Metal studs have proven themselves as a worthy alternative to traditional wood framing for homeowners and contractors alike. Current 2025 pricing shows metal stud framing materials running about $2 to $4 per square foot, while complete installation costs typically fall between $3.50 to $7.50 per square foot depending on your location’s labor market.
What does this mean for your project? Framing a typical 12×12 bedroom might cost $800–$1,200 while tackling an entire 1,500 square foot home would run approximately $5,250–$11,250. Projects needing thicker gauge metal and exterior wall applications will push you toward the higher end of these ranges.
The cost advantage of metal has grown since lumber prices first spiked in 2021. Beyond just saving money, metal framing brings benefits wood can’t match — incredible durability, resistance to fire, and total immunity to termites.
Let me walk you through what metal studs will really cost for your specific needs, how they compare to wood framing, and whether they make sense for your next building project.
This site receives compensation from the companies featured in this listing, which may impact where and how products appear. This listing doesn’t feature all companies, products, or offers that may be available.
Metal Stud Framing Cost
While metal studs typically range from $2–$4 per square foot, the price will vary depending on the application and area you install them, as we show in the table below:
| Application Type | Metal Stud Gauge | Cost Per Square Foot (Materials Only) | Installed Cost Per Square Foot |
| Interior non-load bearing walls | 25-gauge (lightweight) | $2.00–$2.50 | $3.50–$5.00 |
| Interior load-bearing walls | 20-gauge (medium) | $2.50–$3.25 | $4.50–$6.25 |
| Exterior walls | 18-gauge (heavy-duty) | $3.25–$4.00 | $5.50–$7.50 |
Metal vs. Wood Framing Cost Comparison
Heavy-duty (18-gauge) steel studs for exterior walls seem expensive, but how does its cost compare to traditional wood studs? In most cases, it is actually less expensive than wood. The table below compares wood and metal stud pricing per square foot installed:
| Framing Material | Materials Cost Per Square Foot | Installed Cost Per Square Foot | Average Cost for 1,500 sq ft Home |
| Metal Studs | $2.00–$4.00 | $3.50–$7.50 | $5,250–$11,250 |
| Wood Studs | $1.00–$5.00 | $7.00–$16.00 | $10,500–$24,000 |
What Is Metal Stud Framing?
Metal stud framing is the use of cold-formed steel components to build interior and exterior walls. A stud and a track are the two main elements of metal stud framing. In load-bearing walls and structural applications, such as exterior walls, heavier gauge metal studs are used. Lighter gauge metal studs are utilized in non-load-bearing applications.
Metal studs are framed in the same way as wood studs. They come in a variety of sizes, much like wooden studs. Most metal studs are mechanically fastened with screws. Deflection connections can be utilized where earthquake, tornado, and hurricane activity is an issue. These connections prevent the flexing of the roof above the framed wall to transfer the twisting stress to the framing below, in a seismic event. To strengthen connections, stiffener plates are frequently used around openings.
Understanding Metal Stud Basics
New to metal framing? Here’s the scoop from someone who’s made every mistake in the book:
- Gauge: Just like with wire, the lower the number, the thicker the metal. Most bedroom or closet walls work fine with flimsy 25-gauge studs. Kitchen cabinets or load-bearing walls? You’ll want beefy 20 or 18-gauge studs. The difference feels obvious when you hold them.
- Load-bearing vs. Non-load-bearing: Load-bearing walls hold up your roof and upper floors. Non-load-bearing walls just separate rooms. One DIY disaster involved a homeowner using lightweight studs for a load-bearing wall — don’t repeat this $3,000 mistake.
- Tracks and Studs: The “track” is that U-shaped channel running along your floor and ceiling. “Studs” are the vertical pieces that fit inside the track. They snap together like adult Legos.
- Spacing: Just like wood framing, you’ll place studs 16 or 24 inches apart from center to center. I mark mine with a fat Sharpie right on the track.
- Fire Safety: Metal studs won’t burn. Period. After a small kitchen fire that stopped dead at my metal-framed wall, I became a convert. Wood may have kept the party going.
How Does Metal Stud Framing Compare to Traditional Wood Framing?
In addition to cost, there are other advantages to using metal studs in the construction process.
Metal Framing Process is Faster and Easier
Metal studs cut easily with basic hand tools like hacksaws or metal shears; you don’t need a power saw. For bigger jobs, a miter saw with the right blade lets you slice through 10+ studs at once.
I’ve cut metal with hand shears and attached pieces with a cordless drill during a bathroom remodel when the power was out — try doing that with wooden studs! This flexibility comes in handy during remodels, especially in older homes where power access might be limited to a single outlet.
In addition, metal framing does not split like wood, so there is no need for pre-drilling pilot holes. Metal framing does not warp, so it does not require any additional measures to ensure the frame remains square.
Metal framing does not require each stud to be cut to the exact length. They can still be attached to the metal track with a screw, even if they are a little short. This also saves time, as you can take a general measurement of the length needed along the wall and cut them all to the same size. In the case of a remodel, this is a big convenience.
Metal Framing is Lighter and Sturdier
Metal studs are lighter than wood. On average, cold-formed framing studs are 10% lighter than wood. This is based on dry weight. If rain has soaked the wood, the metal stud will weigh the same, but the wood can double in weight.
When you go to the lumber yard to get wood studs, you quickly discover that no two are identical. Many of them are twisted or gouged, so you must sift through the inventory to find straight pieces. After obtaining your straight studs, the next stage is keeping them straight by storing them in a dry flat location until they’re needed. Installing wood studs requires a lot of effort to remove and replace. With metal, it’s much easier; unscrew the old and screw in the new.
Living With Metal Studs: What Homeowners Should Know
Here are a few things you should know about metal studs before you choose them for your home.
Metal Stud Benefits
Metal creates ridiculously straight walls. My wooden-framed living room has developed wavy drywall seams where studs warped over time. But the metal-framed bedrooms I did five years ago? Still laser-straight. This matters enormously if you’re tiling — my wooden-framed shower needed grout repair after just two years when the wood shifted slightly. The metal-framed bathroom still looks new.
Metal-framed houses are oddly quiet. No more mysterious creaks at night when temperatures drop. My bedrooms have metal framing, and I can crank the heat or AC without hearing the usual symphony of pops and ticks. Worth every penny for light sleepers.
The allergy benefits surprised me the most. I had persistent respiratory issues until we remodeled with metal studs and cement board instead of wood and drywall. The difference was night and day — turns out even kiln-dried lumber can harbor enough mold spores to trigger reactions in sensitive people.
Metal Stud Drawbacks
The main hassle? Hanging stuff. My first attempt at mounting a towel bar resulted in a middle-of-the-night crash when it pulled clean out of the wall. You’ll need to learn about hollow-wall anchors and forget everything you know about finding a stud with a magnet (they all stick to metal studs). After a few practice rounds, it becomes second nature.
Another potential issue is electrical work. Running wires through metal studs requires grommets to prevent the sharp edges from cutting through insulation. Skip this step, and you might have a fire hazard on your hands. I learned this from an electrician after my DIY attempt.
Framing With Metal Studs Can Save You Money
In the past, wood was the least expensive framing material available to professional contractors. It was readily available around the country, and the quality was good. Recently, all that has changed. Supply chain issues have made wood scarce, and when it can be found, it is prohibitively priced. Some wood framing products have gone up 167% since 2021.
Despite rising material costs everywhere, metal studs still beat wood on overall value. No more picking through warped lumber piles or discovering twisted studs after installation. On a recent 1,500 square foot addition, metal framing saved a homeowner about $6,000 compared to wood quotes, even after accounting for some specialized hardware. The completely square corners and perfect door installations made finishing work go faster too — another hidden cost advantage that doesn’t show up in the initial estimate.
According to statistics, the average cost per square foot of framing materials in steel is $2–$4 per square foot (depending on the gauge). Framing material for wood is averaging $5–$10 per square foot. Labor rates still run the same for both.
When you combine the dollar savings in material costs with the added savings achieved through less time spent in the framing process, using metal studs makes sense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do metal studs last?
Interior metal studs outlast practically everything else in your house — 50+ years at minimum. Unlike wood, they never rot, warp, or attract bugs. My neighbor’s metal-framed garage from 1972 still stands perfectly square, while his wooden shed needed replacing twice in the same timeframe.
This longevity makes metal framing a no-brainer for anyone planning to stay put. The initial costs might match wood, but you’ll never replace them. Many manufacturers offer 25–50 year warranties on their metal framing products, which should tell you something about their confidence.
Can I install metal studs myself?
You bet. Most DIYers can frame interior walls with metal studs. You need fewer tools than wood framing — just a drill, some metal snips, a tape measure, and a level. The learning curve is about one weekend.
That said, you should probably call a pro for any load-bearing walls. These structural installations must meet building codes and require experience. Exterior walls? Same deal — leave those to professionals unless you really know what you’re doing. Start with a simple closet or room divider to get comfortable before taking on anything that holds up your house.
Are metal studs fire-resistant?
Metal studs won’t burn, period. When my cousin’s wooden garage went up in flames last summer, the fire department pointed out that metal framing might have contained the damage.
Paired with fire-rated drywall, metal stud walls can buy you precious minutes during a fire. This protection makes metal the standard in commercial buildings and hospitals. In places like California where wildfires happen yearly, you’ll likely sleep better knowing your home has metal framing. Some insurance companies even cut your rates if you use fire-resistant materials — my policy dropped about $100 annually after I documented our metal framing.
