How To Integrate Cold-Formed Steel Framing On Your Next Multi-Family Construction Project

Are you missing efficiency and better ROI opportunities in your multi-family construction project?

Here’s how to integrate cold-formed steel framing.

Everything from affordable apartment complexes to military housing to luxury condominiums is ideal for CFS framing.

The repetitive nature of such projects, with floor after floor of more or less identical framing assemblies and layouts, makes cold-formed steel the perfect choice to build cost-effectively.

Many developers, builders, and architects may not realize all the opportunities and benefits of cold-formed steel framing, especially in multi-family projects, even though it has been around for decades.

Safe & efficient structural solution

Cold-formed steel is the safe and efficient structural solution for developers looking to have a superior return on investment. It has a shorter cycle time than most other construction options. Cold-formed steel’s consistent material quality and flexibility in design lend themselves well to any project.

Learn more about how cold-formed steel can impact your next multi-family project with these resources:

1

Download the latest cold-formed steel code compliance documents.

North American Specifications for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members, from the American Iron and Steel Institute. Download
2

Download the latest cold-formed steel technical guides.

  • Steel Takes LEED® with Recycled Content Download
  • Mold: One More Reason to Build with Steel Framing Download
  • Durability of Light Steel Framing in Residential Building Download
  • Introduction to Sustainability and Green Building Download
  • A Guide to Fire & Acoustic Data for Cold-Formed Steel Floor, Wall & Roof Assemblies Download
  • Terminate The Termites Download
  • Durability of Cold-Formed Steel Framing Members Download
3

Specify steel.

Cold-formed steel has many advantages:

  • Cold-formed steel studs and trusses don’t sustain damage due to the elements if exposed on a job site.
  • Steel does not warp, shrink, or crack. It remains straight and true throughout the structure’s life.
  • Steel is 100% noncombustible.
4

Value engineer the walls.

Cold-formed steel walls can be adjusted for each floor of the structure. Walls on lower levels can use cold-formed steel studs with greater thicknesses than those on upper levels. This type of value engineering reduces the overall project cost because the steel thicknesses can be reduced as each floor is added.
5

Use the best floor system.

Cold-formed steel floors come in all different shapes and sizes. Standard CFS floor joists and proprietary joist products are manufactured with large punchouts to accommodate standard HVAC ductwork and plumbing.
6

Coordinate with the trades.

The right kind of upfront planning can speed up workflow, avoid clashes, and trim the man-hours required to complete the project. Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) contractors and the framing contractor can review the location of toilet traps, mechanical returns, and main trunk locations. They can verify and align the knockout diameters they need within floor joists.

Building Information Modeling helps resolve problems before they occur if available on a project.

7

Order studs cut to length. Or panelize.

Encourage your framing contractor to order cold-formed steel studs cut to length for wall studs and floor joists.

Depending on project size, another effective and efficient solution is to consider panelizing (meaning the components are pre-assembled in a controlled manufacturing environment).

Build lasting structures.

For more information about utilizing cold-formed steel framing and increasing a project’s return on investment in multi-family, load-bearing applications, reach out for our assistance.