Wheel house? Do i use metal studs or woods and why?

[ratherbefishin]

Wheel house? Do i use metal studs or woods and why?

I think im goin to use wood , but if anyone has any input let me know thanks!

[kevfish1]

In the past 5 years I have built one with wood and one metal. I am on my 3rd house and am using steel studs again this time. Alot stronger, straighter. Just fir the studs out horizontaly with furring strips to prevent any moisture issues. Should last a life time. See Sapperaces 09 fishhouse project for pictures of what i am talking about.

[SapperACE]

Here's a few pics of my steel studs and the firring that kevfish was talking about. Here are a few of the pros and cons as I see it.

pros:

-as light or lighter than wood studs

-far stronger than wood

-straiter than wood

-will never rot, swell, sag or crack like wood does

cons:

-get ready to drive ALOT of self tappers (I used about 300 in this house)

-It will take alot more time to finish your house

I have also done it both ways... wood and steel. Wood is fine, but I think metal is worth the extra effort. If you choose wood, I highly reccommend studs 16" on center. I did one 24" one time, and you could tell. It wasn't as rigid.

[rcatcherman]

If your not insulating it with 2 part spray foam I would advise at least using some type of expandable spray foam along the pink board and the studs to eliminate all drafts 100% if you are not planning to.

[ratherbefishin]

Can you please explain the purpose of the fir strip again, ive never built something like this before, i got my frame done so i want to start building on top in the next couple of weeks.

I aslo plan on using pro rib metal siding, any tips working with that would be great!

[SapperACE]

You need the firring to fasten whatever paneling you decide to use to the walls. Obviously, you can't nail to metal studs.

As far as pro rib siding goes... It's not the easiest thing to cut. I'm sure someone makes a fancy shear or something for cutting it, but I have always had to use a skill saw. Get some ear plugs and a face shield if you have to do that. It is pretty good stuff though, and you can make it look really nice.

[ratherbefishin]

Thanks SapperACE, I hope to get my material around newyears, I want to have it fishable this winter , i'm down on my funds right now do to xmas so wish me luck!

[birdswacker]

Furring strips will stop condensation from tranfering thru also.

[DRH1175]

SapperAce,

Were those studs Welded at the top and bottom or screwed? If you welded all the studs together top and bottom that would make for one ridgid house! Also is that siding Screwed to the frame it looks like some self tappers on your picture. Am I right? I am getting all my stuff together for this summers project and getting all the research done first.

[DRH1175]

What gauge should the studs be if you use metal?

[magicstix]

For cutting the Pro rib siding would a fine tooth blade on a cicular saw work? I've used it on other sheetmetal but you do need safety glasses and ear plugs.

[erik-the-great]

i would not use a skil saw to cut the pro rib because it will leave little pieces of metal on the good metal causing it to rust the good metal i have always just used a good tin snips and where a good pr of leather gloves

[tonkapat]

You are not gaining much strength from the siding or the interior paneling with your system. Wood studs with flat siding and an interior plywood both glued well will be stronger. Also you are losing a lot of surface are for the plywood to attach to the frame. would like to open up your walls at 20 below and see how much condensation you have through those studs. I would bet the studs would be covered in condensation. No matter how much foam you put next to those studs the condensation will drive right through to the inside. Mold? in time probably. I pulled a piece of paneling of the inside of my wood studded house recently. No condensation and no mold. House is 5 years old. Your steel stud lighter than my 1 3/4 x 1 1/2 studs? maybe but not by much if any. good luck just my opinions

[tonkapat]

where did you run your wires in that house?

[JeffB]

I used steel studs in my house and had it spray foamed. The studs were 1.5" thick and the spray foam guy spayed a 2 inche layer of foam in the house so the studs have a half inch on the inside. The foam is pretty eaven and looks good after paining it. The house heats up fast nothing sweats at 20 below so I'm happy. No need for the extra weight of paneling since the spray foam is very durable. If you paint the spray foam use a latex paint and it will hold paint well.

[kevfish1]

but look at your wood studs after a few years of pounding on lake roads. the metal will still look the same. the wood will be split, cracked etc. steel studs will be alot stronger. i put steel in mine. not for the weight issue but for strength. When you are looking at a 3000 lb house what does a couple of hundred either way matter??? Other than the brake issue

[JeffB]

On my house I used little strips of duct tape and cable ties and let the spray foam take care of the rest.