[pgettinger01]

They use aluminum studs for a reason for example walls greater than 10 feet. The cost of wood has increased a lot. Maybe more aluminum studs will be used in the future. They have some advantages for example fireproof, mold, termites...

[DAVES]

Originally Posted by Villages Kahuna

Interior studs are steel and wider spaced than the exterior wood studs. Exterior studs are 16-inches on centers while the interior studs are 24-inches. “Load-bearing” isn’t an issue because the weight of the ceilings and roof in Villages designs is all borne by the rafters which transfer the overhead weight to the exterior walls.

Our builder explained why the different materials. It’s because the quality of wood studs has become so unreliable. He said that there have to throw away 10-15% of all the wood studs they buy, and they’re still not the quality they’d like. He said the use of steel on interior walls (except door and window frames, of course) not only saves money, but also provides much “straighter” walls. We have a Lantana and he showed me how straight and even the really long interior wall was. He said that would be impossible with the wood studs they buy.

Re: lumber quality
Our previous home was built in 1948. Typical framing lumber 2x4 used to be bigger than it is now. Also, framing lumber is grown on sort of farms for fast growth. Comparing old lumber to new you will see wider spacing between the rings, showing the fast growth.
The same wood variety grown slower, narrow rings will be both harder and stronger.

A friend had a home that was framed with walnut. Whatever his home was worth as a home, it was probably worth more to take it apart and sell the lumber.

[DAVES]

Originally Posted by pgettinger01

They use aluminum studs for a reason for example walls greater than 10 feet. The cost of wood has increased a lot. Maybe more aluminum studs will be used in the future. They have some advantages for example fireproof, mold, termites...

For what it is worth, they are steel not aluminum. Aluminum is far more expensive than steel and it melts at a fairly low temperature.

[Tmarkwald]

Originally Posted by DAVES

For what it is worth, they are steel not aluminum. Aluminum is far more expensive than steel and it melts at a fairly low temperature.

And, aluminum is softer. The screws we use to go into the steel studs have slightly different, self-tapping tip as well.

[MandoMan]

Originally Posted by jbrown132

This may be totally wrong but I was told by the builder that there are no load bearing walls in standard Villages designs. The loads are all dispersed through the type of roofs they build. The reason for this was so they could use the same footprint for several home designs.

You may mean no loadbearing INTERIOR walls. the EXTERIOR walls are ALL load bearing. They are carrying the weight of the roof trusses, which in most houses here extend from exterior wall To exterior wall. The interior walls are sort of loosely connected to the trusses so the walls don’t wobble, but the outer walls actually support the roof weight. Ideally, (and perhaps in all new construction,) the trusses are connected to the outer wall top plates not only with nails but with steel straps properly nailed in which make it much less likely that a hurricane will pull off your roof. It’s known as Wind Mitigation, and if you have proof that you have them, your house insurance will be much lower.

[airstreamingypsy]

If you have steel interior studs, how do you hang things like TVs and even pictures on the wall?

[tonycirocco@me.com]

Originally Posted by pgettinger01

They use aluminum studs for a reason for example walls greater than 10 feet. The cost of wood has increased a lot. Maybe more aluminum studs will be used in the future. They have some advantages for example fireproof, mold, termites...

Aluminum??

[Tmarkwald]

Originally Posted by airstreamingypsy

If you have steel interior studs, how do you hang things like TVs and even pictures on the wall?

use monkey hooks for pictures.

For TVs - here's short video for your enjoyment.

How to Wall Mount a TV to Metal Studs - YouTube

[kcwhel]

remove an electrical outlet or switch plate cover and you will be able to see or poke at the stud above or below the box.

[bilcon]

You should be as lucky as I was. I bought a 2 year old Iris and the original owner was anal. He took pictures from the day the land was cleared, every day inside and outside until the house was finished. I can see clearly where every stud is, how the pool was constructed etc. Really neat.

[sloanst]

Both, Dependent on the engineering plans, both steel and wood studs are used in most of these homes.

[nick demis]

After looking at our house that is in the framing stage, both with no rhyme or reason. When I asked the contractor this morning, he said that he is installing as per plans given to him, with a shrug.

[John_W]

...

[Jerry Leinsing]

Depends on builder and code.
Regardless of type, easy way to find where studs are is with rare earth magnet sandwiched in piece of tape. Flexs to move if close to a screw. Find one, then move up and down to find others, knowing that the screw may not be dead center of the stud. Got lots of money, go buy a stud finder that finds both kinds of studs. Just specify type to find.

[Steve Mosher]

Originally Posted by KEVIN & JOSIE

Are interior studs on new designer homes wood or steel? Thanks

Some homes are wood, others steel. Depends on avail of wood at time of construction. Contact the sub-contracter company that built your home by calling the warranty dept.