When our grandfather, a general contractor, was building homes in the early part of this century, a two by four measured a full 2 inches by 4 inches. Today, the same stick of wood framing material measures a half-inch less in either direction.

In spite of this fact, we believe that modern technology and innovations in building materials and construction methods are producing better, more energy-efficient and affordable housing.

While there is no substitute for Old World craftsmanship, technology does have its benefits. There are many building materials being manufactured today with durability and lasting quality.

Metal studs, among other materials, are becoming increasingly more visible in the residential building industry. Studs - the vertical wall framing units - are not the only things in which steel is used. Floor joist, ceiling joist, roof rafters and even complete roof framing systems called "roof trusses" are framing components that are also being fabricated from steel.

Although many people believe that light-gauge steel is state-of-the-art technology, such is not the case. We had our first experience with metal framing almost 20 years ago while constructing an office/apartment in a commercial setting. In sharp contrast to residential construction, metal has been a mainstay in commercial construction for years.

There are many advantages that steel offers that can't be achieved with traditional wood framing material. Among the most significant is its resistance to rot, fungus, rust and structural pests, in spite of a bogus report some years ago that steel-eating termites had made their way into the U.S.A.

Also, steel construction proponents report that a home constructed of steel weighs substantially less than the same home made of wood. Engineering provided by steel industry experts concludes that a lighter structure responds more favorably when subjected to seismic activity. In other words, all else being equal, a steel home is less likely to sustain the level of damage that would its heavier wood counterpart.

Another selling point of steel is that it is more fire-resistant than wood. Moreover, steel framing used in conjunction with other fire-resistant materials and construction details can significantly diminish the prospect of a fire. However, steel is not by any means fireproof. In the case of a raging fire, a steel home can suffer as much damage as the same home constructed of wood.

One benefit of steel studs is their uniformity. In contrast, no two wood framing members of the same dimension measure exactly the same. Furthermore, the moisture content of a wood framing member will ultimately influence its final dimensions. Moisture also can cause other problems when it comes to wood framing _ namely twisting and rot.

Wavy walls are, more often than not, the result of wood studs that twist during the drying process. What's more, excessive moisture caused by a leaking tub or shower is often the cause of rotted framing which must be torn out and replaced. This can be rather costly if the rot goes undetected for a prolonged period of time.

Steel studs, on the other hand, go unscathed by these conditions. Some of the straightest walls are framed using steel studs. This primarily is due to the fact that all steel studs of the same dimension are exact carbon copies of one another. Moisture has no bearing on the size of the material. And because steel in inorganic, it is not subject to the rot that wood is. However, when it comes to water, one potential downfall of steel is rust. Steel industry experts contend, however, that "certified steel" is galvanized (coated with zinc) and, thus, resists rust.

Framing a wall with metal studs is quite different from working with wood. For example, when it comes to cutting the material a chop saw with a metal cutting blade is used instead of using a circular saw. For lighter gauge material aviation snips will cut the material.

Don't expect to find a single nail in metal framing. Metal studs are fastened to a "C" channel or "track" at the top and bottom using self-tapping construction screws. Thus, a hammer has no value, but an electric screw gun can make easy work of such a task.

As to cost, steel and wood are generally comparable. However, the cost of steel traditionally is more stable while the price of wood tends to fluctuate due to industry conditions. By the same token, the labor cost to construct a steel home can be significantly more if the framing crew is used to working with wood and doesn't have vast experience with steel.

As more and more builders experiment with steel and the labor force becomes more familiar with timesaving construction techniques, steel is becoming an increasingly affordable alternative. In fact, many production builders using steel have begun prefabricating their walls and roof systems in a factory setting, making field assembly much quicker, easier and less costly.

Steel might be the new kid on the block for now, but chances are that it will soon become as common to the construction of homes as it is to the automobile.

For more about steel-framed housing, call the steel information hotline:
800-79-STEEL (800-797-8335)