Which is better to use when finishing a basement metal or wood studs?

Answer 1

Have used both.

Wood
- need to use pressure treated for any place that its touches cement.
- tendancy to warp - have a stud bar to straghten twisted studs or you''ll be sorry when you get to the dry wall.
- a bit harder to keep strait an plum. the best wood moves as the moisture content changes.
- cheaper and only need mainstream tools(hammer, nails, saw)

Steel
- more expensive - in Ohio they go for about $5.25 each compared to wood that is about $3.50
- no food for potential mold(unlike untreated wood)
- consistant quality - can build plumb and straight
- some learning surve - once you get the hang of it its actually easier and faster than using wood.
- need some adidtional tools - tin ships, stud crimper(preferred), metal cutting blade for saw.


Summary: I've used both and preferr steel. You can do a higher quality job with steel. As far as rust - if its damp enough to rust metal in your basement than wood will get mold. Proper building techniques will prevent both.

Other pointers - never build your interior wall directly against the foundation wall. Put 1" - 2" inches of XPS Foam against foundation wall and leave a gap between that and your interior wall studs of at least 1/4" - to allow air movement and any moisture to evaporate. Insultae between the studs with R14 - never put a vapor barrier in your wall below ground.

Refer to http://www.buildingscience.ca/ for some valuable information on basments and mositure control.

Answer 2

Metal studs are better for coastal homes, as they stand up better to storms & hurricanes than wood. Coastal homes built on wooden studs/supports, also tend to fall during bad storms faster than ones on metal ones. Also, metal is better in places where you have frequent earthquakes. You however will need to ask about the stud & foundation latches you will have to add, if you are in an earthquake prone area. These allow the foundation & studs to move/give during an earthquake, so there is less damage to the home. There are codes you would also have to meet with such a home in an earthquake prone ares, such as California. What you want to ask yourself is, can I afford metal studs. Then decide from there, they are far more expensive than wooden ones. Most contractors generally use either concrete or wood in drier climates, and concrete & metal in damper ones. The wood is treated for studs, so you don't have to worry about pest errosion. IF however you choose to use wooden ones, use something like CEDAR [which ALL bugs HATE even termites], which lasts for decades before having to be replaced. Cedar also will get a BEAUTIFUL silver patina to it as it ages. I myself prefer a cinder block foundation of studding, it can be water proofed for basements. It is also far cheaper. HOWEVER if the basement is already there and you are going to use it for a living space? I would use the wood, or you can use metal and paint a Faux Finish on them to make them look like wood, stone, or anything else. This way you can make them be a DETAIL in the room, instead of simply a support for the home. ROAD TIES are also very nice for a Rustic Look, they are not too expensive and can be treated, and they can also be split & placed [split side inward] on walls & the basement ceiling to make it look even more rustic. IF you choose metal, you can paint the studs with a good Rustolium paint, and they will not rust. You will need to apply a good 3 layer coat, this way you will not have to repaint as often, as the paint wears.

Answer 3

Metal studs are better for coastal homes, as they stand up better to storms & hurricanes than wood. Coastal homes built on wooden studs/supports, also tend to fall during bad storms faster than ones on metal ones. Also, metal is better in places where you have frequent earthquakes. You however will need to ask about the stud & foundation latches you will have to add, if you are in an earthquake prone area. These allow the foundation & studs to move/give during an earthquake, so there is less damage to the home. There are codes you would also have to meet with such a home in an earthquake prone ares, such as California.

What you want to ask yourself is, can I afford metal studs. Then decide from there, they are far more expensive than wooden ones.

Most contractors generally use either concrete or wood in drier climates, and concrete & metal in damper ones. The wood is treated for studs, so you don't have to worry about pest errosion. IF however you choose to use wooden ones, use something like CEDAR [which ALL bugs HATE even termites], which lasts for decades before having to be replaced. Cedar also will get a BEAUTIFUL silver patina to it as it ages.

I myself prefer a cinder block foundation of studding, it can be water proofed for basements. It is also far cheaper.

HOWEVER if the basement is already there and you are going to use it for a living space? I would use the wood, or you can use metal and paint a Faux Finish on them to make them look like wood, stone, or anything else. This way you can make them be a DETAIL in the room, instead of simply a support for the home. ROAD TIES are also very nice for a Rustic Look, they are not too expensive and can be treated, and they can also be split & placed [split side inward] on walls & the basement ceiling to make it look even more rustic.

IF you choose metal, you can paint the studs with a good Rustolium paint, and they will not rust. You will need to apply a good 3 layer coat, this way you will not have to repaint as often, as the paint wears.

Answer 4

I've used both, and each has its' advantages. However, there are two arguements in favor of metal that no one has mentioned. One is the clean up afterwards. There is virtually none using metal. No sawdust anywhere! No wood chips, no splinters, no sawed off ends, nothing! The second point is that you will never have to worry about warping studs. Your walls should come out dead straight, and stay that way.

Answer 5

Use U channel (metal) for the floor and ceiling, then use wood studs, U channels come in various sizes 10x1.58", 10x2.58", 10x3.58" to complement the studs 2x2, 2x3, 2x4, also be very careful cutting the U channel, if cement flooring you will need a cement nailing gun, or a masonry bit and cement fasteners to fasten the U channel to the floor for the ceiling use 1.58" drywall screws, also use moister resistant sheet rock is more expensive but worth the money.

Answer 6

Use wood, or else trim, pictures, etc will be a pain in theass later on. Metal has no real advantage over wood, except that it doesn't burn. Use treated wood for firring out masonry walls and bottom plates. Everything else, just use regular lumber.

Answer 7

For finishing a basement, either is a good choice. I prefer metal in this application, because it's cheaper. Metal is a little more labor intensive if you don't reguarly work with it. But it is well worth the savings. PLUS....termites don't eat metal!

Answer 8

They can be wood, but if they're in a basement where they are subject to moisture, they need to be pressure-treated, then they will generally last for many decades.

Answer 9

just framed my basement,out of all wood,very sturdy,they say wood will rot,but metal will rust,just go with wood,its alot easier to install,if your worried about moisture,use pressure treated wood on the bottom plate

Answer 10

From the below website:
"Having worked with both materials, I believe that one is not necessarily better than the other. It basically comes down to personal preference. "

I would recommend looking at the following website and seeing what works best for you:
http://www.thumbandhammer.com/diy/framing.html

Hope this helps,
Ken