The light-gauge steel framing industry has opportunity to increase the demand for metal studs in commercial and residential applications. The industry must look beyond the traditional non-structural commercial wall systems, on which it is now focused, and put increased emphasis on structural load-bearing applications for use in walls, roofs and floors.
This observation was made by Ed Ponko, newly named president of Dietrich Metal Framing, to attendees at the American Iron and Steel Institute general meeting held in May.
He said that the paradigm shift to developing structural load-bearing applications would favor increased commercial usage and offer the added advantage of allowing entry into a much larger residential market. This would be possible because the set of competencies required in both commercial and residential construction are interconnected.
