Fasteners are inarguably essential elements in your construction since they hold it together. There are several options available for your construction’s fasteners, including anchors, studs, bolts, nuts, nails, and washers. Anchors will attach different materials to concrete while bolts are meant for the insertion into a pre-existing hole. Nuts receive the bolts while washers will distribute the weight of threaded fasteners. Studs have no head and are intended to act as threaded rods onto where a nut can be fastened.
Suppliers of screws and bolts and other construction materials will also stock different types of metal studs. These are designed for framing systems. Though primarily used in commercial projects in the past to meet safety standards since they are termite and burn-proof, they now make a significant part of residential properties.
The following are the types of framing studs you can choose for your construction project.
C-Shaped Studs
These are produced from galvanized steel strips formed in cold rolling machines. The C-shaped studs have three primary sections. The web portion is the one that denotes the fastener’s dimensions. The standard C-shaped stud sizes include 2-1/2, 6, 4 and 1-5/8 inches. This web portion also has punched openings along its length to allow easy access of electrical and plumbing lines.
The flanges denote the part of the stud for the application of wall-enclosing materials such as soundboard and drywall boards. The last portion is the short return that completes the C-shape and strengthens the fastener. C-shaped studs suffice for non-load-bearing constructions.
Structural Studs
These are designed to be used as structural construction elements. They feature heavier gauge metals compared to other studs. The available widths for structural studs include 8, 6, 2-1/2, and 3-5/8 inches. The gauges used for these studs are 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 for different building specifications. Structural studs can be used on partitions and load-bearing walls.
I-Shaped Studs
These resemble a capital I when viewed in cross-section. The web section of the I-shaped stud will be moved up to the point where it will intersect with the centerline of its flanges. The stud is exceptionally rigid and is commonly used around stairwells, ducts, and vertical shafts where wall surfacing materials can be applied on its outer flange. I-shaped studs are available in 6, 4 and 2-1/2-inch sizes and can only be used in non-load bearing walls.
H-Shaped Studs
These resemble a capital H when viewed cross-sectionally. They are considered a heavier variant of the I-shaped studs with wider flanges meant to receive wall finishes. The standard size alternatives for these studs include 10, 8, and 12 feet, though customized lengths are also available. H-shaped studs only suffice for non-load bearing walls.
The highest number of materials you will need for your construction project will undoubtedly be the fasteners. The above studs are only part of what you will need. To ensure that the fasteners you get match your construction and each other, it is important to get all of them from one supplier. This will not just cut back your expenses; you can also benefit from an expert’s advice on the type of fasteners that will work best for your project.
