Article reviewed and updated on January 1st, 2025. I am one of the steel purchasing managers for US Frame Factory, and this is a read on the market.
Metal stud prices are expected to increase in Q1 of 2025. The two driving forces are looming tariffs by the Trump administration and an optimistic American economy which will likely drive up demand. The NYSE American Steel currently shows a 16 month low. Steel mills are increasing pricing.
Table of Contents
Drywall Metal Stud Pricing Per Linear Foot
20 gauge (18 mil EQ20)
3 5/8″ Stud
362S125-18
$0.46
3 5/8″ Track
362T125-18
$0.42
6″ Stud
600S125-18
$0.59
6″ Track
600T125-18
$0.56
25 Gauge (15 mil)
3 5/8″ Stud
362S125-18
$0.40
3 5/8″ Track
362T125-18
$0.37
6″ Stud
600S125-18
$0.51
6″ Track
600T125-18
$0.48
18-gauge Structural Metal Stud Prices per ft
362S162-43
3 5/8″ Stud
$1.20
362T200-43
3 5/8″ Track
$1.20
400S162-43
4″ Stud
$1.26
400T200-43
4″ Track
$1.26
600S162-43
6″ Stud
$1.53
600T200-43
6″ Track
$1.53
800S162-43
8″ Stud
$1.81
800T200-43
8″ Track
$1.81
1000S162-43
10″ Stud
$2.14
1000T200-43
10″ Track
$2.14
1200S162-43
12″ Stud
$2.42
1200T200-43
12″ Track
$2.42
16-gauge Structural Metal Stud Prices per ft
362S162-54
3 5/8″ Stud
$1.43
362T200-54
3 5/8″ Track
$1.43
400S162-54
4″ Stud
$1.52
400T200-54
4″ Track
$1.52
600S162-54
6″ Stud
$1.84
600T200-54
6″ Track
$1.84
800S162-54
8″ Stud
$2.18
800T200-54
8″ Track
$2.18
1000S162-54
10″ Stud
$2.59
1000T200-54
10″ Track
$2.59
1200S162-54
12″ Stud
$2.94
1200T200-54
12″ Track
$2.94
14-gauge Structural Metal Stud Prices per ft
362S162-68
3 5/8″ Stud
$1.77
362T200-68
3 5/8″ Track
$1.77
400S162-68
4″ Stud
$1.87
400T200-68
4″ Track
$1.87
600S162-68
6″ Stud
$2.28
600T200-68
6″ Track
$2.28
800S162-68
8″ Stud
$2.71
800T200-68
8″ Track
$2.71
1000S162-68
10″ Stud
$3.22
1000T200-68
10″ Track
$3.22
1200S162-68
12″ Stud
$3.66
1200T200-68
12″ Track
$3.66
Slip/Slotted Deflection Track Price per 10′ piece
362SLT250-33
$12.60
362SLT250-43
$15.50
362SLT250-54
$18.60
600SLT250-33
$15.50
600SLT250-43
$19.20
600SLT250-54
$23.10
12-gauge Structural Metal Stud Prices per ft
362S162-97
$3.87
362T200-97
$3.75
400S162-97
$4.06
400T200-97
$3.94
600S162-97
$5.04
600T200-97
$4.92
800S162-97
$6.02
800T200-97
$5.91
1000S162-97
$7.01
1000T200-97
$6.89
1200S162-97
$7.99
1200T200-97
$7.87
10-gauge Structural Metal Stud Prices per ft
362S162-118
$4.71
362T200-118
$4.56
400S162-118
$4.93
400T200-118
$4.79
600S162-118
$6.13
600T200-118
$5.99
800S162-118
$7.33
800T200-118
$7.18
1000S162-118
$8.53
1000T200-118
$8.38
1200S162-118
$9.72
1200T200-118
$9.58
18-gauge large flange size studs (2″,2.5″,3″,3.5″)
362S200-43
$1.39
400S200-43
$1.47
600S200-43
$1.77
800S200-43
$2.06
1000S200-43
$2.42
1200S200-43
$2.73
362S250-43
$1.58
400S250-43
$1.66
600S250-43
$1.96
800S250-43
$2.27
1000S250-43
$2.64
362S300-43
$2.32
400S300-43
$2.40
600S300-43
$2.84
800S300-43
$3.27
1000S300-43
$3.71
1200S300-43
$4.15
362S350-43
$2.54
400S350-43
$2.62
600S350-43
$3.05
800S350-43
$3.49
1000S350-43
$3.93
1200S350-43
$4.36
16-gauge large flange size studs (2″,2.5″,3″,3.5″)
362S200-54
$1.71
400S200-54
$1.80
600S200-54
$2.18
800S200-54
$2.55
1000S200-54
$3.00
1200S200-54
$3.39
362S250-54
$1.94
400S250-54
$2.04
600S250-54
$2.42
800S250-54
$2.81
1000S250-54
$3.27
362S300-54
$2.91
400S300-54
$3.01
600S300-54
$3.56
800S300-54
$4.11
1000S300-54
$4.66
1200S300-54
$5.21
362S350-54
$3.18
400S350-54
$3.29
600S350-54
$3.84
800S350-54
$4.38
1000S350-54
$4.93
1200S350-54
$5.48
14-gauge large flange size studs (2″,2.5″,3″,3.5″)
362S200-68
$2.11
400S200-68
$2.23
600S200-68
$2.70
800S200-68
$3.17
1000S200-68
$3.74
1200S200-68
$4.22
362S250-68
$2.40
400S250-68
$2.52
600S250-68
$3.01
800S250-68
$3.49
1000S250-68
$4.08
362S300-68
$3.66
400S300-68
$3.80
600S300-68
$4.49
800S300-68
$5.18
1000S300-68
$5.87
1200S300-68
$6.56
362S350-68
$4.01
400S350-68
$4.14
600S350-68
$4.83
800S350-68
$5.52
1000S350-68
$6.21
1200S350-68
$6.90
12-gauge large flange size studs (2″,2.5″,3″,3.5″)
362S200-97
$4.24
400S200-97
$4.43
600S200-97
$5.41
800S200-97
$6.40
1000S200-97
$7.38
1200S200-97
$8.37
362S250-97
$4.73
400S250-97
$4.92
600S250-97
$5.91
800S250-97
$6.89
1000S250-97
$7.87
362S300-97
$5.23
400S300-97
$5.41
600S300-97
$6.40
800S300-97
$7.38
1000S300-97
$8.37
1200S300-97
$9.35
362S350-97
$5.72
400S350-97
$5.91
600S350-97
$6.89
800S350-97
$7.87
1000S350-97
$8.86
1200S350-97
$9.84
10-gauge large flange size studs (2″,2.5″,3″,3.5″)
362S200-118
$5.16
400S200-118
$5.39
600S200-118
$6.59
800S200-118
$7.78
1000S200-118
$8.98
1200S200-118
$10.18
362S250-118
$5.76
400S250-118
$5.99
600S250-118
$7.18
800S250-118
$8.38
1000S250-118
$9.58
362S300-118
$6.36
400S300-118
$6.59
600S300-118
$7.78
800S300-118
$8.98
1000S300-118
$10.18
1200S300-118
$11.37
362S350-118
$6.96
400S350-118
$7.18
600S350-118
$8.38
800S350-118
$9.58
1000S350-118
$10.78
1200S350-118
$11.97
Steel Framing Accessories
RC1 (12′)
Resilient Channel
$4.32
RC-2 (12″)
Resilient Channel
$5.08
150U50-43 (16′)
U-CHANNEL (CRC)
$8.73
150U50-54 (16′)
U-CHANNEL (CRC)
$12.14
87F125-23 (10′)
7/8″ Furring Channel
$4.00
150F125-30 (10′)
1.5″ Furring Channel
$11.00
Why Metal Studs Aren’t Widely Used in Residential Construction?
While metal studs offer several advantages, they haven’t fully replaced wood studs in residential construction due to a combination of factors:
Cost
Initial cost: Metal studs and associated materials (screws, fasteners) are generally more expensive than wood.
Labor cost: Installation can be more labor-intensive due to the need for specialized tools and techniques.
Skillset: Most construction workers are more experienced with wood framing, which can lead to slower construction times or higher labor costs for metal stud projects.
Perceived Strength
Misconception: There’s a common misconception that metal studs are weaker than wood, although this is generally not true when properly engineered.
Regional Preferences
Tradition: Wood framing has been the standard for decades, and many builders and homeowners are comfortable with this traditional method.
It’s important to note that these factors are gradually changing. As technology improves and costs decrease, metal studs are becoming more viable for residential construction. In fact, they are increasingly used in certain regions or for specific building types, such as multi-family dwellings and high-rise buildings.
What are the disadvantages of metal studs?
Higher cost: Both materials and labor are generally more expensive than wood. Thermal bridging: Metal conducts heat, leading to potential energy loss. Specialized tools and labor: Installation requires specific tools and skills. Limited availability: Fewer size options compared to wood. Drywall attachment: Requires more effort and specific screws. Potential noise: Can amplify sound transmission. Environmental impact: Higher embodied energy compared to wood.
