US Frame Factory specializes in suppling metal framing studs and other steel building accessories all over the state of Florida. We are a manufacturer that sells directly to framing subcontractors, general contractors, and developers. Our products are structural metal studs, non-structural drywall studs, and all other needed accessories.
We believe there are a variety of compelling reasons to just build with metal framing in Florida whether it just be just a single family home or a multi-story high-rise.
Table of Contents
Why buy metal studs from us?
- Fast lead times on custom cut studs all studs are cut to order and typically fulfilled in under a week.
- Online Portal for instant quotes.
- Wholesale Pricing we are a manufacturer direct to end user with competitive pricing.
Where to buy?
Structural Metal Studs & tracks
Profile Specifications (inches)
- Stud Web Sizes A : 2.5, 3.5, 3.63, 4.00, 5.5, 6.00, 8.00, 10.00, 12.00
- Stud Flange Sizes B : 1.63, 2.0, 2.50, 3.00, 3.50, 4.00
- Stud Lips Size C : .63
- Track Inside Width X : 3.63, 3.75, 4.13, 6.13, 8.13, 10.13, 12.13
- Track height Y : Max 4.00
- Thickness t : 0.033 to 0.098 (12 gauge to 20 gauge)
Standard Material Specifications
- AISI S100-12, ASTM A1008 and ASTM 653
- 50+ KSI yield and tensile strength for 12 gauge, 14, gauge and 16 gauge.
- 33+ KSI yield and tensile strength for 18 gauge, 20 gauge(50+ ksi plus available on request)
- Grade 33 and Grade 50
- Galvanized coating G60 or G90
Technical Data
- AISI S100-12 North American Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel
- A1008/A1008M − 18 Specification for Steel, Sheet, Cold-Rolled, Carbon, Structural, High-Strength Low-Alloy, High-Strength Low-Alloy with Improved Formability
- ASTM 653 Standard Specification for Steel Sheet, Zinc-Coated (Galvanized) or Zinc-Iron AlloyCoated (Galvannealed) by the Hot-Dip Process
Drywall Studs and Tracks
Profile Specifications (inches)
- Stud Web Sizes A : 1.63, 2.50, 3.63, 4.00, 6.0
- Stud Flange Sizes B : 1.25
- Stud Lips Size C : 0.20
- Track Inside Width X : 1.70, 2.56, 3.70, 4.07, 6.07
- Track height Y : Max 1.25
- Thickness t : 0.015 to 0.033 (25 gauge to 20 gauge)
Standard Material Specifications
- 50+ KSI yield and tensile strength for 0.018 mil and 0.015 mil.
- 33+ KSI yield and tensile strength for 0.023 mil (50+ ksi plus available on request)
- Grade 33 or Grade 50
- Galvanized coating G40 or equivalent corrosion protection
Technical Data
- North American Standard for Cold-Formed Steel Framing – Nonstructural Members AISI-S220-15-S220-15-C_s
- Standard Specification for Nonstructural Steel Framing Members ASTMC645
Steel Framing Accessories
- 7/8 Furring Channel – 25 to 18 GA
- Slotted / Deflection Track
- Slotted & Deflection Clips
- Sound Reduction Resilient Channel (RC-1)
- Bridging Cold-rolled channel
- Flat Strapping and X Bracing (2″ to 16″ any gauge)
Commercial Building Practices using Metal Framing in Florida
Building in Florida presents challenges due to hurricane winds and high humidity. Several of Florida’s most populous cities are located in HVHZ (high-velocity hurricane zones), necessitating a robust building code. This code requires engineers to design structures for high wind loads, and builders must ensure the use of top-quality vapor barriers . The Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation regularly adds new stipulations to the code, often leading to the use of a combined concrete and metal construction approach. This involves concrete for structural support and metal stud walls for non-load-bearing walls(curtain walls), as shown in the image below.
In addition to the light-gauge steel walls, the hotel build employs concrete masonry unit (CMU) walls and a hollow-core slab floor system. The exterior studs used here are 18-gauge.
Another way to build commercial buildings is to use a combination of light-gauge steel and structural red iron. To achieve tall wall heights (30 feet or more), builders utilize higher gauges such as 12 gauge and 14 gauge.
South Florida/Miami-Dade County Steel Framing
Miami-Dade County building codes are some of the most comprehensive in the country. The county is particularly strict when it comes to framing with structural steel, requiring structural metal studs to have G90 coatings or higher (the national standard is G60). For framing interiors in Miami/Fort Lauderdale, the most common gage for drywall studs is 25. This differs from the 20-gauge studs used in most of North America for commercial interiors. Among the other general requirements are:
- Concrete block structure on the first floor
- Hurricane tie-downs
- Hip roof
- Impact windows/window coverings
- Garage door bracing
North Florida/Central Florida building regulations
Building in central/north Florida is more lax. Builders are able to use more wood than in other locations. Older cities like Pensacola and Panama City allow builders to get away with building entirely with wood. However, I believe there is a compelling argument to switch primarily to steel and concrete due to insurance costs.
Optimizing Steel Framing Construction
Florida’s unique climate demands resilient construction. Metal framing offers compelling advantages for projects of all sizes, from single-family homes to high-rises. These advantages include:
- Foundation savings: Light-gauge steel is significantly lighter than wood and concrete, potentially reducing the amount of concrete needed for your foundation.
- Corrosion and humidity resistance: Metal studs offer superior resistance to corrosion and humidity, promoting a longer building lifespan.
We hope you choose us for your metal framing in Florida.
Sales Team
Mark King | Sales Director: mark@usframefactory.com
Daniel Holland | Technical Sales Engineer: daniel@usframefactory.com