Steel structure buildings are becoming excellent alternatives to old concrete-based buildings. Not only are they cost-effective, but they make buildings strong and more reliable. Light gauge steel framing is a popular technology used in making these steel buildings. However, many people don’t know “what is light gauge steel framing?”
Primarily, they misunderstand it as a whole new method for building. Interestingly, processes or technologies help produce these steel components from cold-formed steel. As a result, these components are lightweight, thin, yet exceptionally strong. Simply put, these buildings have low weight but excellent strength. This article will discuss LGSF comprehensively.
What Is Light Gauge Steel Framing (LGSF)?
LGSF represents “Light Gauge Steel Framing”. It is a method of construction that quickly replaces timber-based construction.
Light Gauge Steel Framing is a technology used to make steel buildings. It involves formed steel sheets (1 to 3mm), which are thin and lightweight. It uses steel studs, tracks, and joists that make the primary skeleton of the buildings. These steel components are made in a workshop using advanced machines. They are then assembled on-site to make steel buildings.
In the late 1800s, wood was commonly used to build shelters and buildings. However, in the early 1920s, the concept of LGSF was developed in North America. Later, it also became popular in Europe and other parts of the world due to its effectiveness. This manufacturing method uses only cold-formed steel, making it unique.
Interestingly, the regular steel used in fabrication is hot-rolled. This means it is stronger, tougher, and heavier, with some thickness. However, the cold-formed steel made at room temperature is exceptionally lightweight. Despite being thin and lightweight, this steel is highly strong. Obviously, it is far superior and stronger than wood or timber.
Dedicated rollers (machines) are used to produce steel in various profiles and shapes. The steel coils or sheets undergo rolling into steel components. Remember, manufacturers can easily make desired shapes using advanced CNC-based rolling machines. As a result, they get steel components such as steel studs, tracks, joists, and roof trusses.
These components are precise in size and dimension and match the initial drawings. Once made, they are transported to on-site locations for their assembly. These structures make up the whole skeleton of the buildings. Those structures that withstand loads are made of high thickness, i.e., 3mm. On the other hand, secondary structures are thinner by 1 to 2mm.
Components of Light Gauge Steel Frame
Light Gauge Steel Framing makes steel buildings using multiple components. Each of these components has its key role in making a steel building reliable and robust. In the section below, I will discuss the most important components used in making a light gauge steel frame:
- Steel Studs: These parts are vertically oriented and can be either U- or C-shaped. Their role is to distribute the building’s weight. As a result, the load or weight is carefully distributed to the buildings’ foundations. Additionally, they build walls that strengthen buildings.
- Tracks (Two Types): Without tracks, steel studs cannot remain fixed in their positions. Tracks help connect the studs and give them stability. Top tracks are installed on the roof and connect to the top studs. Lower tracks are installed on the floor and connect the lower studs.
- Floor Joists: As the name suggests, floor joists support the floor. How? The reason is that it distributes the weight to the steel studs and tracks. As a result, the load, instead of affecting a single spot, is distributed, making the floor secure. Floor joists are typically made from 3 mm sheets and have a Z- or C-shaped profile.
- Roof Trusses: These are steel components used to construct roofs. Generally, they are a network of steel pieces assembled. They also transfer the roof load to the buildings’ foundations. Manufacturers use galvanized steel to make roof trusses.
Quick Highlight: All the parts are connected and secured through fasteners or connectors. These include screws, bolts, and more. Additionally, each steel building includes cladding. The purpose of cladding is to give a finished look to a steel frame. Manufacturers use insulation panels or sheets to make buildings secure.
How Does an Light Gauge Steel Framing System Work?
Light Gauge Steel Framing may involve straightforward manufacturing techniques. However, it is not, since it involves multiple steps to produce the final frame. In the section below, I will discuss each of these steps:
1- Designing & Layout Formation
Light gauge steel framing starts with the concept and design. For this, dedicated designers use CAD software to make a layout. This layout indicates size, dimension, and overall network of components. The size of each steel component used to make the frame is specified in this layout. Remember, designers make layouts considering many factors. These include the building’s intended use cases, wind loads, and more. The layout is not only visually appealing but also practical to achieve.
2- Steel Components Pre-Fabrication
Once the design is complete, the next step is to fabricate the steel components. As previously mentioned, the light gauge steel frame is made of individual components. These components are assembled to make the final frame. In this step, manufacturers use steel coils. These coils are passed through high-end CNC-based roller machines. These machines make components of the desired size, i.e., U, V, etc. As a result, they get parts such as steel studs, steel tracks, and so on. The use of CNC-advanced rollers ensures precision when shaping steel sheets. Remember, fabricators prefer galvanized steel for making these components.
3- On-Site Assembly of Components
Once steel components are manufactured, the next step is to transport them to the site. As I said earlier, the steel components are made in the workshop. They are sent on-site for their assembly. During assembly, the bottom tracks are first placed on the concrete foundations. The vertical steel studs are then mounted on these bottom tracks.
These steel studs form the walls and the frame. These steel components are secured to one another with dedicated fasteners. If the building has multiple floors, then you’ll have to use steel joists to stabilize the lower floor. This way, the first floor can withstand the load of the upper floors. Experts handle this process because on-site installation requires precision. A small mistake can lead to a weaker steel building.
4- Finishing & Cladding
Assembling the steel components will make a frame. However, this frame is not a complete building and cannot be used for any purpose. Therefore, you’ll have to follow this fourth step, which is about finishing. In this step, the cladding is done to turn the steel skeleton into a functional steel building. You will have to use gypsum board or metal sheets to cover the walls. Ideally, high-quality insulation panels should be used to ensure the building is moisture-resistant.
Cladding is useful not only for protecting buildings but also for making them look visually attractive. Once the walls are covered with panels, it is time to cover the roof. For this, you’ll need to use panels and secure them to the roof trusses. This will ensure your steel building is securely fastened on all sides. After this step, your building made of cold-formed steel will be ready for use for various purposes.
Heavy VS Light Gauge Steel Framing
When it comes to steel buildings, there are two popular construction methods. These include:
- Heavy Steel Framing
- Lightweight Gauge Steel Framing
Heavy steel framing is a method used to build large steel buildings for factories. Additionally, their use is common in the construction of steel-based bridges. This method uses hot-rolled steel to construct various structures. The steel is first heated at a high temperature (400 degrees Celsius). This heating makes steel both more durable and heavier.
After that, the steel undergoes rolling processes to form beams, columns, and other components. These parts are assembled to make large buildings. Interestingly, buildings built by this method are heavy-duty, strong, and withstand harsh loads with ease. On the flip side, a light-gauge steel frame is different. How?
The reason is that this method uses steel that is not hot-rolled. Instead, steel undergoes a rolling process (on roller machines) at a lower temperature, known as cold rolling. This lower temperature not only increases the steel’s strength but also keeps it lightweight. This cold steel is shaped to make different parts and components.
These components are then assembled to make the final buildings. Since the steel parts used are not very strong, these buildings are only suitable for residential purposes. Light-gauge steel framing cannot be used for bridges or for heavy-duty factories. Note that heavy steel framing is difficult because it requires heavy-duty parts. Transporting and assembling such parts becomes very difficult.
In contrast, light-gauge steel frames use lightweight sheets to make buildings. Transporting and assembling these sheets to build a steel building is easy and time-saving. Above all, light-gauge steel framing is a less costly method than heavy steel framing. However, the con is that buildings made by this method are not exceptionally rugged and have a lower load-bearing capacity.
Advantages of Light Gauge Steel Framing (LGSF)
Light Gauge Steel Framing (LGSF) is unique compared to regular steel buildings. It uses thin, lightweight cold-formed steel in its manufacturing process. This steel makes the building both cost-effective and lightweight. Let’s discuss some key advantages of Light Gauge Steel Framing (LGSF) in the section below.
1- High Strength-to-Weight Ratio
As previously mentioned, light gauge steel framing uses thin steel sheets. These sheets are very lightweight; however, their structural strength is excellent. This means components made from these steel sheets are robust. They can easily withstand extreme loads and stress, even under harsh conditions. As a result, buildings constructed with LGSF are reliable and offer an excellent strength-to-weight ratio.
2- Faster Construction Time
Timber-based buildings use a high amount of wood, right? Building these buildings is both time-consuming and requires extensive on-site labor. In contrast, light gauge steel framing offers the quickest way to build steel buildings. All the steel components are made from steel sheets in the workshops. Once made, they are transported to the site and assembled quickly. This way, you get a durable, resilient steel structure building very fast.
3- Accuracy and Precision
This steel building manufacturing process uses the steel sheets (coils). Rollers (machines) are used to bend and form the desired shapes from long steel sheets. Interestingly, rollers or machines used in this process are very advanced and CNC-based. So they work with precision when fabricating steel sheets. As a result, manufacturers receive precise steel parts that improve the quality of buildings made from these sheets.
4- Resilient & Durable (Fire, Pest, and Rot Resistance)
Buildings made of both concrete and timber are not very durable. They are prone to fire, pests, and moisture, especially if made of timber. As a result, these buildings cannot be reliable in the long run. Conversely, buildings made from light gauge steel framing are highly resilient and long-lasting. They are made of steel that resists fire, pests, and moisture. Additionally, manufacturers use galvanized light gauge steel sheet to enhance its corrosion resistance. They are an ideal option for use in the harshest conditions.
5- Design & Structural Flexibility
Light gauge steel framing is a very flexible technology. How? That’s because it lets you quickly change the building layout for users. For example, you can make modifications to a pre-made CAD file. This way, you get more control over the manufacturing process, resulting in the building you dream of. As said above, steel components are made in a workshop.
So if you change your mind in the middle of a project, you can increase or decrease the size of each component. This will eventually help you adjust the overall size of your steel building. You can modify the floor, add windows, and do whatever you like in both timber and concrete buildings. You don’t have that kind of flexibility, especially in the middle of the project.
6- Cost-Effective (in the Long Run) & Sustainable
One thing that makes LGSF stand out is its high sustainability and eco-friendliness. This technology uses cold-formed steel sheets. Steel is easily recycled, making it eco-friendly. On the flip side, timber buildings are not sustainable. They use wood from cutting trees, which affects the overall environment.
Additionally, these cold-formed steel sheets are thin, having a total thickness of 1 to 3 mm. These steel sheets are expensive, but they prove to be cost-effective in the long run. Why? That’s because they make durable steel buildings. You won’t have to spend anything on them for regular maintenance. In contrast, timber buildings require maintenance due to termite attack.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Light Gauge Steel last?
Generally, light gauge steel can last over 40 years. However, you can extend its lifespan to 60 years by maintaining it through polishing and painting.
What are the disadvantages of Light Gauge Steel Framing?
First, light gauge steel is quite expensive. This means you’ll need substantial initial investments to build steel buildings. Additionally, thin steel sheets can lose strength when exposed to fire for extended periods. However, these sheets maintain their integrity for short-term exposure to fire.
Is light gauge steel framing more expensive than wood framing?
Yes. Light gauge steel is expensive, which makes this process costly. This process is complex and requires highly skilled designers, engineers, and fabricators. This means you’ll have to pay more to these professionals in LGSF. On the other hand, wood framing is inexpensive, and anyone with some experience can make timber buildings. So there is less labor cost in wood framing.
Can I use LGSF in multi-story buildings?
Yes. Light gauge steel framing can be useful for constructing multi-story buildings. For this, you’ll need steel joists that will efficiently handle the loads of the second floor. This way, these joists will increase the stability and strength of the 1st floor.
Conclusion
Let’s conclude – Light Gauge Steel Framing is an excellent construction method. It helps in making durable steel buildings from cold-formed steel. This steel is very thin and light, with a thickness of 1 to 3 mm. Despite their lightweight nature, these sheets have excellent structural strength. As a result, buildings made from steel sheets are strong and last for decades.