Why are steel 2x4's not used in residential properties?

All commercial interior construction I’ve seen in the last decade or so use steel 2x4’s. They’re fireproof, 100% straight, have openings for wiring to pass through, can be cut with tin snips, in short, they’re great.

Yet all the residential construction I’ve seen still uses wood. Obviously, the steel is not load bearing, but why isn’t it used for interior walls? IIRC, the price is not a factor, steel 2x4’s aren’t as cheap as wood, but they’re not expensive.

Is it a building code thing? If so, why?

I asked a similar question here that might be useful.

:smack:

I am neither an architect nor an engineer. However, I know from personal experience that claims of “fireproof” must be taken with a grain of salt. Temperatures that will char the outside of a wooden beam will weaken steel structural beams to the point of drooping. “Fireproof” file cabinets are not fireproof at all. Metal studs may indeed be cheaper, but let’s not flash the “fireproof” sign without an unblinking look.

I guess I meant “fireproof” in the sense that it won’t add fuel to a fire. Most uses of steel 2x4’s I’ve seen have been interior partition walls, which are not load bearing.

What’s up with the file cabinets, They don’t protect their contents?

I can’t give a general answer, but the Swedish company Open House does just that. You might want to check out their pdf (yes, it’s in English).

They ARE used in some residential construction. In particular, my basement remodel. The contractor talked me into them. Only afterwards did I find out it meant I couldn’t hang heavy shelving anywhere. Talk about compromises in a shop and a library!

I drove past a house under construction this weekend that appeared to have exclusively steel framing…

They do protect contents-just not indefinitely at any temperature. The most widely accepted rating is derived from Underwriters Laboratory test standard 72, which states that interior temperature can’t exceed 350°F if rated for paper products, 150°F for tapes, cartridges, microfiche/microfilm, 125°F for diskettes, and may be 1/2, 1, 2, 3 or 4 hour rated.