Your basements should never be left out when you decide to improve your living spaces. Though they are mainly used for storing extra stuff, basements can become so much more, if you put your mind into it. Often times, homeowners would convert this space into an extra room which can satisfy their hobby, leisure, or need. However, not everyone can spend on this luxury immediately and will have to look for an alternative. Luckily, at Superior Remodelers, we have a simple solution for you.
Metal is lighter than wood and takes up half the space that lumber does, because of its hollowed shape. In this way, it’s much easier to transport and store metal instead of wood. Metal has no sawdust, and it’s far easier to just get a metal-cutting saw blade to cut. Just make sure to clean up any pieces on the floor.
Steel framing is far easier to handle because the steel weighs far less than wood (a third less) and are attached with screws, meaning easy removal if you made a mistake.
Wood is vulnerable to twisting and warping, especially during cold or rainy weather. Wood, when moist, attracts mold and other unpleasant things, such as insects. Over time, wood can also rot, while metal will stand the test of time. Whichever material you choose, you must get a vapor barrier, or sill gasket installed between the bottom plate and concrete floor.
With wooden studs, you risk getting carpenter ants and termites eating through the studs. Metal is a far superior option in this regard, and unlike wood, metal doesn’t burn and getting metal studs means that the wall is, in a way, fireproof.
Between the two, wood is sturdier than metal, until it’s been screwed in with drywall. When it has, it turns b and rigid. Meanwhile, metal can only be used on non-load-bearing walls, while for wood, it’s possible to add more structural support.
Metal framing can also be seen as an environmentally-friendly alternative to wood, but both have good and bad points.
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