The comments follow President Donald Trump’s announcement on September 28, 2026, that Mesabi Metallics plans to invest $15 billion in a new steelmaking complex in Iowa. The company expects the facility to begin production in 2030. It plans initial annual production of 7.5 million tons of steel, eventually increasing capacity to about 10 million tons.

“The Mesabi Metallics project is significant, and additional domestic steelmaking capacity is encouraging for U.S. manufacturing,” said Don Allen, executive director of SFIA. “In time, this investment could help strengthen the domestic supply chain that supports cold-formed steel framing.”

Additional domestic steelmaking capacity could benefit the cold-formed steel (CFS) framing supply chain over the long term, SFIA says. Photo: SFIA

Domestic Steelmaking Capacity Expands

Allen noted that the Mesabi announcement follows several years of increased investment in domestic steelmaking capacity.

“These increased capacities are important to support the on-shoring of manufacturing,” Allen said. He noted that added capacity also supports the buildout of data centers and energy infrastructure. Markets ranging from automotive and construction to packaging would benefit, he said.

“Growing North American capacity also allows more of that demand to be met by a steel industry that leads globally in reducing environmental impacts,” Allen added.

“The sizeable investment by Mesabi Metallics in the new Iowa plant and also its Nashwauk, Minnesota, iron ore mine will further boost U.S. ironmaking and steelmaking capacity, create jobs and strengthen the U.S. economy,” said Kevin Dempsey, president and CEO of the American Iron and Steel Institute, in a prepared statement. “Importantly, the project will rely on an integrated U.S. supply chain for mining Minnesota iron ore and transforming it into steel in America.”

Near-Term CFS Impact Remains Limited

However, SFIA cautions against assuming additional steelmaking capacity will translate directly or immediately into lower prices or greater availability for CFS framing products.

Total steelmaking capacity is only one part of the equation. CFS manufacturers depend on the availability and pricing of the specific coated steel coil products used to produce CFS framing.

For contractors bidding projects, SFIA does not view the Mesabi announcement alone as a reason to change expectations. Near-term CFS framing prices and availability depend on broader market conditions.

Additional Resources

• CFS 101 In Practice: Real-World Examples of Project Teams Using Cold-Formed Steel
• Fire Changes Everything: Why Cold-Formed Steel Is Reshaping Housing Construction
• The State of Steel Framing (On-Demand Course)

The post SFIA: New U.S. Steelmaking Investments Could Strengthen Long-Term CFS Supply Chain appeared first on BuildSteel.org.

      

Related Stories

• Update #26: CFS Benefits on Display in Coastal Australia, Nova Scotia and Rural Colombia
• Update #12: CFS Advances UC Berkeley Project, Curtain Wall Connections and a Hotel in Scotland
• FRAMECAD Launches Steelform Core Machine, a Lower-Cost Entry Point for CFS Framing Production

 

Cold-Formed Steel Meets Coastal Residential Demands

The Knights Bridge Luxury Residence on Australia’s Gold Coast in Queensland shows how cold-formed steel (CFS) supports construction in coastal environments. Located directly beside canals, the custom home faces moisture, humidity and salt-laden air. These conditions make corrosion protection and dimensional stability important considerations for the structural framing.

The complete framing package was manufactured off-site as precision wall panels and roof trusses. Scottsdale Construction Systems, an SFIA member, supplied the roll-forming technology for the framing components. The prefabricated wall and roof truss framing components arrived ready for assembly, helping crews maintain dimensional accuracy throughout construction.

Galvanized CFS provides multiple layers of protection for demanding waterfront conditions. 

• The zinc coating provides a durable barrier
• It also develops a protective patina that helps extend the service life of the steel members 

Unlike materials that can absorb moisture, steel maintains its dimensional stability. That stability helps preserve construction precision over time.

Read the Scottsdale article.

Prefabricated CFS Streamlines Nova Scotia Housing Construction

Membertou, Nova Scotia, is evaluating an all-steel housing system for future residential development. The community plans to build more than 100 units within 18 months. Smart Casa built a demonstration home that allows Membertou community residents to evaluate steel framing for future housing projects, says the Cape Breton Post.

Cold-formed steel (CFS) framing forms the structure of the demonstration home. Steel roof trusses, a standing-seam metal roof and metal siding complete the all-steel approach. Smart Casa ships prefabricated steel framing components to the project for assembly on site. This approach combines prefabrication with field assembly.

The steel framing system also supported faster construction than a stick-built home, Cape Breton Post says.

According to the Cape Breton Post, the community reported substantial savings compared with stick-built construction. The home also brings the durability and noncombustibility of steel framing to Membertou’s expanding residential program.

Read the article.

Cold-Formed Steel Speeds Colombia Earthquake Home Construction

A housing program in Colombia will use cold-formed steel (CFS) framing to rebuild homes damaged by the Aug. 10 earthquake, according to ColombiaOne.com. Puerto Rican artist Nicky Jam and Colombian infrastructure company Grupo Argos launched Adopta un Hogar to support affected communities. The initiative will repair and rebuild homes across western Colombia. Housing designs will respond to local terrain and climate.

 

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The rural housing program will use load-bearing CFS framing with components prefabricated before delivery. Crews can assemble the framing on site, reducing the material they must transport across difficult terrain. Grupo Argos says the structures will weigh 70% to 80% less than traditional masonry buildings, depending on design. Lower structural mass can reduce earthquake forces. Engineers designed the structures to meet Colombia’s NSR-10 seismic code.

CFS framing offers logistical advantages for mountainous and isolated communities. Prefabrication can simplify transportation across steep terrain and support a projected 3-week building schedule. The project shows how designers can use CFS framing to meet seismic requirements while simplifying project delivery in rural areas.

Read the article.

Featured image: Clockwise from top left: steel-framed housing in western Colombia; Knights Bridge Luxury Residence in Queensland, Australia; and steel-framed housing in Membertou, Nova Scotia. Credit: ColombiaOne, Scottsdale Construction Systems and CBC Radio Canada respectively.

Additional Resources

• Update #25: Cold-Formed Steel Framing Supports Community Center, Waterfront Condominium and Residential Development
• Update #24: Cold-Formed Steel Advances Historic Renovation, Veterans Housing and Net-Zero School  
• Update #23: Cold-Formed Steel Advances Aquarium Design, Fire Resilience and Storm Recovery
• Update #22: Cold-Formed Steel Supports Wildfire Rebuilding, Courthouse Acoustics and Micro Homes
• Update #21: Cold-Formed Steel Supports Award-Winning Church, Affordable Housing and a Noted Training Center

The post Update #26: CFS Benefits on Display in Coastal Australia, Nova Scotia and Rural Colombia appeared first on BuildSteel.org.

      

Related Stories

• Update #12: CFS Advances UC Berkeley Project, Curtain Wall Connections and a Hotel in Scotland
• FRAMECAD Podcast: Don Allen Explains How SFIA Is Unifying the Steel Framing Industry
• CFS10 Nears Final Phase: SFIA Members Invited to Support Deconstruction and Reuse Efforts

 

The AD, LLC and Supply Force boards of directors unanimously approved the acquisition. Supply Force shareholders also voted overwhelmingly in favor of the transaction. Representatives from both boards served on a joint special committee that guided the process for several months.

More than 80 Supply Force associates will join AD through the acquisition. They will continue operating Supply Force as an optional, value-added program for AD members. The program joins AD eCommerce, AD Center for Independent Leadership and other optional services available to members.

‘The First Step’ Toward New Investments

AD Chairman and CEO Bill Weisberg thanked the boards and committee members for their leadership. He also recognized leaders from both organizations who helped bring the companies together. Weisberg said they considered shareholders, members, supplier partners, associates and Supply Force national account customers throughout the process.

John Harman, president of The Kendall Group and Supply Force chairman, called finalizing the acquisition “the first step.” He said AD can invest in solutions that help members compete more effectively. Those investments can support independent distributors pursuing large, multi-site customer opportunities.

“AD is well-positioned to make the necessary investments in technically advanced solutions,” Harman said. He expressed support for AD’s plans to integrate and expand the Supply Force program. “We are excited about the future,” he said.

The acquisition marks AD’s 18th transaction with another member-owned group. AD has used those transactions to build scale across multiple industries. The organization says that scale can create new opportunities for its members and supplier partners.

Supply Force Introduces a New Look

Following the acquisition, AD launched a refreshed Supply Force brand. The update includes a new logo, tagline and color palette. AD said the organization’s fundamental commitments to members, suppliers, associates and customers remain unchanged.

“The new logo references National Coverage,” Weisberg said. The concept represents AD members’ reach across the industrial and construction markets they serve. It also recognizes the relationships members maintain with their customers and suppliers.

AD’s Supply Force acquisition adds more than 80 associates and expands services for independent distributors.

The logo pairs that national reach with “local excellence,” Weisberg said.

The phrase reflects how AD members deliver products and services within their markets. AD said the updated identity represents more than a new visual appearance. The brand also reflects AD’s plans to build capabilities supporting the Supply Force program. Those investments aim to strengthen its service and deliver on its value proposition.

AD President of National Accounts Shannon Bibbee said the new identity reinforces Supply Force’s established role. He described that role as “independent distributors achieving big results for customers, together.” The program allows those distributors to collaborate without losing what makes them independent.

AD has begun introducing the updated branding across its digital platforms and corporate communications.

Read the Supply Force acquisition news release.

Read the Supply Force brand update news release.

Additional Resources

• AD Member Sales Reach a Record $58 Billion Through First Six Months of 2026
• AD Receives Multiple Workplace Recognitions in 2026
• AD and The Commonwealth Group, An Alliance of PHCP distributors, Announce Their Intent to Merge

The post AD Completes Supply Force Acquisition, Introduces Refreshed Supply Force Brand appeared first on BuildSteel.org.

      

Related Stories

• ClarkDietrich Publishes New EPD with Plant-Specific Environmental Impact Data
• ClarkDietrich Introduces SilentXpress Sound Isolation System
• AD Member Sales Reach a Record $58 Billion Through First Six Months of 2026

 

CFSEI FAQ OF THE MONTH

CFSEI Hotline: 1-800-79STEEL

AISI S400 Stud Blocking Requirements

Question

AISI S400-20 Table E2.3-1, shown below, addresses steel sheet sheathed shear walls.

The tabulated values are showing both a blocked and unblocked option for the steel sheet shear walls. In AISI S400 Section E2.4.1.1 note (l) is as follows:

Does the ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ for ‘stud blocking required’ from Table E2.3-1 mean you may apply the 0.7 reduction factor to the values that say ‘No’? 

For example, suppose 1870 lb/ft x 0.7 = 1309 plf, but you are unable to provide unblocked shear walls for 2085 lb/ft. Should the 0.7 factor be applied, or does the table already account for that reduction?

Answer

Table E2.3-1 does not include any unblocked values. However, there is an important distinction between panel blocking and stud blocking.

• Where the entry in the table column with the heading “Stud Blocking Required” is “Yes,” stud blocking is required
• Where the entry is “No” stud blocking is not required, but panel blocking is

The definitions of each are given in AISI S400 Section A2.1 as follows:

• Blocking, Panel: Blocking that transmits shear between the panels of a shear wall or diaphragm
• Blocking, Stud: Blocking that provides torsional support to the studs in a shear wall

All the assemblies in Table E2.3-1 require blocking. But only those values with “Yes” in the “Stud Blocking Required” column require stud blocking.

AISI S400 Section E2.4.1.1 (l) applies when panel-to-panel shear transfer is via overlapping of the sheets rather than using panel blocking (e.g., flat strap). No test data exists to confirm application of the 0.7 factor for stud-blocked assemblies with lapped panel seams. This requires engineering judgement that considers tension field force transfer across the seam.

• If you are using panel blocking (flat strap), use the values in the table directly
• If, in lieu of panel blocking, you are overlapping the panels, apply the 0.7 factor

1.800.79STEEL

If you have any cold-formed steel (CFS) questions, contact CFSEI experts online or call the CFSEI Hotline at 1.800.79STEEL.

Read more CFSEI “FAQ of the Month” questions and answers here:

CFSEI FAQ OF THE MONTH

CFSEI Hotline: 1-800-79STEEL

Additional Resources

• Guidance on Out-of-Plane Bracing Forces for Load-Bearing CFS Walls During CLT Floor Panel Installation
• FAQ: Does Limitation 2 of AISI S220, Section A1.2.1, Conflict with Limitation 3?
• Ask an Expert: CFSEI Responds to a Question about the Anchored Leg of a Clip Angle

The post Understanding AISI S400 Stud Blocking Requirements for Steel Sheet Sheathed Shear Walls appeared first on BuildSteel.org.

      

Related Stories

• Howick Case Study: CFS Panelization Delivers Walls for 100 Homes in 4 Months
• CFS Panelization Delivers Walls for 100 Homes in 4 Months
• Howick Case Study: Panelized CFS Framing Accelerates Hotel Construction by 4 Months

 

Raymond-Northern California, Inc., part of SFIA member The Raymond Group, earned four 2026 WACA Construction Excellence Awards for its work on UC Berkeley’s Gateway. Honors included Green Building, Ceilings, Institutional Interior and Project of the Year. The 367,270-square-foot building houses laboratories, classrooms and collaborative spaces within a distinctive S-shaped structure.

Structural steel creates the primary frame at Gateway, including exposed pipe columns around complex elliptical slab edges. Inside, cold-formed steel (CFS) framing accommodates dense mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. Prefabricated CFS headers use truss configurations that eliminate kickers and create additional space for overhead systems.

 

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CFS also accommodates radius walls, curved ceilings and varied interior spaces throughout the building. The project is pursuing LEED certification and incorporates low-carbon curtain wall systems, energy optimization and other sustainability strategies. The Raymond Group combined prefabricated headers with digital field layout to improve framing accuracy and installation efficiency.

Read The Raymond Group article.

CFS Connections That Accommodate Curtain Wall Movement

Movement between cold-formed steel (CFS) curtain walls and the primary structure creates an important connection challenge. Vertical deflection, lateral drift and varying slab conditions can complicate how CFS framing connects to the structure.

SFIA member The Steel Network designs and manufactures DriftTrak systems to address several common curtain wall conditions:

• Head-of-wall connections accommodate vertical deflection and lateral drift where CFS studs meet the structure
• Bypass connections address curtain wall framing that extends past slab edges
• Post-tensioned slab connections address conditions where slab construction affects conventional attachment methods

 

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Each DriftTrak system is load-rated and supported by technical documentation, installation details and engineering resources. Designers can use published load data and BIM to specify connections for particular framing conditions. For contractors, the systems can reduce field labor and connection complexity while maintaining required structural performance.

Read The Steel Network article.

Cold-Formed Steel Lightens Historic Hotel Expansion

The Caledonian Hotel in Edinburgh, Scotland, combines structural steel and cold-formed steel (CFS) in a nine-story extension. The 96-room addition rises above the former Princes Street Railway Station, where historic infrastructure placed unusual demands on the structural design, according to Scottish Construction Now.

Rendering shows the nine-story Caledonian Hotel extension rising within the historic Edinburgh site. The addition uses structural steel and cold-formed steel framing.

A structural steel transfer system at the mezzanine level carries loads from the CFS-framed floors above. Will Rudd, a civil and structural engineering consultancy, designed two-span steel beams to reduce structural depth and steel weight while preserving interior space. Above the transfer level, load-bearing CFS framing provides a lighter structural system through the roof.

Historic foundations, arched basement structures, brick retaining walls and an underlying public sewer constrained the structural design. The design concentrates heavier structural steel where load transfer demands it and uses lighter CFS for the floors above. The project shows how complementary steel systems can add substantial capacity when existing conditions limit structural options. 

Read the article.

Additional Resources

• Update #11: U.S. Steel Plans Major Mill Investment, CFS Advances Glamping Pods and Residential Construction
• Update #10: CFS Aids Saudi Gigaprojects, Wisconsin Housing and Australian Modular Housing
• Update #9: MAREK Builds Ismaili Center, ClarkDietrich Receives Certification for Connectors and U.S. Steel Invests in DRI

The post Update #12: CFS Advances UC Berkeley Project, Curtain Wall Connections and a Hotel in Scotland appeared first on BuildSteel.org.

      

Related Stories

• Update #26: CFS Benefits on Display in Coastal Australia, Nova Scotia and Rural Colombia
• FRAMECAD Launches Steelform Core Machine, a Lower-Cost Entry Point for CFS Framing Production
• FRAMECAD Podcast: Don Allen Explains How SFIA Is Unifying the Steel Framing Industry

 

The launch responds to a broader shift in construction, a FRAMEDCAD news release says. “Builders are under mounting pressure to deliver projects quicker, reduce material waste and rely less on scarce on-site labor,” says the release. “FRAMECAD says its answer to that pressure starts with speed.”

The company’s prefabricated steel framing process delivers build times up to 50% faster than traditional timber framing, the release says. The process generates about 2% material waste and that waste is recycled, it adds.

Offsite manufacturing is also becoming a larger part of that shift in construction. For many businesses, however, prefabricated steel framing required more investment than their production needs justified. The Steelform Core is designed to remove that barrier. It uses the same end-to-end approach as FRAMECAD’s higher-volume machines, in a format aimed at businesses entering steel framing or expanding their offsite capability in stages.

Images provided by FRAMECAD.

FRAMECAD’s new Steelform Core produces CFS framing components and is available in the United States.

Lowering the Barrier to Steel Framing

“Builders are looking for ways to build with more certainty, less waste and less dependence on site-based labor,” said, Aaron Wright, CEO of FRAMECAD. “The Steelform Core gives them access to quality steel framing equipment that fits their business today, with the same connected workflow that can scale as they grow. Start with Steelform Core, and scale with FRAMECAD as you grow.”

The Steelform Core machine produces cold-formed steel trusses, wall frames and floor joists for structures up to three levels, including housing, schools, commercial and institutional buildings.

Every Steelform Core comes with FRAMECAD Nexa, the company’s own software for scheduling and tracking production on the factory floor. It also connects directly to Steelwise, FRAMECAD’s design and engineering software. Because FRAMECAD develops both machines and software together, builders get one connected workflow from design through manufacture to build, rather than piecing together tools from different vendors.

A worker assembles cold-formed steel (CFS) framing. FRAMECAD’s new Steelform Core targets builders and fabricators entering or expanding off-site steel framing production.

Prefabricated cold-formed steel (CFS) framing components await installation at a construction site. FRAMECAD’s new Steelform Core produces wall frames, floor joists and trusses.

Focusing on Finished-Frame Production

Rather than focusing on line speed alone, FRAMECAD designed the Steelform Core to maximize finished-frame production during machine uptime. Machine learning continuously optimizes hydraulic performance, delivering output that compares favorably with other roll-formers in its category.

FRAMECAD says the machine is about 50% more energy efficient and includes Wi-Fi connectivity for over-the-air updates.

“When people compare steel framing machines they tend to read line speed alone, but real productivity is finished frames and trusses per day,” said Mario Tschopp, FRAMECAD product manager.

“We optimized the Steelform Core across punching and assembly,” he added. “Customers get more finished frames from every minute of uptime.”

FRAMECAD says demand for steel framing is growing in several key construction markets. About 1 in 10 new homes built in Australia have used the company’s technology. The company developed the Steelform Core to support broader use in residential and commercial construction, including in the United States, Brazil and India.

Read the original FRAMECAD news release.

Additional Resources

• FRAMECAD Podcast: Don Allen Explains How SFIA Is Unifying the Steel Framing Industry
• SFIA Releases New Industry-Average Environmental Product Declaration for Cold-Formed Steel Framing
• CFS 101 In Practice: Real-World Examples of Project Teams Using Cold-Formed Steel

The post FRAMECAD Launches Steelform Core Machine, a Lower-Cost Entry Point for CFS Framing Production appeared first on BuildSteel.org.

      

Related Stories

• Update #12: CFS Advances UC Berkeley Project, Curtain Wall Connections and a Hotel in Scotland
• Update #26: CFS Benefits on Display in Coastal Australia, Nova Scotia and Rural Colombia
• FRAMECAD Launches Lower-Cost Steelform Core Machine for CFS Framing Production

 

• Structural weight
• Installation time
• Trade sequencing
• The overall construction schedule
• Builder’s insurance risk and property insurance premiums

Ryan Miller has seen those effects while visiting CFS job sites and talking with project teams nationwide. Miller is executive vice president of sales and national sales manager at NEXGEN Building Products, an SFIA member.

“I’ve been on several cold-formed steel (CFS) job sites over the past several weeks nationwide meeting with customers and project teams,” Miller says. “Along the way, we’ve identified significant time and material savings for CFS projects incorporating magnesium oxide cement-based panels versus wet-laid gypsum, lightweight concrete, portland cement panels and wood sheathing.”

Featured image: MgO substrate used with cold-formed steel (CFS) flooring joists. Photo courtesy of D. Ryan Miller of NEXGEN Building Products.

Look at the Complete Floor System

Project teams have several substrate options for CFS-framed floor systems, according to a NEXGEN Building Products article. These include sheet products installed over CFS joists and metal decking topped with lightweight concrete or gypsum cement. Other systems combine structural panels with CFS framing to create dry-installed floor assemblies. Each approach brings different requirements for framing, labor, installation and subsequent trades.

Alternative substrates can give project teams opportunities to improve construction sequencing and reduce floor-system weight. Substrate choices can also affect fire, acoustic and structural requirements for the complete floor assembly. Those considerations make substrate selection part of a larger building-system decision, Miller says.

Crowne at Buck Island at the multifamily project in Bluffton, South Carolina, features an MgO substrate and cold-formed steel (CFS) joists. AdvanT Steel provided the CFS systems. Photo: courtesy of D. Ryan Miller

Material price represents only one part of a floor system’s cost. Installation labor, assembly weight, curing time and trade coordination can also affect project economics. A substrate that eliminates another material or construction operation can change the installed cost calculation.

For example, NEXGEN manufactures MAXTERRA magnesium oxide cement panels. The company offers a 3/4-inch noncombustible structural floor panel for installation directly over framing. Project teams use these panels to replace an OSB subfloor and wet-laid gypsum. The company also offers a 1/2-inch board for installation over OSB.

MgO boards can provide a dry-installed alternative to wet-applied floor systems. In some assemblies, they can eliminate materials and operations required to complete the floor. Eliminating wet-applied gypsum also removes its curing time.

Dry systems can also reduce water use because many wet floor systems require potable water. This can be especially important in areas facing drought and water-use restrictions. 

“When you pair MgO board and CFS together, the installation begins moving at a much quicker pace,” says Austin Porter in the NEXGEN article. “But you’re still achieving high levels of fire compliance.”

Porter is director of business development at Symmtrex, a framing system provider.

Lower Floor Weight Can Create Savings Elsewhere

Lighter floor assemblies can reduce building mass and create savings elsewhere in the structure. Repeating those weight reductions across several floors can magnify the effect.

AdvanT Steel recently worked on UL-rated floor-ceiling assemblies using MgO panels with CFS framing. The assembly weight dropped from roughly 50 pounds per square foot to about 13 pounds, according to NEXGEN.

“When you multiply that across three or four floors, you’re significantly minimizing project costs,” says Tim Liescheidt, managing member of AdvanT Steel. He cites the reduced weight, complexity and labor associated with lighter assemblies.

BuildSteel documented the effects of floor weight at West Point Apartments II in Tucson, Arizona. The seven-story multifamily project originally called for a concrete-filled metal deck floor system. Instead, the project team, led by SFIA member Industrialized Construction Solutions, used long-span CFS C-joists with noncombustible structural subfloor sheathing.

The lighter system produced benefits beyond the floor itself. BuildSteel reported savings in the project’s foundations and seismic lateral systems. SFIA member Industrialized Construction Solutions served as the project’s structural and specialty engineer. The firm also eliminated the need for a podium entirely.

The lighter floor system still met the project’s fire and acoustic requirements.

West Point demonstrates how floor-system decisions can cascade through a CFS building. Reducing weight on each floor can change loads carried through the structure. Those effects can grow as designers repeat an assembly across multiple stories.

Through its prefab expertise, SFIA member Industrialized Construction Solutions saved 3 months on the overall schedule.

Dry Floor Systems Can Save Schedule Time

Construction sequencing provides another reason to evaluate floor substrates early. Wet floor systems add placement and curing operations to the schedule. Those operations can also affect when other trades gain access to completed floors.

Dry-installed structural panels offer an alternative to wet-applied floor systems. Crews mechanically fasten the panels to the framing without adding a wet topping during that operation. Eliminating that step can reduce the number of trades and activities associated with completing a floor.

West Point Apartments II’s CFS floor system eliminated wet trades and curing delays associated with its original floor design. That change supported a broader prefabrication strategy designed to accelerate construction.

As part of that broader strategy, crews completed seven stories of framing in 78 days. BuildSteel reported that framing finished about three months ahead of the original schedule.

Schedule savings can also reduce financing costs. 

NEXGEN Building Products illustrates the effect using a hypothetical $25 million, 18-month construction loan with an 8% interest rate. 

• The final month would generate about $165,000 in interest
• Cutting 30 days from the schedule could eliminate that carrying cost

That savings comes “before a dollar of material or labor savings,” NEXGEN says.

Courtesy of NEXGEN Building Products

Substrate Choice Can Affect CFS Design

Floor substrate selection can also influence structural design decisions. Panel spans, framing spacing, loads and deflection requirements can affect the final system. Connection requirements and installation methods can introduce additional considerations.

Those relationships make early coordination important. Architects, engineers, contractors and manufacturers can compare assemblies before other design decisions narrow their options. Structural engineers can also evaluate how floor-system weight affects the building’s overall design.

The issue becomes particularly important on multistory projects. A change in one floor assembly repeats throughout the building. As West Point demonstrated, reducing that mass can affect foundations, lateral systems and other structural decisions.

No single floor substrate provides the best solution for every CFS project. Structural demands, fire ratings, acoustics, labor conditions and construction schedules vary from project to project.

Project teams should therefore compare complete floor systems rather than substrate prices alone. That comparison can include material and labor costs, assembly weight, installation time and performance requirements. The effects of that choice can extend well beyond the floor itself.

Additional Resources

• Clarifying ASTM E136: Reinforcing Consistency in Noncombustible Material Testing
• Fire Changes Everything: Why Cold-Formed Steel Is Reshaping Housing Construction
• Prefabricated Cold-Formed Steel Panels Cut Costs, Speed Construction of 7-Story Tucson Apartments

The post NEXGEN: How Floor Substrate Selection Can Affect CFS Project Costs and the Construction Schedule appeared first on BuildSteel.org.

      

Related Stories

• CFS Bearing Walls Expand Options for Cross-Laminated Timber Floor Systems
• Australian Research Council and Scottsdale Fund CFS Floor Truss Research
• R.A. Smith Wins SFIA Award for Project at 1122 W. Chicago, Chicago, Ill.

 

The Kullarri Building Company completed the Mistletoe Avenue Social Housing Project in Kununurra in 2022. The project provides a case study in local CFS production, off-site fabrication and digitally integrated manufacturing. Crews framed individual houses in one to two days, according to Howick.

Cold-formed steel (CFS) framing crews reduced waste and framed individual houses at the Mistletoe Avenue project in one to two days.

The location presented its own challenges. Temperatures in Kununurra can exceed 40 degrees Celsius, or 104 degrees Fahrenheit. High humidity, torrential rain and strong winds add to the demanding construction environment.

Kullarri Building turned to Kimberley Manufacturing Pty Ltd, or KMPL, for the project’s steel frames and trusses. KMPL manufactures CFS framing in the region using Howick roll-forming technology. Local production reduced freight movements and overall onsite time, according to Howick. Howick is an SFIA member.

The Howick case study identifies four key CFS benefits from the project:

• Reliable framing supply during a timber supply crisis
• Individual houses framed in one to two days
• Reduced waste at the construction site
• About 20% lower production costs than conventional methods

Why Kullarri Building Chose CFS Framing

Kullarri Building specifies CFS framing where possible, according to Howick. For the Kununurra project, local fabrication kept framing production closer to the construction site. That reduced the number of freight movements required to support construction.

The framing also suited the demanding conditions in Kununurra. The region regularly faces extreme heat, humidity, heavy rain, high winds and termites.

KMPL also points to the economics of the framing system. The company says its CFS solution costs about 20% less to produce than conventional framing methods. KMPL attributes the difference to lower material requirements and fewer labor hours.

The project also unfolded during a timber supply crisis. Local steel production gave Kullarri Building another source for framing while timber supplies faced disruption.

KMPL integrated Vertex design software with Howick roll-forming equipment to move framing information from design into fabrication.

Digital Design Moves Into Fabrication

KMPL integrated Vertex design software with its Howick roll-forming equipment. The connection helped move framing information from design into fabrication and supported rapid assembly onsite.

“The integration between Howick and Vertex is unparalleled – it rolled out and fabricated flawlessly,” KMPL Operations Manager Mick Palazzo said.

According to Howick, crews framed individual houses in one to two days. The project illustrates how fabrication decisions can affect work beyond the manufacturing facility. Local CFS production reduced freight movements and waste while helping shorten onsite framing time.

KMPL operates in Broome, in Western Australia’s Kimberley region. Both KMPL and Kullarri Building are Indigenous-owned companies. KMPL said it felt “particularly lucky” to contribute to social housing programs across the region.

Framing manufacturer KMPL says its cold-formed steel (CFS) digital design enabled rapid onsite construction time.

Read the complete Howick case study.

Additional Resources

• Howick Case Study: CFS Panelization Delivers Walls for 100 Homes in 4 Months
• Howick Case Study: Panelized CFS Framing Accelerates Hotel Construction by 4 Months
• SFIA Member Howick’s Steel-Framing Tech Cuts Labor Hours by 50% to 70%, CEO Says

The post Howick: CFS Framing for Australian Housing Project Cost About 20% Less to Produce, Fabricator Says appeared first on BuildSteel.org.

      

Related Stories

• Update #10: CFS Aids Saudi Gigaprojects, Wisconsin Housing and Australian Modular Housing
• Update #16: Cold-Formed Steel for Wildfire Recovery, Campus Housing and Prefab Construction
• Prefabricated Steel Framing and CLT Hybrid Design Cuts Student Housing Construction Timeline by 25%

 

It also gives the association a complicated leadership assignment. Different members bring different business interests, market pressures and customer needs. SFIA Executive Director Don Allen addressed that challenge on FRAMECAD’s Steel Framing Connections podcast. FRAMECAD is an SFIA member.

Host Matt Stillwell explored Allen’s career and the forces shaping North American steel framing. Their conversation covered resilience, sustainability, workforce development, automation and off-site construction. Throughout the interview, Allen returned to SFIA’s role as an industry connector.

“What works for the roll formers and manufacturers doesn’t always work as well for the contractors or steel mills,” Allen said. “But our mission is to expand the market for steel framing.”

Don Allen, executive director of the Steel Framing Industry Association, joined host Matt Stillwell on FRAMECAD’s Steel Framing Connections podcast.

One Industry, Many Perspectives

Allen entered the industry in 1990 as a structural engineer with CFS manufacturer Unimast. He later worked for engineering firms, industry associations and Super Stud Building Products. Those roles exposed him to many perspectives within the steel framing business.

Now finishing his second year as SFIA’s executive director, Allen must align those perspectives. He sees a common message in steel’s speed, light weight and resilience. That message can move members toward shared goals instead of internal competition.

“We want something that is light, fast and resilient, and steel has a great story to tell,” Allen said. “By trying to get everybody focused on that message rather than fighting against each other, we can do some great things.”

SFIA extends that unifying approach beyond its membership. The association partners with groups that sometimes represent competing building materials. For example, SFIA works with the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association on noncombustible construction.

It also collaborates with the Metal Construction Association and Metal Roofing Alliance. Those partnerships promote buildings that resist fire and other hazards. SFIA also works with government agencies, educational organizations and trade schools.

“We can’t do it alone, so we partner with other organizations to educate people at every level,” Allen said. The association reviews curricula, conducts outreach to architects and general contractors, hosts webinars and publishes content on BuildSteel.org.

Standards Create a Common Foundation

Education remains essential because many project teams still view CFS framing as unfamiliar. Allen said the industry already knows how to build successfully with the material. The larger challenge involves connecting that knowledge with new users.

Industry standards give those users a dependable starting point. Allen contrasted today’s market with the industry he joined in 1990. At that time, CFS framing lacked its own standards.

“It was a bit of the Wild West,” Allen said. 

Today, SFIA operates a code compliance certification program. The SFIA label shows that products meet applicable requirements and material tolerances, he said.

That consistency supports wider adoption across markets. Allen estimated that about 90% of North American commercial projects use some steel framing. Residential construction, however, offers a much larger growth opportunity.

Allen placed CFS framing’s residential share at approximately 2% to 4%. Builders increasingly recognize its advantages in wildfire, high-wind and termite-prone regions. Hawaii and Florida have made particularly strong residential inroads, he said.

Steel does not feed fires, termites or vermin. It also resists mold growth and requires no special chemical treatments. Its light weight can support vertical additions with less reinforcement.

Don Allen discusses how industry unity can expand cold-formed steel (CFS) framing markets on a recent FRAMECAD podcast.

Connecting Technology, Labor and New Markets

SFIA also helps the industry respond to construction’s persistent labor shortage. The association reaches younger workers through schools, outreach programs and curriculum reviews. Allen sees CFS framing as a gateway into an increasingly high-tech industry.

Panelization creates a practical training path for new workers. Shops can produce marked components for assembly in controlled environments. Workers can learn there before advancing to more complex field installation.

Off-site construction provides another answer to field labor constraints. Steel’s straightness, dimensional stability and low weight suit factory panel production. Cut-to-length roll forming can also reduce framing waste to small punch-outs.

Allen connected that efficiency to steel’s broader sustainability story. Magnets make steel easy to separate from other materials during recycling. Manufacturing scrap retains value and can return to steel mills.

“Steel is infinitely recyclable,” Allen said. 

He also noted that electric arc furnaces produce roughly 70% of North American steel. Those furnaces use more recycled material and support a circular economy.

New markets show what coordinated industry growth can deliver. Allen highlighted data centers, which require tall partitions and pressurized aisle enclosures. Those projects demand speed, durability and fire-rated assemblies.

SFIA can connect proven systems, qualified companies and reliable information across such markets. That coordinating role may prove essential as more project teams evaluate CFS framing.

“People don’t know what they don’t know,” Allen said. “That’s why online educational resources are important.”

Watch the interview and read FRAMECAD’s summary of podcast Episode 9, “Why CFS Is Growing with Don Allen.”

Additional Resources

• SFIA Releases New Industry-Average Environmental Product Declaration for Cold-Formed Steel Framing
• Data Center Growth Drives Steel Framing Demand, Says SFIA’s Don Allen
• CFS 101 In Practice: Real-World Examples of Project Teams Using Cold-Formed Steel

The post FRAMECAD Podcast: Don Allen Explains How SFIA Is Unifying the Steel Framing Industry appeared first on BuildSteel.org.

      

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A major fire destroyed a 5-story apartment building under construction on Olympia Drive in Amherst, Massachusetts. Wood framing formed the building’s structural system. At the time of the fire, the building lacked operational sprinklers and complete fire-resistant assemblies. The incident raised concerns about the risks large combustible buildings can present during this vulnerable stage of construction, says an article on Amherst Indy.

Cold-formed steel (CFS) offers noncombustible framing for walls, floors and roofs. Unlike wood framing, CFS does not burn or contribute fuel to a fire. This characteristic provides an important advantage. CFS can also maintain structural integrity longer when exposed to high temperatures.

The Amherst fire drew attention to nearby properties and the challenges of responding to large construction fires. The fire also demonstrates why framing selection should be part of construction-phase fire planning.

Read the full article. 

Steel Supports Wildfire-Resilient Home Design

A California homebuilder is using cold-formed steel (CFS) for homes designed to address wildfire risk. Metricon Homes developed its Firesafe Home for houses and accessory dwelling units in fire-prone communities, according to an article on Woodworking Network. 

The design uses CFS for structural framing as part of a broader fire-resistant construction strategy.

CFS brings a key characteristic to that strategy. Steel does not burn or contribute fuel to a fire. Metricon Homes also identifies several advantages of CFS construction:

• Maintains structural integrity under extreme heat
• Resists warping, shrinking, splitting and rot
• Resists structural damage from termites
• Maintains precise dimensions that support fire-stopping measures
• Creates tight-fitting assemblies that resist flame penetration
• Provides consistent performance across climate conditions

 

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Building with steel takes on added relevance in California communities that have experienced destructive wildfires. Firesafe Home models include designs for areas such as Altadena and Pacific Palisades where wildfire exposure influences material selection.

Read the full article. 

Steel Frames a New Approach to Palisades Rebuild

Rebuilding Pacific Palisades after the January 2025 wildfire has focused attention on alternative construction methods for wildfire-prone communities. Architects and builders are considering how structural materials can help address wildfire exposure, as noted in the New York Post article, “Is the Palisades being rebuilt to burn down again?”

Some home designs in the Palisades are incorporating noncombustible steel systems. One approach combines cold-formed steel (CFS) framing with concrete panels. RSG3-D manufactures walls with a foam-and-steel core between concrete panels. The company says the system presents no combustible material to an approaching wildfire. 

Of course, structural systems form just one part of that approach, alongside other measures that protect homes from wildfire. The Palisades projects demonstrate how noncombustible steel systems can contribute to residential design in communities facing wildfire risk.

Read the full article. 

Additional Resources

• Fire Changes Everything: Why Cold-Formed Steel Is Reshaping Housing Construction
• Home Builders Turn to Steel as Wildfire Threats Intensify
• Update: Insurance Costs Are Re-Shaping Construction Choices — And the Data Speaks for Itself

The post Noncombustibility Report #1: Construction Fire Risk, Wildfire-Resilient Homes and Palisades Rebuild appeared first on BuildSteel.org.

      

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Individuals conducting whole building life cycle assessments, or WBLCA, bring a variety of backgrounds to the work. WBLCA tools and overarching standards provide some structure and consistency to calculations.

However, practitioners still use a wide variety of calculation methods. Educational resources also remain limited for common pitfalls and best practices when modeling steel systems.

The new publication provides more granular direction for project teams during design. Steel Framing Industry Association (SFIA) staff, including Technical Director Pat Ford, Executive Director Don Allen and Program General Manager Robert Grupe. Adam Shoemaker with member ClarkDietrich also participated on the research team.

“SFIA welcomed the opportunity to contribute its steel framing expertise to this effort,” says Don Allen, SFIA executive director. “Consistent modeling, quantity takeoffs and carbon data can strengthen how project teams evaluate steel systems within WBLCA.”

The Carbon Leadership Forum and American Institute of Steel Construction released Project LCA Guidance for Steel Systems to support more consistent embodied carbon assessments.

Download

Creating Consistency in Project Assessments

The framework focuses on decisions that project teams make during design in four key areas:

• Structuring project life cycle assessments
• Performing quantity takeoffs for steel systems
• Applying embodied carbon data
• Comparing options during project design

These areas can vary among practitioners despite existing standards and assessment tools.

The resource serves anyone working with steel products within the context of WBLCA. That audience includes engineers, designers, contractors, sustainability consultants, academics and students.

Project teams can apply the framework to new construction and renovation building projects. Its principles could also apply to other project-scale applications, including infrastructure.

The publication focuses on common systems and data available in North America. This focus connects the resource with information available to practitioners working with steel systems.

WBLCA uses defined life cycle stages and modules to organize environmental impacts and communicate which phases an assessment includes.

Connecting Standards With Project Decisions

Project LCA Guidance for Steel Systems addresses a gap in current life cycle assessment practices.

Existing certifications and standards establish overarching rules for assessments. These include LEED, ILFI, ASHRAE 240p, the SEI prestandard and ASTM 2921.

Practitioners still make everyday modeling decisions when applying those broader requirements. Project LCA Guidance for Steel Systems provides additional detail for those calculations and data considerations.

The framework works alongside prevailing standards and provides additional detail for practitioners. Its approach does not conflict with those standards.

This connection brings overarching requirements closer to everyday modeling decisions. Practitioners receive more detailed direction for calculations and data considerations during project assessments.

The new guide provides more standardized approaches for structuring project LCAs. It also addresses quantity takeoffs, embodied carbon data and comparisons between options.

Strengthening Steel Assessments

Practitioners gain more detailed direction for assessing embodied carbon in steel systems. The framework connects overarching standards with everyday project-level LCA decisions.

Project teams can apply the framework across several areas:

• New construction projects
• Building renovation projects
• Other project-scale applications, including infrastructure
• Steel system assessments within WBLCA

Project LCA Guidance for Steel Systems gives professionals across multiple disciplines a common technical framework. It addresses LCA structure, quantity takeoffs, embodied carbon data and comparisons.

By connecting overarching rules with everyday modeling decisions, the framework supports greater consistency in embodied carbon assessments for steel systems.

To download Project LCA Guidance for Steel Systems, visit the Carbon Leadership Forum website.

Additional Resources

• SFIA Releases New Industry-Average Environmental Product Declaration for Cold-Formed Steel Framing
• How to Specify Low Embodied Carbon Steel Framing for Construction Projects
• Green Building or Green Washing? A SFIA Event in Las Vegas Provided Answers

The post New Guidance Helps Assess Embodied Carbon in Steel Systems appeared first on BuildSteel.org.

      

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For cold-formed steel (CFS) framing, that shift creates both an opportunity and a test. Steel offers strong recyclability. And off-site manufacturing can lower the generation of material waste. 

“Cold-formed structural steel framing … has become one of the most defensible material choices for developers and contractors pursuing sustainable construction and credible ESG performance,” says a recent article on CFS sustainability by SFIA member Arkitech.

But project teams increasingly want evidence that quantifies those advantages. Arkitech acknowledges that no material, on its own, can “make a project or a company ESG compliant.”

Instead, Arkitech argues that project teams must evaluate framing within the context of the complete building. That means considering the quantities, circularity and manufacturing of the materials.

Credit for all images: Arkitech

Cold-formed steel (CFS) framing combines the precision of off-site manufacturing with steel’s recyclability to reduce construction waste.

Material Quantities: Embodied Carbon Requires a Whole-Building View

The buildings and construction sector produces about 37% of global energy-related and process-related carbon dioxide emissions. Arkitech cites that figure from the United Nations Environment Programme.

“UNEP projects that as buildings become more energy efficient, operational emissions will fall from roughly 75% of the sector total toward 50%, pushing embodied carbon in materials into the foreground,” the Arkitech article says.

That shift puts greater scrutiny on concrete, steel, insulation and other construction products. It also changes how project teams compare framing systems. Arkitech cautions against comparing framing materials solely by carbon emissions per unit of weight. Such comparisons can overlook how much material a building actually requires.

Arkitech argues that teams should compare systems through whole-building life-cycle assessments. Those assessments can consider material quantities, structural requirements and related building components. Arkitech also notes that lighter structures such as cold-formed steel framing can reduce foundation loads.

Cold-formed steel (CFS) framing can support whole-building life-cycle performance by reducing material weight and foundation loads while meeting structural requirements.

Steel Brings Circularity Into the Equation

Steel’s ability to return to the material stream strengthens its sustainability case. Arkitech calls circularity one of cold-formed steel’s strongest environmental attributes. Steel can undergo repeated recycling without losing its structural properties.

Still, Arkitech warns against using structural steel recycling rates for CFS framing. The distinction matters because different steel products have different recovery rates.

Arkitech cites an American Institute of Steel Construction report saying “around 98% of structural steel is recovered and recycled at the end of a building’s life.” The report says that recovery rate exceeds those of many competing structural materials.

BuildSteel reported a 74% recycling rate for steel used in general construction, based on a 2021 American Iron and Steel Institute report. That category includes cold-formed steel stud scrap.

Steel connections can also support disassembly and reuse. Arkitech notes that crews typically screw and bolt steel framing together. This approach can allow crews to dismantle components and potentially reuse some of them directly. Arkitech also cites research showing environmental benefits when life-cycle assessments account for easy disassembly.

Manufacturing: Off-Site Construction Can Reduce Waste

The sustainability case for CFS also extends into manufacturing. Cold-formed steel works well with digital design and automated production. Roll-forming equipment can form CFS components to precise dimensions before they reach the jobsite. That precision can reduce field cutting and material waste.

Arkitech cites research showing substantial waste reductions from modular and off-site construction. 

• One study examined 59 building cases and found nearly 80% average waste reduction from modular construction 
• Another analysis found modular methods reduced waste weight by as much as 83% 
• Arkitech also cites studies reporting about 52% average waste reduction from prefabrication

Those figures describe modular and off-site construction broadly, not CFS framing alone. Even so, cold-formed steel “enables these highly controlled off-site workflows and can therefore participate directly in the waste reductions they deliver,” the Arkitech article says.

The connection between design and manufacturing matters to Arkitech’s own technology. Its systems connect structural design information with automated roll-forming equipment. The goal is to carry design data directly into manufacturing and preserve material efficiency from design through production.

Sources: Arkitech; ASCE Journal of Management in Engineering (2024); Buildings (MDPI); AISC.

EPDs Put Numbers Behind the Claims

Environmental Product Declarations give project teams another way to measure material impacts. EPDs provide standardized environmental information based on life-cycle assessment. Arkitech identifies EPDs as a core tool for material transparency and sustainability reporting.

SFIA released a new industry-average EPD for CFS framing in August 2026. UL Solutions certified the Type III declaration. It covers structural and nonstructural CFS framing products for walls, roofs, floors and ceilings. Twelve manufacturers contributed production data to the underlying life-cycle assessment.

The EPD reports cradle-to-gate impacts for life-cycle stages A1 through A3. Those stages cover raw materials, transportation to manufacturing facilities and CFS product manufacturing. The declaration uses one metric ton of CFS framing products as its declared unit. WAP Sustainability conducted the life-cycle assessment.

The EPD gives project teams industry-average environmental data for North American CFS framing. It can support life-cycle assessments and project sustainability documentation. It also moves the discussion from general environmental claims toward measurable information.

From Sustainability Claims to Measurable Performance

Arkitech’s analysis ultimately makes a qualified case for CFS framing. Steel offers strong recyclability, while off-site manufacturing can reduce material waste. But project teams still need to evaluate those advantages within the context of the complete building.

Whole-building life-cycle assessments, recycling data and EPDs give project teams tools to make those evaluations. They can quantify environmental impacts and put material claims into the context of actual building systems.

That may represent the larger sustainability opportunity for CFS framing. As owners and designers demand greater environmental accountability, broad claims will carry less weight. The sustainability case will increasingly depend on showing the numbers behind the claims.

Additional Resources

• SFIA Releases New Industry-Average Environmental Product Declaration for Cold-Formed Steel Framing
• Arkitech Highlights Manufacturing Trends Shaping Cold-Formed Steel Production
• 10 Reasons to Frame Your Next Project with Steel

The post Arkitech Insights: How CFS Framing Makes Its Case for Sustainable Construction appeared first on BuildSteel.org.

      

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