Steel framing is a norm for long, where the long and straight steel studs look perfect because they don’t shrink.
They have a long shelf life and are resistant to rot, insects, and even fire.
With passing time, the quality of wood is degrading, and steel studs are replacing wood for their multi-beneficiary and affordable approach.
Initially, one must do more labor on installing metal studs, but they are also very user-friendly.
What Kind of Screws Do I Use for Metal Studs?
Fine Drywall screws must have a 21-to-25-gauge rating.
Use an SD drywall screw for all those 12-to-20-gauge metal studs.
PS – Self-drilling screws have a sharp tip, and threads are smaller, which avoids any metal stripping down.
Metal Vs. Wooden Stud:
A very common comparison often arises between using the base material like wooden or metal.
Honestly, metal wins here, as even the data by Steel Framing Alliance suggests the same.
- Metal is more convenient to use over wood because steel is lighter than wood and takes less space because it’s hollow from between.
- No sawdust, and this means easier storage and less dirt and for DIY individuals, using a metal cutter is easier than a saw cutter.
- Steel is easy to install and weighs 1/3rd of the same quantity of wood, and allows for up to 24 inches of installation from the center.
- No chance of twisting for metal like wood and no moisture issue for steel.
- Wood is prone to fire, molds, and other infestations, making steel a clear winner.
- Good strength of steel allows its usage in tough weather, and 15% less costing indicates more savings.
The most common type of fasteners:
Let us discuss some major types of fasteners and screws around us so that next time you can understand the difference while buying.
- Hex Screws – Large bolts with six heads and assist in the fastening of wood to wood or metal-wood. They also possess spin tendency and small threads.
- Wood Screws – These come with a shaft of threads and is useful for wood-to-wood connections and best for fastening wooden surfaces.
- Sheet Metal Screws – These assist in fastening any two pieces of metal or, to be precise, sheet metal together and possess a flat and round or hexagonal head.
- Machine screws – A mixture of small bolts with screws for metal plastic uses.
- Socket screws – Machine screw with a cylindrical head and for metal-to-metal attachments.
- Lag Screws – Able to penetrate lumber due to their long sizes and able to have firm connections.
- Carriage bolts – Very close to Lag screw and comes with a small cube extension near its bottom.
Some recommended items:
01. HI litchi 304 – $14.89 to $20.44
- A stainless steel hex set with Philips Truss set
- Stainless steel makes for screws and ten-most preferable sizes.
- 200-pieces in total and storage box.
02. Self-Tapping Screw set with 650 pcs and storage box – $15.67 to $19.09
- Comes with lots of screw assortments and a flat & round headbox.
- Applicable for usage in metal, wood, and others.
- High-Grade SS.
Some other questions,
Related Questions and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
Q1.) Do we need to drill into the stud?
Answer: Yes!
Begin by finding the stud and then take out the power drill.
Then, insert the same to the inside, and once your hole is ready, don’t forget to pull it out.
PS – never use a larger-sized bit for drilling because the stud is strong enough the support any weight by itself.
Q2.) What is the ideal length of keeping metal studs apart?
Answer: 17 to 26 inches.
And if you don’t find a stud there, don’t worry as there are many ways to achieve that.
One of the nicest ways is to begin from the corner and leave 16 inches from there or go for the max size of 25 inches.
Q3.) How much weight can you put on the metal studs, which is also safe?
Answer: 2,000 lbs. is a decent weight for 8 x 3-1/2 standard studs.
And similarly, 16-foot is not that strong and may support only about 420 pounds.
Q4.) What kind of screws can we term the best for metal studs?
Answer: Drywall fine screws are the obvious best as they can secure the drywall with these studs.
One other way is to use some auto-drilling screws or even Pan-head ones.
Q5.) Can the metal stud be sturdy enough to support a TV?
Answer: Not by themselves.
You need some extra accessories because they are hollow and have a small width, so we need hardware for them.
For instance, a snap toggle or drill toggle can work fine for this.
Q6.) Are metal studs any stronger than wood?
Answer: One of the best studs here is the Steel one and is stronger than their wooden friends.
One surprising fact you might notice is that lighter steel studs are not comparable with wooden ones, so use them only on native walls.
PS – By native walls, we mean less load-bearing walls or on interiors.
Q7.) Can we say that metal studs are load-bearing as well?
Answer: Yes!
The heavier gauging metal is robust and can bear a lot of stuff, so use them anywhere.
And they are also available across many basic dimensions as well.
Q8.) How can one attach the drywalls towards the metallic studs?
Answer: Let a sheet of drywall stand on the metal studs at some corner point and then choose any one side of the drywall.
Then use an electric screwdriver to drive this screw back into its position.
Q9.) Do metals studs also rust?
Answer: Yes!
They can corrode in moisture, just like wood rots.
So, the correct advice will be to install these studs only after your hyper-moisture issue gets resolved.
Q10.) Can one nail right into the metal studs?
Answer: We often use steel studs in various commercial and residential constructions.
You need to first drill a hole because nails do not penetrate that easily.
Also, we will have difficulty in figuring out whether they are wooden studs or metallic in drywall, so first, take them out.
Q11.) Can you pass the self-tapping screws through steel?
Answer: Yes!
These special screws have the unique ability to tap threads so that they go into the given material.
So, they are very useful for a wide variety of purposes like wood or even concrete.
PS – Don’t use them for drilling purposes through metals, or there should be a testing pilot hole before any installation.
Q12.) How to drill the screws by yourself?
Answer: Begin by placing an SD-Screw to the Hex adapter.
Then let the tip of the drill rest against the metal, and you drill slowly.
Stop the drill after your work completes and when it is not going any farther inside the chamber.
PS – You can increase the speed of the drill when the screw is in center
Q13.) Do we need any specific screws for metal studs?
Answer: Yes, we need some specific screws for this purpose, and this is because if you bring any screw, it will cause problems with drywall due to head thickness issues.
Q14.) What are the screws one needs for fastening the metal?
Answer: Sheet Metal Screws
These assist in fastening the metal sheet firmly with each other. Their characteristics are around a small flathead, sometimes a hex head.
One can also call them by the name of thread-cutting types.
Q15.) How to anchor these metal studs?
Answer: Begin by attaching the given mount with the toggle bolts and then slide the bolt via the hole.
Screw all bolts to just a snug point and once they all are tight enough, check the bracket level.
Q16.) What is a clear difference between the wood and metal screw?
Answer: Thread!
Yes, wood screws have wide widths, and some larger screws come with a threadless shank.
Metal screws possess a tighter and sharper type of thread.
Q17.) How can you paste metal with a metal?
Answer: Use metal glue!
It is the best way to join the system, and it is a handy item for DIY repairs and projects.
Q18.) Are metal studs solid enough to hold a kitchen cabinet?
Answer: Steel studs will not suit this job, not even a cabinet, so use a wooden or ply strip between the metal studs to get the job done professionally.
Q19.) What do you mean by a Tek screw?
Answer: In other words, their one more name is self-drilling screws which is more popular.
It let you do those fastening jobs effectively, and you can use them for electrical and roofing works.
PS – Kindly do not install any pilot hole before drilling these screws as they can do it by themselves.
Q20.) Can we use a Loctite on the metal?
Answer: Yes!
Loctite super glue has a unique additive that is stronger than all other standard glues in the market.
So, it is an ideal way of bonding the metal.
Final Verdict
Metal and wooden studs are both popular options for making the structures, but in recent times, metal studs have been winning the fight.
The reason for this is that steel studs are sturdy and lighter than wooden ones and leave no dust.
Also, they are hollow and are fire-resistant.
One other reason is that wood is prone to moisture and insect infestation and whereas metal studs are safe.
Also, sheet metal screws suit well for DIY metal stud projects because of their ease and low threading.
For drilling in a hard metal like steel, make a pilot hole before or otherwise; there can be many problems.
Make sure to keep them 15 to 23 inches apart for optimal installation.
Thanks For Reading!