Why are Major Chain and Franchise Restaurants Turning to Prefab Metal Buildings and Panelized Metal Stud Framing Construction?

In the thirty-plus years of my construction career, I have estimated and project managed a number of franchise restaurant construction jobs. These types of projects have seen an evolution in the way they are being designed and constructed. Today, many chain and franchise designers are turning to panelized metal stud framing as the construction method of choice for their Metal Resturarant Buildings.

In earlier years, these projects were being designed and built as 'one-off' type of construction. Although ideas were being standardized, each project was looked at as an evolving construction concept. Each had new notions and details that changed the way the project was looked at and built.

Some of the early buildings were built from wood stud framing and wood trussed roofs. Others were constructed of 'stick-framed' structural steel with mainly wood framing (and later light frame steel) infill.

As design concepts matured, they became more standardized. The facades and parapets leant themselves to being panelized. Here again, the material of choice a number of years ago was lumber for the pre-built panels.

Today, steel has become not only the material of choice, but also the material of necessity because of building codes.

Building codes are becoming much more strict in the use of flammable materials in commercial assembly buildings - including restaurants. Some have even dictated that all framing materials must be non-combustible. Enter buildings of metal stud framing  and prefab metal building kits to accommodate this mandate.

The higher cost of metal studs versus wood studs was a major factor in material use in the past. That gap in these costs have closed considerably. As many contractors become familiar with the use of metal studs and especially panelization, they are reluctant to return to the use of lumber framing.


Why metal stud framing?

Framing with metal studs provides a wide array of advantages over wood framing materials. First and foremost for commercial buildings is the fact that metal studs are non-combustible. Metal studs do not twist, crack, warp, shrink, or rot as wood can. More-over, metal studs do not promote the growth of mould and are not affected by termites and are impermeable to other insects and rodents.


Why PANELIZED metal stud framing?

Having your construction project's framing panelized - in a quality controlled environment - gives the you peace-of-mind in knowing that the framing has been completed in superior workman-like manner. The panels are constructed square and true with all materials and fasteners positioned as engineered. Even the sub-sheathing can be installed in the metal stud panels prior to erection. All load bearing walls (and interior partition walls as well if desired) are pre-built in panels ready for shipment and erection of site. Panelized metal stud systems can speed the on-site construction process considerably. Metal roof trusses can be pre-fabricated as well. All of this work can be completed while the civil work (excavation, footings and foundations) is being done on the building site. The metal building framework can then be quickly set into place minimizing the on-site erection time.


Other Features and Benefits

Steel is 100% recyclable.

There is about 67% of recycled steel in metal framing materials.

Metal stud panelized construction reduces land-fill use and cost by as much as 18 - 20% when compared to wood framing.

In many cases, metal stud framed buildings have reduced insurance costs.

With so many advantages, it's no wonder that the major chain and franchise restaurant market is turning to panelized metal stud framing for their restaurant buildings.
 


What to Do Next

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