Hot take: stick frame vs steel studs for a 40k sq ft retail build

Honestly, I just wrapped up a project in Phoenix where we used steel studs on half and stick frame on the other half. The wood side was done in 3 weeks but the steel side took almost 5 because of all the extra bracing and fire blocking. Ngl, after seeing the final numbers, steel was way better for fire ratings but stick frame saved us $12k in labor. Has anyone else found a mid ground that actually works for both?

2 comments

2 Comments

adams.harper10d ago

That 3 week vs 5 week difference tracks with what I saw on a 60k sq ft big box in Denver. My question is what did you use for your shear walls on the stick frame side? We tried osb sheathing with hold downs and it still felt flimsy compared to the steel braced panels. Your labor savings might get eaten up if the inspector flags it.

sageallen10d ago

Adams.harper, I gotta push back a little on the OSB feeling flimsy. When you get the nailing pattern right and use proper hold downs, stick frame shear walls can be bomber. The trick is not skimping on the nailing schedule and adding those extra rows of blocking for panel edges. I see a lot of crews rush the nailing and then wonder why it feels like a wet cardboard box. If the inspector flags it, it's usually because someone cut corners, not because wood can't handle it.