Types and Applications of Light-Gauge Steel Studs & Tracks | Metal Framing Solutions

banner
Types and Applications of Light-gauge Steel Studs & Tracks
17 09, 2025

The family can be summarized as “3 big groups, 7 cross-sections, 9 typical jobs”.

1. Grouped by job in the building
1) Partition studs (code “C”)

Depths: 50, 75, 100, 150 mm. The deeper, the stronger and the better the sound insulation.

Use: non-load-bearing internal walls; cavities are filled with mineral wool for fire or acoustic upgrades.

2) Ceiling framing (code “U”)

Main channel: U38, U45, U50, U60.

Components: main runner (carries load), furring channel (supports boards), wall angle (perimeter trim).

Use: suspended gypsum, mineral-fibre or aluminium ceiling panels, including complex curved bulkheads.

3) Special-purpose sections  
Tile-batten rails for pitched roofs  
Curtain-wall sub-frames for stone or fibre-cement rain-screens  
Whole-house LSF for low-rise residential (light-steel villas)  
Through-runners (bridging) that tie vertical studs into a stable wall.

2. Seven common cross-sections

Code

Shape

Typical use

C

C-section

vertical studs, ceiling furring

U

U-track

floor & head tracks, perimeter wall angle

CH

deep C

tall walls or where large services run horizontally

T

T-bar

exposed grid for mineral-fibre tiles

L

angle

corner reinforcement or door bucks

H

hat

heavy-duty ceiling or double-board systems

V

V-shape

legacy decorative troughs, now rare


3. Corrosion protection
Z120–Z275 hot-dip zinc (≥ 80 g/m²): normal dry interiors  
AZ150 aluminium-zinc: 3–6× better corrosion—ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, basements  
Colour-coated zinc: visible feature sections can be factory-finished to any RAL colour

4. Nine everyday applications
1. Open-plan offices, hotels, hospitals—50 mm or 60 mm heavy-duty ceiling runners; walk-on maintenance load.  
2. Apartments & houses—75 mm or 100mm


Share:
Inquiry