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Re: Steel frame homeFrom: info@builderswebsource.com
Category: Carpentry and Framing
Remote Name: 63.198.181.43
Date: 31 Aug 2002
Time: 04:45 PM
CommentsYou own a steel-framed ranch home built in 1974 and have specific questions about certain characteristics. One by one: 1) Noise. Steel framing can carry soundwaves more readily than wood framing. However, the effects of noise are mitigated by good insulation, as well as other techniques for noise mitigation common to both wood and steel-framed construction. For example, sound-isolation techniques can be used when framing wood or steel homes, such as using offset studs and sound isolation channels on ceilings under second stories. The stability of steel, however, helps to reduce noises from creeking. 2. Steel beams show through the paint. We don't know why this is ocurring, unless there is condensation or corrosion forming between the steel and drywall that could be causing some kind of discoleration. It could possibly also be due to long-term air circulation differences whereby inside, warm humid air is being attracted to the temperature differential of the steel. However, we recommend that you thoroughly clean the areas of concern, then prime with a stain-block primer. Follow with two coats of quality latex paint. 3. Suggestions for hanging things. Of course, you can't use nails with steel framing. Screws or anchors are required. Self-drilling sheet metal screws are available from Home Depot, as are plastic or metal drywall anchors that can be easily screwed into the drywall. 4 Squeaking floors. Normally, steel won't squeak. It's possible you have wood joists. Or, the subfloor is not well anchored to the steel framing, causing squeeks as pressure is applied. Normally, construction glue and screws eliminate this problem during original construction. The squeak may also be coming from between the subfloor and the wood flooring. 5. Energy efficiency. The differences between steel and wood construction are small. A recent study by HUD showed that wood was approximately 4% more energy efficient than steel for a comparable home. This means that most of the differences come from good insulation, thermal windows and other thermal construction practices. This comparison was between a wood-framed home with studs at 16" centers and a steel-framed home with studs at 24" centers. Bottom line is that the differences are minimal, assuming attention to other thermal aspects are observed. See the full report at: http://www.huduser.org/publications/destech/steelwood.html - Builders Websource.
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