Metal wall framing, or light gauge steel framing, an alternative to traditional wood framing, has been the standard of commercial construction in the United States since the early 1950s. Only recently, within the last 20 years, has steel framing become more commonly used in single-family home construction and remodeling.

Pro: Metal Framing Lasts Longer than Wood Excessive moisture and insect activity will damage wood framing.

Steel framing is not as biodegradable as wood. Metal wall framing is made of light-gauge, galvanized steel. The galvanization process reduces the risk of corrosion to the absolute minimum compared to untreated steel. Unlike wood, steel does not retain moisture or change its shape over time. As a result, steel framing does not experience “dry-rot,” a process in which wood can warp, crack, swell, or shrink because of moisture or insect damage.

Pro: Metal Framing is Fire Resistant Metal framing does not contribute energy to a fire.

Every homeowner dreads the possibility of fire, and one distinct advantage of metal wall framing over traditional wood framing is that steel is not flammable. Unlike wood framing, steel framing will not contribute energy to a fire, nor will it ignite when heated. This is one very important reason for the dominant use of steel framing in commercial construction.