Cold rolled steel framing—more precisely called cold-formed steel (CFS) framing, or light gauge steel framing—is a light-frame construction system. It is built from thin sheet steel shaped into structural profiles at room temperature, without heat. “Cold rolled” refers to reducing steel coil to target thickness. “Cold-formed” refers to the roll-forming process that bends that coil into finished framing profiles. The two terms are used interchangeably in the field, but CFS is the precise designation used in AISI standards and IBC. This article uses CFS throughout.
CFS is the standard framing method for interior partitions in commercial construction. It is also increasingly used for structural walls, floors, and roofs in low-rise and mid-rise buildings.
At Xinguangzheng, we supply and design steel structures that integrate CFS secondary framing with primary hot-rolled frames. This guide covers what CFS is, how it is made, its key components, and how it compares to wood and hot-rolled steel.
How Cold Rolled Steel Framing Is Made?
CFS framing is shaped by passing steel sheet through roll-forming dies at room temperature. No reheating is required. That is what separates it from hot-rolled steel, which is formed from near-molten metal above 1,700°F.
The process works like this. Raw steel is melted and cast into slabs. Those slabs are rolled into thin coils. The coils are reduced to target thickness, then fed through roll-forming machines that bend the strip into the finished profile. A zinc coating is applied by hot-dip galvanizing for corrosion protection. Finished members are bundled for site delivery or used in offsite panel fabrication.
The result is a member that is dimensionally precise, consistent from unit to unit, and lighter than hot-rolled sections of comparable span capacity. Member thickness typically runs from 0.0147 in. to about 0.125 in., depending on the application. CFS framing members meet ASTM A1003 for structural quality. Always specify thickness in mils or decimal inches—gauge numbers vary across industries and cause ordering errors.
Main Components of a CFS Framing System
- Studs are lipped C-sections used as vertical wall members. They are the most common CFS component. Deeper sections also serve as floor joists and roof rafters.
- Track is the unlipped channel that forms the top and bottom runner of a wall. The stud sits inside the track. No lip return means the stud can slide in without notching.
- Joists share the C-section profile with studs but run horizontally for floor and ceiling framing. Bridging braces the bottom flange at specified intervals under load.
- Headers span wall openings. Two C-sections are boxed together—toe-to-toe or back-to-back—to create a closed section with higher bending capacity. Insulate the header cavity before closing. Once the section is closed, the cavity cannot be reached.
- Straps are flat steel strips, 2 to 12 inches wide. They carry tension loads in wall bracing and shear wall assemblies.
- U-channel (CRC) threads through pre-punched web knockouts in studs and joists. It provides lateral bracing and supports ceiling frameworks. Common sizes are 3/4 in., 1-1/2 in., and 2 in. The same knockouts let plumbing, electrical, and HVAC trades route through walls without field drilling.
Purlins and girts are C- or Z-sections used in pre-engineered metal buildings. Purlins support roofing; girts support wall cladding. They typically span 20 to 30 feet between primary frames.
CFS Framing vs Wood Framing
For most contractors and developers, the real decision is steel vs wood frame building. Here is how they compare on cost, schedule, and compliance.
- Dimensional stability:Wood warps, shrinks, and splits as it dries. CFS does not. This matters most on projects with tight finish tolerances or long construction sequences. Wood movement is a common cause of cracked finishes and misaligned openings.
- Fire code:CFS is noncombustible. When used in code-compliant rated assemblies, it is commonly specified for IBC Type I, II, and certain Type III applications. The steel building fire protection rating depends on the complete tested assembly—framing, sheathing, cavity fill, and connections. Swapping any component without engineering confirmation will void the rating.
- Moisture and pests: CFS does not absorb moisture and resists termites and rot. In coastal or humid environments, this is a direct durability advantage—provided the coating designation matches the exposure condition.
- Installation:CFS arrives pre-cut with factory-punched knockouts. It can be installed at 16 or 24 inches on center depending on loads, sheathing span ratings, and finish requirements. Spacing is not a universal advantage—it requires engineering confirmation against actual conditions. Trades route through walls without drilling.
- Cost:CFS material cost is competitive with wood. The labor advantage is more consistent: fewer members in qualifying configurations and prefabricated panel options cut on-site hours. Many low-rise and mid-size multi-story buildings can be framed entirely with CFS.
One common field problem: crews familiar with wood try to pre-build CFS walls flat and tilt them up. That does not work. CFS walls are built vertically, one stud at a time. Screw fasteners do not pull joints tight the way nails do in wood. Knowing this before the crew starts prevents rework on day one.
CFS Framing vs Hot-Rolled Steel
CFS and hot-rolled steel serve different roles in the same structure. They are not competing systems.
Hot-rolled steel is for primary frames—columns, beams, and moment connections in commercial and mid-rise construction. CFS is for secondary framing—wall studs, floor joists, roof members, and partitions. It is not a replacement for the primary frame in heavy or high-rise structures.
| CFS Framing | Hot-Rolled Steel | |
|---|---|---|
| Formed at | Room temperature | Above 1,700°F |
| Weight | Lightweight | Heavy |
| Primary use | Walls, floors, roofs | Columns, beams |
| Installation | No cranes needed | Requires lifting equipment |
| Best for | Low-rise to mid-rise | Large spans, heavy loads |
In pre-engineered metal buildings, CFS girts and purlins sit alongside a hot-rolled primary frame. Their design is covered in the building manufacturer’s engineering package. Any field substitution of member size, gauge, or bracing spacing needs engineering reconfirmation before work continues.
Structural vs Non-Structural Applications
CFS framing works in two distinct modes. The standards, member specs, and inspection requirements differ between them.
- Non-structural framing covers interior partitions, ceiling framing, and curtain wall infill. These members carry no gravity load. They are sized to meet deflection limits under lateral loads. The governing standard is AISI S220. In CSI terms, this falls under Division 9, Section 09 22 16.
- Structural framing carries gravity and lateral loads. This includes load-bearing walls, floor joists, and roof framing in low-rise and mid-rise buildings. Structural CFS is governed by AISI S240. Structural member design follows AISI S100, which covers section capacity, buckling, and connections. Where CFS is part of the seismic lateral system—shear walls, strap-braced walls, and diaphragms—AISI S400 applies.
Profiles can look identical between structural and non-structural members. The difference is in gauge, connections, bracing, and the required engineering documents. Mixing them without engineering review causes permit rejection and field rework. We verify framing specs against actual load conditions during design, before fabrication begins.
Where CFS Framing Is Typically Used
CFS is the default for interior partitions in commercial construction—office fit-outs, healthcare facilities, hotels, and retail interiors. For mid-rise projects—student housing, assisted living, multifamily residential—it is increasingly used for the full structural framing system. Its light weight and compatibility with prefabrication suit developers running tight floor-cycle schedules.
In pre-engineered metal buildings, CFS girts and purlins are standard secondary framing. Warehouses, distribution centers, and agricultural buildings with pre-engineered primary frames almost always use CFS for the secondary system.
CFS is not appropriate for primary frames in heavy commercial, industrial, or high-rise structures. In wet or coastal environments, CFS requires the correct ASTM A653 coating designation for the exposure condition. Any field damage to the galvanized coating must be repaired per ASTM A780. Without a verified coating spec and repair protocol, corrosion protection cannot be assumed.
On-Site Considerations
The basic CFS tool list is short: adjustable-torque screw gun, aviation snips, chop saw, hand seamer, pneumatic pin nailer, clamps, and a magnetic level. No cranes are needed for wall framing.
That said, structural CFS must be installed by trained crews working to approved drawings. Field substitutions—member size, gauge, bracing spacing—require engineering reconfirmation before work proceeds.
Two field details cause the most rework. First, box headers must be insulated before closing. The cavity is inaccessible once the section is assembled. Second, steel frame bracing via strapping or CRC must be installed at the specified spacing before loads are applied. Both are easy to get right with a drawing review before the crew starts.
Conclusion
Cold-formed steel framing is a light-frame system made from sheet steel shaped at room temperature into studs, track, joists, straps, and channels. It outperforms wood on dimensional stability, fire classification, and installation efficiency for mid-rise and commercial projects—when the right assembly, coating spec, and engineering documents are in place. It works alongside hot-rolled primary frames as secondary framing in pre-engineered buildings.
At Xinguangzheng, we design and supply steel structures that integrate CFS secondary framing with primary hot-rolled frames. In projects where framing specs are locked before load paths and code paths are confirmed, we consistently see gauge mismatches, missing bracing details, and coating specs that do not match site conditions. All require redesign during engineering review. Confirming the framing spec against actual loads, spans, and exposure conditions before fabrication begins is the most reliable way to protect the project schedule.
Share your building dimensions, structural loads, climate zone, exposure conditions, and code jurisdiction with our engineering team. We will provide a framing specification matched to your project. Explore our full range of prefab metal buildings to see how CFS framing fits into complete steel structure systems.
FAQ
The terms are used interchangeably in the field. Cold rolling is the upstream process of reducing coil thickness. Cold-formed steel (CFS) is the finished framing member shaped by roll-forming at room temperature. For ordering and specification, use CFS, mil thickness, and the ASTM A653 coating designation.
Yes, for load-bearing walls, floors, and roofs in low-rise and mid-rise construction. CFS is well-established in multifamily, hospitality, and student housing. It requires a stamped engineering package and approved drawings. It is not a drop-in replacement for wood.
Structural CFS carries gravity and lateral loads. It is governed by AISI S240 and S100 and falls under CSI Division 5. Non-structural CFS is for partitions and ceilings with no load-bearing role. It is governed by AISI S220 and falls under CSI Division 9. The profiles can look the same. Mixing them without engineering review causes permit and field problems.
CFS is not suited for primary frames in heavy commercial or high-rise structures. In wet or coastal environments, the coating designation must match the exposure condition. Any coating damage in the field must be repaired per ASTM A780. Verify these conditions at the design stage before specifying CFS.
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