Cold-formed steel (CFS) framing is emerging as a competitive alternative to wood in residential construction, valued for its durability, efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Homebuilders are turning to steel framing for its health and environmental advantages, such as its improved indoor air quality and natural resistance to mold and pests.
“While wood has long dominated the residential framing market, many builders are beginning to find that cold-formed steel framing is a resilient and easy-to-work-with alternative,” says the article “Residential Builders Find Success with Steel Framing” posted by SFIA member ClarkDietrich.
This ultra-modern home, located just outside Toronto, was custom-designed utilizing cold-formed steel (CFS) framing in place of traditional wood studs, ensuring enhanced strength, durability and sustainability.
Wood Inefficiencies Drives Builders to Steel
From a homebuilder’s perspective, steel framing offers advantages such as recyclability, energy efficiency and structural integrity.
- Steel stays straight when installed
- Steel’s structural integrity prevents drywall cracks from shrinkage and warping
- Steel’s resilience reduces air leaks and lowers energy costs
The precision of building with steel — with components pre-cut to custom lengths — reduces the need for onsite modifications and minimizes waste, making it an ideal choice for use in structural insulated panels. Prefabricated wall panels are becoming popular in modular construction, particularly for tiny homes, accessory dwelling units and custom builds.
“I have been building since 1995, and the inefficiencies in construction have bothered me since I started,” says David Wallach, owner of Wally Walls and XYiP Homes. “Framing with light gauge steel is more precise, has a greater strength-to-weight ratio, does not rot over time and is not susceptible to most infestations.”
Hawaii: 70% of Homes Built with Steel
Steel has emerged as the leading choice for framing in Hawaii due to its resistance to termites, particularly after the state’s 1988 building code changes that required wood to be treated. With the cost of treated wood comparable to steel, many builders opted for steel’s additional benefits.
Today, over 70% of single-family homes in Hawaii are built with steel framing, and builders in other states like Texas, Colorado, Iowa and Illinois are also finding success in residential construction.
The Future of Steel
As building codes continue to evolve and construction teams refine their strategic use of materials to enhance building performance, steel is projected to become increasingly prevalent in residential construction.
In the interim, it is encouraging to observe that many builders already recognize and are leveraging the advantages of steel in their residential projects.
Additional Resources
- Why Are We Still Building Homes Like It’s 1832?
- Steel Selected Over Concrete to Rebuild Homes After Hurricane Michael
- Cozy, Minimalist Home Features Cold-Formed Steel Prefabricated Panels