Adding Wood Studs To Metal Studs

Pete wyckoff

I'm building a 12'x19' room in a warehouse. The existing framing is done with metal studs. The room is in the corner , so I only have to build 2 walls and the ceiling... and attach them to the existing walls. I was going to put up a ledger and use straps to secure the ceiling joists to the existing wall, but I'm afraid that the metal studs won't handle the weight. My client wants the room to be built as cheaply as possible... it will be removed when they leave. I just want it to be safe. Drop ceiling is out of the question for them.

JonM

Your terminology is alll over the board...but from what I gather you need a ceiling...Put in a suspended ceiling or just use metal joists for the ceiling.

precisionbuild

Build the walls with metal and do what Jon said for the ceiling.

7/16" 0r 1/2" panhead screws.

ScipioAfricanus

Yup, put in a suspended T-bar ceiling, it is very light, you can use the metal joists maybe 4' O.C. like Jon said and just wire the T-bar to that.

Andy.

loneframer

If you can't do a grid ceiling, frame new walls with 2x4s, and either double the existing metal studs with wood to attach the ledger for your CJs, or fir the face of the metal studs with 2x on the flat to support the ledger if mechanicals are in the wall.

KennMacMoragh

If the building has metal studs already, then chances are you're not allowed to use wood inside that building. You'd have to figure out the occupancy type of that building and then look in the code book to see if wood is allowed.

The way I picture what you're doing, the warehouse ceiling is a lot higher than the ceiling you want in the room? So you probably don't want a suspended ceiling. You can buy load bearing metal studs for your walls that would be able to support your ceiling. At a certain gauge thickness, the metal studs are considered load bearing, I forget what that thickness is. Someone on here posted a guide to metal framing, which was pretty informative, it tells you how to build a load bearing wall with metal studs. It's in these forums somewhere.

Mud Master

If you can't have AC/ACT, just use Armstrongs drywall ceiling system. Installs like a drop ceiling, With angle moulding, hanger wire & main/cross tees. Some of the newer versions have pre-punched holes for hanger wire & cross tee placement @ 13 1/2" o.c.

Complies with ASTM C1063 and can handle up to one layer 5/8 GWB.

I don't recommend installing wood framing in a warehouse, aside from the more than likely fire code violation, warehouse construction is considered industrial construction and must be constructed using metal studs min. 25g, however if using the drywall ceiling system, 3 5/8 20g studs min. are required to hold the weight of the GWB.

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