Are you ready for steel studs?

E1OR the builder, rhe decision to f' build with steel rather than wood is a difficult one. With concerns about wood's price volatility and future availability, a growing number of builders are giving serious consideration to metal. But the dealer's move to stock and to profitably sell steel studs can bejust as ficky.

The American Iron and Steel Institute expects the industry to supply framing for one of every four single-family homes in the U.S. by 1997. Even some conservative estimates sav l\Vo of all homes will be built of steel by 1999.

Clearly, the biggest inducement to using steel studs is saving money. Naturally, interest in steel is high when lumber prices are on the riseand seems to drop again as quickly as prices do. But the biggest drawbacks to working witl steel are unfamiliari- ty and the time and expense of training, meaning that selling to repeat customers is much easier than making new converts.

Terry Lumber,Tatzana, Ca., began stocking steel studs last year after inquiries from contractor customers convinced general merchandise manager Carmen Frazier to attend a seminar on steel studs at the annual National Association of Home Builden show. The huge number of contractors anending were so interested in the subject that at this year's NAHB show, organizers had a 1,350sq. ft. steel-frame home built in the parking lot. Thousands inspected the structue.

Struck by the contractors' curiosity and unfamiliarity, Frazier returned home from last year's show with a mission. Instead of hoping interested builders would seek out the product and somehow find proper training, Terry Lumber took a proactive stance. "I found a supplier that could help ts to train the framer to get into the market," she said. "We held some seminars, bringing in the steel studs and the tools they'd need, and having structures built here at our corporate yard. We then put a large inventory in our yard to let them know we were really in steel."

After showing they are committed to steel, dealers must promote the product. There will be a time lag since projects that are already engineered are usually not engineered for steel. "A big obstacle is the typical builder still has his projects engineered for woo4" said Terry Lumber's Gary Sell. "He can have it re-engineered for steel - at a cost of about $1.50 to $2.00 a foot. We'll sell more as projects are engineered for steel from the start."

But the biggest problem is that few construction worken lnow the material well, and its introduction slows down building. Initially labor costs will be higher, due to the learning curve required for working with steel. An average cirpenter is said to have to build four to six homes before becoming proficient with steel.

Yet with proper planning builders reportedly can achieve a profit quicker. Terry Lumber has proof on filma video it shows to contractors considering steel framing. "We made a video of a framer on his second house," said Frazier. "He said he normally has four to five guys frame a house working full-time. He did the house himself with a part-time guy in 16 hours."

Key to making the program work is training, especially of the subcontractor. "Builders must coordinate everyone from the beginning, fill all their subcontractors in on what they're doing, have all their ducks in a row," she cautioned. "If not, it will really cost them. If the subconractors aren't prepared, everyone kind of whines and it's a struggle to drag them through the process."

Dealers should also advise customers that metal is more conductive than wood so it heats up and cools off faster, thus requiring more insulation. After lying at a building site in the hot sun, steel studs can burn ungloved hands.

Plus, steel must be handled more carefully on the job site. To be cost competitive, a variety of gauges (thiclnesses) must be used in residential construction. Each gauge has a specific application. Thicker steel studs must be used in load-bearing walls, while lower gauge steel is used in non-load-bearing applications, such as interior walls. Low gauge steel must be strapped, unloaded and handled carefully to avoid crushing and bending.

Since steel framing in residential construction is new to many areas, building code officials may have questions over code compliance, presenting special problems in both plan checking and in the field. As a result, Terry remains active throughout the project. Frazier said, "If they run into a snag, rather than have them call the supplier, we get involved. Sometimes there are problems with city inspec- tors. They don't lnow what screws are required or what's the proper spacing. If there's a problem, I've called the city inspector and then the supplier. He's faxed out the written regulations immediately, so the job doesn't even stop. If you have all your paper,work, you'll be okay."

Frazier sees a shiny future for steel, especially with the inroduction of more user-friendly products, such as the nine-month-old Carpenter's Steel Stud. The hot-selling, non-bearing stud reportedly requires no new tools or training, because it at[aches to wood plates with nails or staples. It also has pre-punched holes for plumbing and wiring. Bearing studs are in development.

Finally, Frazier preaches patience to her customers. "It's slow." she'll explain. "There's a learning curve. It's not just something you pick up and go with. It's like a major erector set."

And it's advice that holds true, as well, for dealers contemplating carrying steel studs.

Story at a Glance

Should you stock steel studs? ... keys to making a program successful ... help your contractor customsrs may need steelvs. wood.

S,teel Studs

accofdi-ng to the -Luffir,,Industrf

. Unfamiliar to,mo3t contractors ',

. ,Cost:savings may ne nesated bv,leaqung cufve'

. Recy,cling rgquires vast amounts of eneigy, a luge percentage of virgin mate, ..ria-ls and,,,,,crearcs...nOllution, (wood,is bibdegr.radabJ e, ,,... t"u*db..dnd'od'!*nut).,.,,,

.

Fragility:of lower gauges

,i, Limite diStri.butiori of exterior steel ftaming material

. Sucks heat ttnough a structure lits tfrer*at c@uctivity is:: 400 times greater than wood's, so studs and the finished home will rea'ch more .',..exfirene.te.m , e,9

' May qulckly lose its ' :::: :::::]]str-u0tural sfr, engtft Wer iilil i: extreme heat and melt

,:,,, (wood,ietains,,its $tr,uefural, strengt!, under extreme ,, :heat for :,4.1onge!.tirne) i :rMor€ difliCtrlt,and,,time : consuming to drive screws than nails -

. MaY be difficult to connect to other materials, such as sheetrock '

. Buildings can be designed and built,of other materials to equally withstand storms and earthquakes

., C4nnot be renewed or

, replacetl (tiurber can:be' replenis,tr,ed ttrough reforestation, and proper

, : managemeng,

(SIANDED plywood may not be Elyour hottest lumber and building materials item, but it can bring in a steady flow of customers.

Remodeling contractors, builders and even do-it-yourselfers find sanded plywood the right materid at the right price for numerous applications, but many warehouse-type operations do not include it in their inventory.

Typically residential contractors use sanded plywood for soffits, stair Eeads and risers, cabinets, paneling, accent panels, shelving and builtins. It also can be used as an underlayment base for thin resilient floor coverings and high performance floor or roofdecks.

Commercial builders find sanded plywood when stained duplicates the warm natural appearance of wood in paneling, counters, shelves and builtins at a lower price.

In addition to having a luxury appearance when finished, sanded plywood is commonly used as a backing for the real thing in high end decorating. Rare hardwoods are often applied over sanded plywood as are vinyl surfaces and decorative fabrics.

Those specializing in material handling products such as pallets, bins, crating, shelving and cable reels can be good customers for sanded plywood. The smooth surface reduces damage to delicate goods including soft fruits and vegetables. Because sanded plywood is durable, resists damage and offers a smooth surface, it is frequently used to line trucks, trailers, vans and railcars.

These same qualities make sanded plywood a favored wood for farm buildings and animal shelters including horse stalls. Its smooth finish reduces the danger of an animal being injured by splinters or contact with rough wood.

Lumber and building material dealers located near a light manufactudng area have other potential sanded plywood customers. RV builders use it because it is lightweight as well