Metal Stud Wall Panels

Pre-Panelized Load-Bearing Metal Stud Walls

A key ingredient in the success of The Infinity Structural System is the pre-panelized load-bearing metal stud walls. The wall panels are pre-fabricated off-site in a panelization plant in advance and delivered to the job site when needed. Generally, approximately 50% of the walls in a building will be load-bearing metal stud panels, with the other 50% being non-bearing “stick-built” metal stud partitions.

Infinity’s metal stud wall panels are fabricated with welded connections and very close tolerances for the highest quality available (using wire-feed welders, with the welds painted afterwards.) We have continually expanded and improved our metal stud wall panel manufacturing capabilities to ensure prompt, on-time deliveries with state-of-the-art Quality Control. Our metal studs are ordered to very tight tolerances and our panel jigs are constructed with compressive mechanisms to fully seat the studs in the track prior to welding the connections. Unlike curtain wall or non-bearing metal stud framing, it is critical to get the load-bearing stud fully seated and squarely in the track so that the axial design loads will be transmitted directly from the stud to the floor slab.

Unfortunately, many times a drywall/metal framing sub will try to convince the General Contractor that he can “stick-build” the load-bearing metal stud walls (using screws) cheaper and just as fast as if they had used Infinity’s panels. Invariably when this happens, the project becomes a disaster and does not at all represent “The Infinity Structural System.” The construction schedule gets delayed and the load-bearing metal stud walls are a mess. There are usually many gaps between the studs and track, improperly installed lateral bridging (if any), improperly installed X-strapping, missing or improperly aligned stud columns where point loads need to track down the building and possibly the wrong type or gage of studs. These problems do not occur with Infinity Structures due to our rigorous pre-planning and dissection of the drawings in advance, use of PanelCAD to detail the wall panels, and our tight QC in the fabrication plant.

The load-bearing metal studs are 3 5/8” or 6” galvanized studs spaced at 12’ or 16” on center. The gage of the studs ranges from 18, 16, 14 or 12-gage depending upon the loads. The load-bearing studs come in flange widths of 1 5/8”, 2” and 2.5“, 3”, and 3.5”.

The load-bearing metal studs may be custom ordered in any length to achieve the desired floor-to-floor and ceiling heights. The studs have pre-punched holes for electrical as well as for CRC lateral bridging.

The load-bearing metal stud walls achieve 1-hour or 2-hour U.L. fire ratings depending upon how many layers of drywall are used.

Please contact Infinity Structures for more information on design, sections, details, U.L. ratings, and STC ratings. We will also be happy to work closely with your design team providing preliminary layouts and guidance on the most economical approach for your specific project.