Light gauge steel (sometimes called cold-formed steel) framing components (or “members”) are made from structural-quality sheet steel that is formed into shapes either through press-braking blanks sheared from sheets or coils, or more commonly, by roll-forming the steel through a series of dies. Unlike hot-formed structural I-beams, neither process requires heat to form the shape, thus the name “cold-formed” steel. Light gauge steel products are usually thinner, faster to produce, and cost less than their hot-formed counter-parts.

Residential steel framing utilizes cold-formed steel members for walls, floors, and roofs. The framing members are C-sections with standard dimensions similar to wood framing members in stick-framed and panelized construction.

Steel mills produce galvanized sheet steel, the base material for steel framing. Sheet steel is roll-formed into the required shapes. The sheets are zinc coated (galvanized) to prevent corrosion, thus the material is sometimes referred to as light gauge galvanized steel (LGGS), or simply, light gauge steel (LGS). Although there are a variety of shapes available, the primary shapes used in residential construction are the C-shape stud and the U-shaped track. Framing members are generally produced in thicknesses called gauges - the lower the gauge, the thicker the member. Most interior, non-load bearing steel framed walls are either 25 or 20 gauge. The 25 gauge steel is the lightest, or thinnest (.018” thick) material available. Heavier gauges, such as 18, 16, 14, and 12, are used for curtain wall or load bearing framing.