Steel Stud Framing
Stud to track, track to slab, board to stud — three different fixings that all have to stay below the board line.
The application
What makes this job different
Light-gauge steel framing replaced timber studs in commercial construction because it is straight, non-combustible and dimensionally stable. What it is not is forgiving: the flange is thin, the connection is entirely dependent on the fastener, and anything proud of the flange telegraphs through the finished wall.
- Steel stud framing
- Interior partitioning
- Drywall to metal stud
- Pre-engineered buildings
Failure modes
Problems we are asked to solve — and what fixes them
Head height fouling the board
A framing head is cut low deliberately. It carries the clamp load for stud-to-track and still lets the board sit flat against the flange.
Work-hardening and snapped points
A sharp point in heavier gauge wanders and work-hardens the steel. A drill point cuts its hole first and lets the thread follow.
Mixed fastener bins on site
Framing screws, board screws and cladding screws look alike in a bucket. Finish differentiation — grey versus black versus zinc — is a practical sorting tool.
Recommended lines
Fasteners specified for steel stud framing
Pan Framing Head Phillips Self-Drilling Screw
Pan framing head — slightly raised low-profile. Used for steel-stud framing where head clearance is tight.
Pan Phillips Head Self-Drilling Screw
Standard pan head with Phillips drive and self-drilling tip. The everyday sheet-to-sheet fastener.
Drywall Screw, Phillips Bugle Head, Fine Thread
Fine thread for fastening drywall to light-gauge metal studs (25 ga and lighter). Reduces stripping; higher pull-out in metal.
Modified Truss Head Phillips Self-Drilling Screw
Wide low-profile modified truss head, Phillips drive. Distributes load over a larger area without pull-through.
Browse the full families
Specifying for steel stud framing?
Send the substrate, thickness, exposure and volume. We will come back with the right family, the right finish and a price.