Non-structural metal framing, or light gauge metal framing, has become one of the best options for supporting plaster walls. Typically, light gauge metal framing is considered to range from 25 ga. to 18 ga. Non-structural metal studs can be produced from 1 5/8” to 14” widths to meet a great many framing requirements.

Gypsum board, also known as GWB, wallboard, or drywall, is a common construction product used all over the world to finish the inside of walls and ceilings. It is typically finished with a variety of surface applied products, including wood, fabric, paint, and plaster.

Plaster assemblies include traditional three coat systems over wood, metal, or rock lath, as well as more recent plaster systems such as veneer plasters.

Plaster in a traditional three coat system is unmatched in its strength and durability.  This system is also fire resistive and can reduce sound transmission.  Plaster must be applied in such a way that it adheres to the support surface; the support surface, in turn, must be strong enough to carry the weight of the plaster.  In the past, applying a plaster coating over a stone or masonry wall seemed to satisfy the strength and texture requirements.  However, when framed construction became popular, interior walls lacked both.  To solve this problem, thin strips of wood called lath were applied perpendicular to the framing.  This solution both strengthened the wall and created a uniform surface to which the plaster could adhere.

As the topic indicates, gypsum board assemblies deal with the completed product.  From the variety of gypsum board products available and the fire or sound characteristics of the materials, to the metal or wood stud support systems, all the components come together to form a constructed piece of the project.

Lath provides a means of holding plaster in place.  Typically, three types of lath can be found throughout North America: wood lath, metal lath, and rock lath.

Backing boards and underlayments are, as the terms suggest, board or sheet material used to support a finish material, typically wall or floor tile.  These products are manufactured from a variety of materials, including cement and fiber, gypsum, resin composites or a combination of materials.

Metal furring refers to a non-structural metal attachment that is used to hold a finish material. In metal-framed construction, the furring pieces are long, light gauge materials of various shapes. Builders commonly use metal furring as a method of supporting one layer of material over another, or holding insulation or other construction items between materials. They also use it in order to meet fire codes or provide sound barriers.

Finding a big hole in your drywall isn’t much fun, but fixing it isn’t a big problem. Whether you have a hole to fix or you are just prepping to paint, a few supplies and tools are all you need for the job. Join the At Home channel’s host, Jeff Wilson, for a demonstration of how to repair a variety of different size holes and divots in drywall.

Contractor to Contractor: Follow professional interior contractor Robert Thimmes as he demonstrates how to frame-out openings. This third installment in a series of articles, Framing Walls With Light Gauge Metal Studs, visits the common practices for the framing of window and door openings.

When plumbing your openings and transferring your layout to the top track, turn your stud 90 degrees and attach your level high on the stud flange. Align the bottom edge of your stud with the edge of your opening, get the bubble "dead-on" and mark the top. Attaching your level to the flange rather than the webbing gives you a straighter surface that is less prone to bow, thus reducing variables and improving quality. Since one side of your opening has been plumbed, now just measure over the actual width of the opening and mark to establish the top of the other side.

Planning and Best Practices

The light gauge metal stud framing phase of a project significantly impacts several other trades. It is no secret that good planning and practices will achieve higher production rates and a level of quality that meets the project's specifications. Planning and layout should be the responsibility of the project foreman; however, everyone should be involved with preparing the work flow. While actual layout is underway, other production items should also be thought through.

Concrete masonry units (CMU) have long been considered the ideal backup material for brick facing; however, because of increasing installation costs, CMU backup systems have given way to metal stud backup systems. Brick veneer with metal stud backup walls, because they are a very cost effective and versatile wall assembly, are very commonly seen in today’s commercial buildings.  The original exterior metal stud wall systems of the 1970’s were simple. They consisted of metal studs at 16 or 24 inches on center, with fiberglass batt insulation having an integral vapor barrier placed in between. Gypsum board sheathing was placed on each side, and 15 pound felt paper was installed over the exterior sheathing.  This system eventually would fail and allow air and moisture to enter the building, degrading the insulation and thus the R-Value of the wall, not to mention causing other significant problems.

Contractor to Contractor: Follow professional Interior Contractor Robert Thimmes as he demonstrates how to stand up and brace off walls. This second in a series of articles, Framing Walls With Light Gauge Metal Studs, starts with your walls located, lines chalked and bottom track already shot down (for details on this process, see Metal Stud Track Layout and Shoot-Down).

In the previous installment of “Contractor to Contractor,” we reviewed the details of how to perform the track layout and shoot-down for metal stud walls. Now we move on to the second part of our discussion: standing up and bracing.

Contractor to Contractor: Follow professional Interior Contractor Robert Thimmes as he produces a layout and final shoot-down of a metal stud track system.

Plumb, level, square, and straight: all carpentry is the same, right? Well, no. Basic building principles apply, but how you build with metal studs differs greatly from building with wood. The following discussion offers a systematic explanation of installing metal studs, with various best practices for each step.