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This page last updated on 28 July 2010;  Copyright ©;  All rights reserved by Pacific Modern Homes, Inc. (PMHI)

Steel Framing?

Like everyone in the construction industry, Pacific Modern Homes, Inc. (PMHI) is always looking for new home building systems and alternate sources of materials.

As a result of our studies of the popular "solutions" available now, Steel Framing, Stress Skin Foam Core Panels (which we originally manufactured over thirty five years ago!), and Composite Lumber or Engineered Lumber (man made from chips and fibers), we have become very concerned about the potential problems with steel that are not being properly resolved by most steel framing systems on the market today. In addition to the concerns about the higher material cost, if you are considering steel framing in lieu of wood framing you should be aware of the following:

GALVANIC CORROSION:   When other common metals are used in residential construction, primarily copper water pipes, they can not be in direct contact with galvanized metal studs. Such contact will eventually lead to corrosion and deterioration of the two materials.

THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY: Metal is a far better conductor of heat and cold than wood. Hence, all metal studs in exterior walls must be insulated to avoid excess heat transfer through the wall system and condensation damage on all interior surfaces of exterior walls at the studs.

STRENGTH: Common metal framing members only exceed similar wood members in compression and tension, not in deflection. Hence metal members require more bracing to be of equal value. (Simply hold a metal stud in one hand and a wood stud in the other and shake them...you will understand this difference.)

NUMBER OF PARTS: To solve the problems listed above, a metal-framed building requires more parts (which means increased costs in material and labor for assembly) than a similar wood-framed building. For example, grommets are required to protect pipes and wires passing through the metal stud.

STRUCTURAL FAILURE IN A FIRE: This is our primary concern. When any metal is exposed to increased heat, such as temperatures common in a house fire, it will suddenly fail structurally when it losses its temper. In contrast, wood will actually retain its strength, even when burning, until it looses sufficient area to support itself. Ask any fireman about their concerns of fighting a fire in a metal framed building.

Based upon our studies, it is our conclusion that Engineered Lumber, or Composite Lumber, is the best alternative to solid lumber when you consider all of the factors.