Tough as steel Metal framing industry strengthens push into residential construction

ETNERGIZED by a l-lmulti-million dollar promotional budget and the support of the National Association of Home Builders, the push to increase the use of steel framing in residential construction has shifted into high gear.

Already well entrenched in the commercial market, new product technologies and innovations in steel framing are being developed for the residential market. At the same time, industry associations are assisting end users as well as the distribution chain in changing from wood to steel.

Convincing builders to switch has been slow, though noticeable. While in 1990 only lVo used steel for interior residential construction and 07o used steel for exterior construction, eight years later,57o were using steel for interiors and l%o for exteriors. Still, only abott 67o of U.S. homebuilders say they currently use steel.

According to the North American Steel Framing Alliance (NASFA), steel has the highest srrengrh to weight ratio of any building material. It doesn't rot, warp, split, crack, creep, expand or contract with changes in moisture content, burn or add fuel to the spread of a fire. Termites can't eat it, and it doesn't provide a comfortable home for any other undesirable organisms. And a historical graph of steel prices doesn't look like the seismographic readout from a major earthquake, just a flat line.

Of course, in order to be a viable option for builders, steel framing must be economically feasible and easy to use. "It is not enough to have an excellent product," says Don Moody, NASFA president. "The market must be ready for the product in order for it to be accepted and used on a widespread basis. And that day is not far off."

NASFA's mission is to enable and encourage the widespread, practical and economic use of and preference for steel framing in residential construction. To help accomplish this, NASFA benefits from a broad-based growing membership including steel producers, steel converters, roll-formers, screw and tool manufacturers, distributors, builders and a wide variety of companies producing products and services for the residential construction market. NASFA also benefits from a strong working relationship with the NAHB and NAHB Research Center, which have been instrumental in the development of new steel framing product innovations and highly effective in raising awareness of steel framing among their builder members.

So where is steel framing today? Many of the front-end market enabling elements are in place already. The Steel Stud Manufacturers Association has standardized steel framing members, so that one nomenclature system universally identifies the same stud across all manufacturers. Prescriptive standard s, known as the Prescriptive Method for Cold-Formed Residential Steel Framing, Second Edition, have been developed and continue to be expanded. These standards have been added to new model building codes, the International Residential Code and International Building Code, and are currently in the CABO code. With this accomplished, it is now possible to build steel frame homes in the same way wood frame homes are built in about 857o of the country, without engineering.

To make sure builders take advantage of this, NASFA has trained over 1,500 code officials on steel framing to date and will train another 3,000 this year. An extensive seminar program, underway since last May, has been well received by building code officials across the U.S. The intent is to familiarize code officials with the Prescriptive Method and steel framing resources available today. Following the seminars, some code jurisdictions are voting to allow submittals based on the Prescriptive Method. As a result, builders and framers will spend less time and money, and will have an easier time getting plans approved.

NASFA has also helped develop and launch the SteelXpert estimating software for steel framing,

VEBSIONS of new software help lake the mystery a major eleout o1steelframing for end users and distributors playing field. SteelXpert provides the user with a takeoff and estimate based on local supplier pricing right from a set of plans, in compliance with the Prescriptive Method. The software program automates member selection, estimates, bills of materials, etc. associated with building with steel. "steelXpert takes the mystery out of steel framing for those builders and contractors who are unfamiliar with it," says Moody. "It is a major step toward enabling the practical use of steel framing because it eliminates the confusion and reduces the burdens associated with using steel framing for home builders."

Because SteelXpert virtually enables any framing contractor or builder to identify, specify, quantify and order steel framing, all in accordance with the Prescriptive Method, distributors are interested in using the software as a value-added service to their contractor customers. As a result, a distributor version of the software is due out later this year. Distributors will be able to offer takeoffs and estimates using SteelXpert for steel framed projects and at the same time, start tracking steel usage in residential construction in their areas so that plans can be made fbr stocking common stud sizes along with all the tools and accessories that come with the steel frame job.

Coinciding with front-end market-enabling efforts, research and development funds are being poured into fastening and tooling technology fbr residential steel framing to bring hard construction costs in line with those of wood. Training programs are being developed and implemented on a local basis in high schools, community colleges, votech schools, apprenticeship programs, and other training institutions, using a universal best-practices training manual called the National Training Curriculum, published by NASFA.

At the same time NASFA prepares the market. it is promoting innovative steel framing products that are economically viable options for the builders today. They include two framing applications: steel floor systems and nonload-bearing wall systems. In both of these applications, NASFA claims steel will save the builder time and money. They're also a good place to start because they can be tried with the least implication on the rest of the construction process.

Only about 6% of U.S. homebuilders say they currently use steel.

Reportedly, steel floor joists generally will be less expensive than dimension lumber or engineered wood products while offering similar or greater spanning ability. One example of a steel framed floor system, the Trade Ready Floor System developed by Dietrich Industries, Inc., the NAHB Research Center, and HUD specifically for the housing industry, was introduced last year. It is manufactured with larger reinforced holes to accommodate plumbing and ductwork, and with a host of time and labor saving accessories.

Like steel floor joists, there is increased use of steel studs in interior non-load-bearing walls, primarily because of the significant cost savings and ease of use. In areas of Florida, where concrete block is the predominant exterior wall material. steel has about a 5O7o share of the interior stud market. Two factors are driving this market: competitive price and knowledgeable installers. (The drywall contractors are used to steel.) Add that to steel's strength in high winds and resistance to termites, two important issues to Florida's home buyers.

With the help of local steel framing alliances, mini market infrastructures are popping up everywhere-California.

Hawaii, Arizona, Texas, Chicago, Atlanta, both of the Carolinas, and many others. These local infrastructures are being put in place to make it easy and efficient to order, obtain, and install any steel framing product available today.

NASFA believes distribution of steel framing will follow in the footsteps of the lumber industrv, making the switch to steel an uncomplicated one for the builder and framing contractor.

And NAHB continues to actively promote steel to its members, according to NAHB, "until we're sure (steel producers) are well on their way" toward gaining complete acceptance by builders.'

The tide may finally be shifting to try steel framing on an application-specific and/or market-specific basis across all seements of home buildine.

Rrrrrrrrs

McCoy's Building Supply Centers has remodeled and reopened its Sherman, Tx., sfore as its first pro-focused McCoy's Contractor Sales

Phillips Home Center, i|l{cComb, Ms., has been opened by Todd, Jim and Ben Phillips, who is also store mgr.; Jewel Dunaway, office mgr.

Leeds Building Products, Kennesaw, Ga., has purchased Jeriel Supply, Dallas, Ga., as its 16th location

Big Tin Barn recently held a grand opening at its new Lufkin, Tx., location

West Building Materials held a grand reopening at its newly remodeled store in Clarksdale, Ms.; gen. mgr. Byron Cochran, asst. mgr. Charlie Ford

Lyons Lumber, Frankfort, Ky., is modernizing its door shop

84 Lumber opened a new 20,0ffi-sq. ft. location in Dickson, Tn.; store mgr. Brad Knight, mgr. trainee Steve Armstrong, yard mgrs. John Pewitt and Richard Aulidge...

Carolina Holdings, Raleigh, N.C., agreed to acquire 34-uiit Intermountain dealer Anderson Lumber, Ogden, Ut. ...

Home Depot opens new stores this month in Daphne, Al.; South Lakeland, Fl., and San Antonio, Tx. the chain agreed to sell Maytag and Jenn-Air appliances, three months after dropping Whirlpool (see March, p. 28) ... the company received the 2000 Outstanding Corporate Growth Award from the Association for Corporate Growth International ...

Lowe's Cos. is testing 1,200-sq. ft. rental centers at s-ix stores^, including Jacksonville, Fl., and Houston, Tx. ... the chain is seek- ing approval to build in Wilmington, N.C., and on 16.53 acres in Memphis, Tn.; to enlarge its Hendersonville, N.C., store, and to reroute a street that runs through the middle of its property in Decatur, Al., allowing a larger replacement store to be built

Lowe's has begun construction of a replacement store in Galax, Va.; got the go-ahead to build a replacement store in Suffok, Va.; is preparing to break ground in Conyers, Ga.; will co-anchor the proposed Eagle Harbor Plaza in Fleming Island (Jacksonville), Fl.; plans a 163,000-sq. ft. store in Winter Haven. Fl.. and has acquired 12.2 acres in D'Iberville, Ms., to build a lI2,I13-sq. ft. store by the fall

, Anniversaies: Smith-Phillips Lumber Cp., Winston-Salem, N.C., l20th ... West Building Materials, Atlanta, Ga., l05th ... Riverside Lumber Co., New Orleans, La., 80th ... Composite Panel Association, 40th

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Louisiana-Pacffic will open its first wood fiber composite decking plant in Selma, Al., in mid-May and hopes to add a second location by 3rd quarter 2000 .,

Eurodrawer Inc., Mocksville, N.C., has been acquired by 2lon Industries, Inc.

Guardian Industries Coro. raised its offer to buy Cameron Ashley Buitding Products, Dallas, Tx., from $17 to $18.50 a share, topping the management group's sweetened proposal of $18.25 per share (see April, p. 28)

Euramax International. Inc.. Norcross, Ga., has acquired the assets of Gutter World. Inc. and Global Expanded Metals, Inc. for its Amertmax Home Products division; principals Alan Butler and Bahram Ahlzadeh will stav on with Amerimax ...

Caraustar, Fort Mill, S.C., opened its 10th regional ProfectA-Board warehouse in Columbus. Oh., serving Oh., Ky. and In. ...

U.S. Concrete, Inc., Houston, Tx., has completed its acquisition of Mi.-based Superior Cos. ...

U.S. Lumber, Suwanee, Ga., is now distributing the Fiberon deck and railing system

Spruce Computer Sys/ems has joined the National Lumber & Building Material Dealers As sociation's Manufacturers and Services Council ...

DW Distribation, DeSoto, Tx., has named Owens Corning as its 1999 Supplier of the Year ...

WMA, Inc., Plano, Tx., is now representing Zero International's window. door and stair accessories in Northern Texas

Senergy, Inc.. Jacksonville. Fl., has named ABC Supply as distributor in Texas and the Southwest for its residential and commercial exterior cladding systems

New Web site: Curt Bean Lumber Co., Glenwood, Ar., www.curtbeanlumber.com

Housing starts in March (latest figs.) dropped ll.2Vo to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of l.6 million ... single family srarts inched up marginally to a 1.31 million rate, multifamily plummeted 41Vo to a rate of 295,000 units ... permits fell 4.5Vo to 1.58 million units ... in the South, starts remained flat at a 746.ffi0 rate.

Louisiana Drops Mandate For Treated Framing

Louisiana homebuilders are claiming victory after state Agriculture Commissioner Bob Odom backed down from requiring treated wood framing on all metro New Orleans' remodeling and new construction projects.

The plan was part of a statewide campaign to destroy untold thousands of Formosan termites which have ravaged trees and public buildings (see Jan., p. 34). ln New Orleans, for example, the bug reportedlY causes $300 million in damages annually to public buildings.

After meeting with building and treated wood representatives, among others, Odom made his decision and admitted he was willing to reexamine

Mill Hopes Closure TemPorarY

Lea Lumber & Plywood Co., Windsor, N.C., one of Bertie County's oldest and largest businesses, has "indefinitely suspended" operations, with the hope of one day reoPening.

The mill employed about 200 workers, primarily producing drawer sides and furniture backs. After doors closed March l, about 10 hourly workers stayed on to fill orders.

Company officials would onlY saY that the business, which oPened in 1947, was "closed temporarily until further notice" so it could "reorganize."

County develoPment coordinator

Tim Ivey has been working to get the mill back on line. "I personally feel the company will reopen under some name; it may not be Lea Lumber & Plywood," Ivey said. "On top of economic loss from flooding and the hits agriculture has taken in recent years, it would be especially hard now to lose this company permanentlY."

Merger Temporarily Derailed

The proposed union of Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Canadian National Railway is stuck at the station for 15 more months, awaiting the creation of new consolidation rules.

In applying the brakes to what would have created North America's largest railroad, the Surface Transportation Board called the industrY "already fragile," and said additional mergers could bring destabilization' Canadian Northern aPPealed the decision, while Burlington said it planned to do the same.

his position.

"I think everybody has some concerns with this thing," he said, "and rightfully so."

Odom's words were music to statewide homebuilders' ears. "We've been told that there will be no mandate, period," said former legislator Ron Gomez, a Louisiana Homebuilders Association lobbyist. "And that's the way it should be."

Joe Elder, Elder Wood Preserving, Mansura, who serves on the termite study committee, said Odom caught "a lot of flak" from builders, the steel industry and others.

Odom said that representatives of the steel industry, concrete manufacturers and pesticide companies will be added to the Agricultural Department termite control task force, which will begin working on creating a program to educate homeowners on how to control the pests, rather than requiring a treatment method.

"At the end of the process we'll come up with a list of Products that can be used and that are effective in controlling termites," he said.