Cold-formed steel framing is changing how buildings go up. It’s lightweight, strong, and designed to meet building codes. It helps avoid many of the problems that come with traditional materials and is especially useful on more complex projects like mid-rise or multifamily builds.
Still, a lot of people overlook it. Cold-formed steel is packed with advantages, but old misconceptions have held it back. In this post, we’ll clear some of that up, compare it to other framing materials, and show why it’s a smarter option when you need to build faster, stay compliant, and keep projects moving.
A lot of what makes cold-formed steel so effective comes down to how it’s made.
Unlike hot-rolled steel, it’s not formed from molten metal. It starts as structural quality sheet steel that’s shaped cold at room temperature.
It may seem like a small difference, but it changes everything. The material ends up lighter, straighter, and much easier to work with. It’s ideal for jobs where speed, consistency, and code compliance matter.
Here’s a quick look at how it’s made:
The result is framing that doesn’t warp, split, or shrink like wood. It’s fire-resistant, easy to install, and strong without added bulk. Most cold-formed steel members range from 0.015 to 1/8 inch thick. They’re light enough to carry and strong enough to handle the load.
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Cold-Formed Steel (CFS) |
Hot-Rolled Steel |
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Shaped from thin sheet steel at room temperature |
Formed from red-hot metal into thick sections |
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Lightweight and easy to move around site |
Heavy and requires lifting equipment |
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Ideal for framing mid-rise and multifamily buildings |
Used for structural beams, not framing |
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Made to spec for minimal on-site cutting |
Rougher cuts often require field adjustments |
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Fast to install with less material waste |
Slower to frame with more labor involved |
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Lower shipping and handling costs |
More expensive to transport and install |
From mid-rise apartments to modular student housing, cold-formed steel offers major advantages for developers building under pressure. Below are a few key reasons why more teams are making the switch to CFS framing as part of smarter multifamily construction systems.
Cold-formed steel helps you move faster right out of the gate. It shows up straight, light weight, and ready to go. No planing, drying, or sorting like you’d deal with on a wood job. And because it’s made to spec, there’s way less time spent cutting and adjusting in the field.
That’s a big win on mid-rise projects where you’ve got trades stacked and timelines are tight. With CFS, framing members move quickly and stay on schedule, so you can keep the rest of the build moving without any bottlenecks.
Cold-formed steel is made to exact dimensions, so what you see on the plans is what shows up on-site. You don’t have to deal with warped studs, twisted lumber, or weird crown that throws everything off. Installs go smoother, and you waste a lot less construction material in the process.
That kind of precision also lets you tighten up your layout without cutting corners on strength. There's less overbuilding, fewer offcuts, and more efficient use of every piece, especially on bigger jobs where spacing variations are lower.
Cold-formed steel doesn’t burn, so you’re already a step ahead on fire code. You don’t need to mess around with fire-treated wood or extra layers just to meet the basics. Cold-formed steel components take care of a lot of that upfront.
And when you pair it with the right sheathing, like MAXTERRA® MgO Non-Combustible Structural Wall Sheathing, you can meet fire and sound code requirements without stacking up layers of material just to get there.. Less material means less hassle, fewer headaches during approvals, and real savings on both labor and materials.
Cold-formed steel can take a hit. It’s strong, but it also flexes. So when you’re building in areas with high wind or seismic risk, it holds up without cracking or failing.
You don’t get that with concrete or wood. Timber can split. Concrete can break. But cold-formed steel delivers framing systems that keep their shape and hold the structure together, making it a safer, smarter pick where the codes are stricter and the stakes are higher.
Perhaps the greatest benefit of cold-formed steel is that it’s manufactured off-site. This removes common delays associated with traditional wood framing and shows up ready to install. No warped studs, and metal doesn’t absorb moisture.
It’s consistent and easy to work with. You can knock out panels, floor systems, or full modules and get the same result every time, regardless of the conditions on-site. It’s the ideal material for predictable, repeatable builds that aren’t held up by weather.
Another benefit of its off-site manufacturing is that cold-formed steel arrives ready to install. It has pre-punched holes for plumbing, electrical, and HVAC, so trades can get in and do their part without waiting around or stepping over each other.
You don’t need as many layers or steps to get the job done. There’s less coordination between crews and fewer chances for delays. On a busy construction project with stacked trades, that kind of simplicity makes a big difference.
Cold-formed steel doesn’t warp, crack, or split like wood. It doesn’t rot, rust, or attract pests either. Once it’s in, you’re not babysitting it.
And that’s the best part. No headaches. No chasing down repairs six months after the job’s done. You get fewer callbacks, less patchwork, and you’re not pouring money into ongoing maintenance. It’s a material that’s solid from the start and stays that way.
If you’re building something meant to last, cold-formed steel gives you long-term value without the upkeep that usually comes with it.
Even with everything cold-formed steel has going for it, a few common myths still persist. Here’s what people get wrong and why those misconceptions don’t hold.
On paper, CFS might look pricier than wood. But on-site, it’s a different story. There’s less waste, fewer bad cuts, and a lot less rework. Crews can pick it up quickly, even if they’ve only worked with metal studs or wood before.
It’s one of those cases where you spend a bit more up front and save a lot more over the long run. Fewer delays, fewer surprises, fewer callbacks. When you look at the full picture (not just material cost), CFS ends up being the smarter investment.
Steel framing gets a bad rap for sound transfer, but that’s more about the wall assembly than the material itself. With proper design, cold-formed steel easily meets sound requirements for multifamily projects and other non-structural applications.
MAXTERRA® MgO Structural Wall Sheathing is ICC-ES certified (ESR-5193) and used in UL-rated wall assemblies. It contributes to sound control as part of a tested system, without requiring added layers like exterior gypsum or FRT.
When designed correctly, cold-formed steel assemblies perform as well as wood for acoustic control and often better, especially when paired with optimized wall configurations and framing components.
This one couldn't be more wrong.
Cold-formed steel is non-combustible, which already puts you ahead when it comes to fire code. It’s also flexible under load, which is exactly what you want in seismic zones. That’s why it’s been approved for use in areas with stricter structural requirements, including regions where design standards and building codes are more demanding.
Pair it with MAXTERRA® MgO Structural Wall Sheathing and you’ve got a system that checks all the boxes. It’s tested for structural use, fire-rated, and non-combustible, so you can meet code without adding extra materials or chasing down special approvals. It keeps your assemblies lean and your path to sign-off a lot smoother.
That used to be true, but not anymore. Cold-formed steel still shows up in commercial construction, but it’s also being used more and more in residential projects.
It’s strong, light, and works well with panelized and offsite construction. As those methods become more common, CFS keeps showing up on construction projects that used to go to wood. It installs faster, holds up better, and solves a lot of the long-term issues developers want to avoid.
We’ve touched on it already, but in case it hasn’t clicked yet: your sheathing choice is critical. It’s not just there to close in a wall.
In cold-formed steel assemblies, the right sheathing can be the difference between a smooth build and a constant headache. It affects everything from code compliance to install time to how well the structure holds up over time.
Wood framing usually needs a stack of extra materials just to meet code. Fire-rated panels, cement board, resilient channels. All of it adds time, labor, and more chances for something to go wrong.
Cold-formed steel gives you a cleaner path, but only if the sheathing does its part. In CFS wall and floor systems, sheathing plays a major role in hitting fire, sound, and moisture targets. Get that right, and you can reduce layers, move faster, and keep your project on track.
For floor assemblies, MAXTERRA® Structural Floor Panels are now listed in ICC-ES Report ESR-5194, which includes certified diaphragm shear values for use with both cold-formed steel and wood framing. This recognition gives structural designers a code-compliant solution that supports lateral load requirements and speeds up the path to approval.
Not every board is up for the job. If you want to keep things running smoothly, you need sheathing that performs on all fronts without slowing your crew down or adding surprises during install.
You need a product that checks all the following boxes:
Sheathing that covers all of the specs can be hard to find. But products like MAXTERRA® MgO cover it all. With fire, sound, and moisture protection built into one board, you get fewer materials, fewer steps, and a smoother build from start to finish. It’s exactly the kind of sheathing that makes cold-formed steel systems the faster, cleaner, and easier option.
Cold-formed steel is gaining ground for good reason. It’s strong, consistent, and built to move fast. But how does it actually compare to other framing systems like wood, concrete block, or hot-rolled steel? Let’s break it down.
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Feature |
CFS |
Wood |
CMU |
Hot-Rolled Steel |
| Weight |
Light |
Medium |
Heavy |
Very Heavy |
| Install Speed |
Fast |
Moderate |
Slow |
Slow |
|
Labor Needs |
Low |
Moderate |
High |
High |
|
Fire Resistance |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Pest Resistance |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Moisture Resistance |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Partial |
| Long-Term ROI |
High |
Variable |
High |
High |
| Modular Friendly |
Yes |
Limited |
No |
Limited |
| Recyclable |
Yes |
Partial |
No |
Yes |
Wood is still the go-to for a lot of residential construction. It’s familiar, easy to source, and looks cheaper up front. But it’s not without trade-offs. Wood warps. It shrinks. It splits. And every shift in moisture or temperature opens the door to uneven finishes, delays, and extra maintenance down the road.
Cold-formed steel takes those variables out of the picture. It doesn’t twist or swell. It’s non-combustible, dimensionally stable, and consistent across every unit. If you’re working on a mid-rise or any project where tolerances matter, CFS gives you a cleaner, more reliable building material, without the same long-term headaches.
Want proof? One project cut 30% off the build time by switching from wood to CFS.
Concrete and CMU are tough and reliable, no question. But they’re heavy, slow, and come with a lot of overhead. Between curing time, site prep, and the need for specialized crews, they can drag your schedule out and drive costs up.
Cold-formed steel keeps things moving. It’s lighter, faster to work with, and fits right into panelized or offsite builds. You get quicker floor cycles, less site congestion, and smoother sequencing. For developers who need to stay on schedule without cutting corners, CFS is often the smarter play.
Hot-rolled steel is common in high-rise and heavy commercial projects where large spans and heavy loads are the priority. But for mid-rise work, it’s often more than you need. It adds weight, cost, and complexity that can slow things down.
Cold-formed steel offers strong structural performance without the bulk. It spans long distances with less material, installs faster, and fits better into panelized or modular builds. For mid-rise projects, it gives you the benefits of steel without making the process harder than it has to be.
Cold-formed steel framing gives developers a faster, more reliable way to build. And when you pair it with MAXTERRA® MgO Sheathing, you get a complete wall system that cuts down on layers, speeds up approvals, and performs under pressure.
MAXTERRA® is:
If you're exploring CFS for your next project, MAXTERRA® is the perfect compliment. Ask about a sample to see how it fits into your assembly firsthand.
MAXTERRA® gives you two ways to simplify floor assemblies in cold-formed steel builds.
If you're framing a structural floor, the ¾″ MAXTERRA® MgO Non-Combustible Single Layer Structural Floor Panels replaces both the subfloor and underlayment in a single install. It spans joists up to 24″ on center, so you can use fewer materials and move faster with less coordination between trades. This panel is now ICC-ES certified under ESR-5194 (June 2025) for structural diaphragm applications over both cold-formed steel and wood framing. It is the only magnesium oxide floor panel approved by ICC-ES for use on both framing types, with tested lateral shear values that support structural engineering needs.
If you’re using a traditional subfloor like OSB or plywood, the MAXTERRA® MgO Fire- and Water-Resistant Underlayment gives you a non-combustible, moisture-resistant surface that's ideal under tile, LVT, or other finishes. It’s lightweight, stable, installs easily over wood substrates, and is built to meet fire and sound requirements without added layers.
Both products are designed to work seamlessly with cold-formed steel systems. So whether you're building from the joists up or finishing the top layer, MAXTERRA® keeps the process cleaner, simpler, and code-compliant.
Yes. MAXTERRA® MgO wall sheathing is non-combustible and ICC-ES certified under ESR‑5193. It meets ASTM E-136 and supports UL-rated 1- and 2-hour assemblies. That gives developers a way to eliminate FRT wood entirely while still meeting fire code and structural systems requirements.
Definitely. These panels use a sulfate-based magnesium oxide formula that resists moisture and avoids the corrosion issues seen in chloride-based MgO products. MAXTERRA® is tested to ASTM G21 for mold resistance and holds its shape during rain delays or prolonged exposure. It won’t swell, degrade, or break down like OSB or gypsum can.
Because one board does the job of many. MAXTERRA® combines fire resistance, acoustic control, structural strength, and moisture protection in a single product. That cuts out the need for multiple layers and trades. Your framing crew can install it with standard tools and fasteners, which saves time and keeps the site less congested.
Yes. The system includes both non-combustible wall sheathing and structural floor panels designed for cold-formed steel framing. Wall panels come in ½″ and ⅝″ thicknesses with square edge profiles. The ¾″ floor panels are tongue-and-groove, span up to 24 inches on center, and meet both structural and fire code requirements. Everything is designed to integrate easily, including with c sections and other shapes commonly used in CFS builds, making mixed wall and floor installs seamless.