May 2001
The Builders Guide to Residential Steel Floors is provided as a guideline to facilitate the appropriate use of cold-formed steel floor framing in the construction of conventional one- and two-family residential dwellings, townhouses, and multifamily dwellings. The provisions in this document were developed by applying accepted engineering practices, test results of steel floor assemblies, and other published reports, technical bulletins, and manufacturer data. However, users of this document should verify its compliance with local code requirements and seek any necessary regulatory approvals prior to use. The user is advised to refer to applicable building code requirements for technical issues beyond the scope of this document and when engineered design is called out.
The first three chapters of The Builders Guide to Residential Steel Floors provide an overview of cold-formed steel framing,
including its advantages, technical resources, tools and fasteners, and material properties. The overview has many helpful tips and guidance, particularly for first timers. Builders and contractors must understand the strengths and weaknesses of the material they are using. They must also know how to cut, trim, measure, mark, and install steel framing members. Steel framers must know how to order steel members, how to select the proper tools, and how to fasten framing members together. While many of these considerations are best learned by practice, the transition between wood and steel floor framing can be rather easy with the proper guidance and planning.
Chapters 4 and 5 of The Builders Guide to Residential Steel Floors describe how to construct cold-formed steel floors
and related sub-trade installations. Chapter 6 provides general recommendations and construction guidelines that are gathered from experienced steel framers. The intent of that chapter is to provide steel framers with good practices that could save them time, material, and frustration.
Prepared for:
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Office of Policy Development and Research
and
The National Association of Home Builders
and
Dietrich Industries, Inc.
Prepared by:
NAHB Research Center
Upper Marlboro, MD
104 pages
A hardcopy of this report is available for purchase from the NAHB Research Center's bookstore.