A building’s frame is constructed of a series of walls and planes that are essentially placed in a three-dimensional grid. The frame is, in essence, the skeleton of the building. It not only gives it the strength it needs to support weight, but it also helps to give the building it’s general shape. A solid frame is absolutely essential to the overall integrity of the building, which is why framing is one of the most important components of any commercial construction sequence.
Metal stud framing offers several advantages over traditional wood framing, and it’s often a popular choice when it comes to complex commercial buildings. However, proper installation is the key to unlocking the many benefits of this style of framing. Below, we’ll tell you all about the benefits of metal stud framing and how you can find the right commercial subcontractor to support your San Diego area commercial construction project.
Why Choose Metal Stud Framing
Metal stud framing is made up of horizontal and vertical pieces of cold-formed steel components, which consist of a stud and a track. There are two primary types of metal framing. Heavy gauge studs are used to support exterior and load-bearing walls, while light gauge studs are used on interior walls and partitions.
Commercial developers often turn to metal stud framing for several reasons:
- Durability – Metal stud framing is more durable and better suited to withstand natural diasters, and it’s less susceptible to moisture, rot, or pests. The durability of metal framing makes it a better choice when developing tall buildings like office towers.
- Lightweight – Metal framing is surprisingly versatile and lightweight. It’s often easier to transport than wood.
- Fire Ratings and Insurance Premiems – Metal framing is non-combustible, which offers better fire ratings and lower insurance premiums. This is especially important in areas of California which are at a higher risk for wildfires.
- Easy Material Selection – Metal framing does not need to be cut or sort, which makes the material selection process much easier.
While there are many benefits to choosing metal stud framing for your project, there are a couple of cons too. Metal stud framing is often more expensive and less energy efficient than wood framing.
Nobody Does Metal Framing Quite Like Unique Building Group (UBG)
While metal stud framing offers many benefits, finding highly skilled commercial subcontractors to install it is a common challenge for developers. There aren’t many contractors on the market who have the experience and expertise to do this job at scale, especially when it comes to large, complex buildings.
Choosing the right commercial subcontractor to install metal stud framing is very important. You’ll have a difficult time finding a commercial subcontractor in the San Diego area that does metal stud framing better than UBG. Here are some reasons why we’re widely considered one of the best in the business:
- We Complete Jobs On-Time and On-Budget
General contractors that choose UBG to do metal framing can expect the project to be done on-time and on-budget, every time. We’ve been in this business for a long time, and we know what it takes to complete a job with precision. You can expect a high-performing commercial subcontractor that settles for nothing less than perfection. - We’re One of the Safest Firms Around
At UBG, we’re proud of our excellent safety record, which we’ve earned by implementing robust safety protocols and a culture of accountability. Safety is everyone’s responsibility, and we do everything possible to ensure our workers and our partner’s teams are safe on the job site. - We’re an Extension of Your Team
When working on a job, we do everything possible to make the entire project a success. This often means partnering with general contractors, developers, and other subcontractors to develop creative solutions to challenging problems or stepping out of sequence to help support the overall project timeline. - We Leverage New Technology to Improve Efficiency
Technology continues to improve construction safety and performance, and UBG is constantly evaluating and adopting new solutions. Aerial drones allow us to install metal stud framing with precision by gaining a birds-eye view of the project. We leverage wearable tech to improve safety and new software solutions to improve budgeting and estimating.
UBG has installed metal framing for some of the San Diego’s most innovative buildings. If you’re looking for Southern California’s best framing subcontractor, get in touch with the team at UBG today.