JOIN DIYCHATROOM TODAY!

davidfenton · 07-05-2006, 03:21 PM

New to metal framing. I need to build 12 foot walls with 8 foot studs. How do I make up the hight. (non-load bearing) any help would be appreciated

Big Dave · 07-05-2006, 03:30 PM

I've done alot of metal stud framing and have never tried anything like that. Why can't you get 12' studs?

Dave.

davidfenton · 07-05-2006, 03:52 PM

:D :D I bought a kit cottage and the studs that came with it were 8ft some 10ft but the open ceiling in 12ft. If this cant be done right I will send that portion back? Thanks for your quick response.

KUIPORNG · 07-05-2006, 03:55 PM

It probably work but a waste of materials, just coincide two studs together, slide one of them to the other by 4 feet then screw them... This should work... but with my experience with steel studs, I will still go for wood studs and steel plate..... may be you have those 8' steel studs available already causing you to make this decision...

Big Dave · 07-05-2006, 03:57 PM

I would be afraid to try to splice them together even though it is not load bearing. Now that I think about it you could splice them and everyother one put the slice at the top then bottom and put a stiffener inside the studs in the cutout places. I would still be afraid that there would be too much deflection.

Dave.

KUIPORNG · 07-05-2006, 04:35 PM

The steel studs is not strong in the first place anyway... splice them together not necessary create weak link, in my opinion, in the manifacturer notes, they say the steel frame are only meant to become rigid after dry wall being installed on them, in other words,it is very weak in support by itself, it is really the drywall holding up the strength... this is one main reason I don't like steel studs...

DaveH · 07-06-2006, 07:39 AM

I've been installing ,selling, and estimating steel studs for 25 years, and yes they can be spliced in a non-load bearing situation with no problem. You can either make a slit in the end of the stud about 6" deep in the middle of it and do the the same for the adjoining stud. Then slip the two pieces together. Once you have the pieces together you need to put 2 screws each side in the flanges to hold them together.
You can also just run another row of track on top of the 8' length and essentially build a 4' wall on top of the 8' wall. You would need to screw the tracks together every 2' in a zigzag pattern over the length of the wall run.
It would be easiest, and best if you just got 12' studs however. There is nothing wrong with steel studs. I have installed millions of feet of them without any problems. I'm sure lots of people hated giving up there horses years ago for automobiles.......

**AtlanticWBConst.** · 07-06-2006, 06:22 PM

DaveH is absolutely right about that*....Just make sure that your sheetrock seam is not anywhere near where your steel track connection points are.

(* Even if he hates MR board

)

DaveH · 07-07-2006, 07:20 AM

Maybe I'll change my signature to...

DAVEH
Hates Green Board...:D