Steel Stud Framing Cost Vs Wood
A recent 2017 initial cost of construction comparison study documented the initial cost of six construction types in multi residential structures including conventional wood framing and flooring steel framing with cast in place concrete flooring concrete masonry with precast concrete flooring and precast concrete walls and floors.
Steel stud framing cost vs wood. The materials will usually be about 30 of the said cost which is around 3 to 4 a square foot. Metal framing cost 55. While never as cheap as wood steel studs are now only about 30 percent more expensive than wood studs. Installing metal framing for a house has an average cost of approximately 8 to 13 a square foot.
Wood framing cost 42. Lumber costs fluctuate but the cost of wood framing a house averages between 1 and 5 per square foot. Steel runs an average of 2 to 6 per square foot while wood is in the 1 to 5 per square foot range. Steel studs are lighter to carry and store than wood because they are hollow.
Since they are impervious to moisture steel studs work well in bathrooms and water prone basements. Metal studs can be more expensive to install. The acoustics within a metal stud structure produce loud and echoing noises as the sound waves reflect off the hard surface. The metal stud framing materials costs will be lower compared with wood but labor costs are typically higher.
Steel studs are more affordable than wood. Wood framing costs wood and steel are currently about even when it comes to cost. Labor costs are similar at 5 to 10 per square foot though some contractors boast the ability to put steel together quicker cutting labor costs. That s a difference of 30.
Steel framing can cost three to fifteen percent more than wood studs based on steel framing alliance calculations but metal studs offer cost advantages in other areas that can offset this price difference. The average cost of steel framing for a house is between 9 50 and 11 per square foot for materials. The pros and cons of wood stud framing. Cost of steel vs wood framing when it comes to steel building prices steel framing is more expensive than using wood framing.
How much does metal stud framing cost. If you re hiring a contractor they may not be well versed in the world of steel studs. That is not insignificant but it doesn t tell the whole story. When considering only the framing system studies show that a metal stud framing system can cost 15 percent more than wood stud framing systems.
Since wood is preferable by tradition it could cost you more out of your pocket to hire the right person.