Who Is Metallbau?
Metallbau designs shop drawings and fabricates components, using light gauge steel framing (LGSF) for major commercial projects using common, off-the-shelf components. We specialize in multi-story, multi-family projects, . Metallbau can serve projects anywhere in the western United States. Metallbau is a recognized leader in LGSF technology and construction and brings unique 'value-added' services and extensive quality control to your building team.

Why is Metallbau Special?
Unlike our competitors, Metallbau has developed proprietary CAD software, logistics management systems, and specialized training methods that allow us to efficiently manage the complexity involved in the design, fabrication, and erection of light gauge steel. We combine 'factory-built' quality control methods with on-site operations to achieve labor and material savings.

Are Metallbau's Prices Competitive?
Metallbau's unique proprietary design and fabrication systems allow us to build LGSF at competitive prices. In the Portland, Oregon we have found our LGSF costs to be within a price range preferred by general contractors. Seattle LGSF prices are slightly higher. Metallbau achieves competitive costs through labor saving information technology systems. Our costs are especially competitive when combined with PT-slab construction and can save up to five to seven dollars per square foot.

When Should Metallbau Be Involved?
Metallbau can save the design team time and money if we get involved early in the project design process-certainly before construction documents begin. We can help set realistic time schedules, budgets, and assist with value engineering and detailing that can eliminate backtracking and false starts.

Can We Re-engineer Existing Wood Plans?
Metallbau has been involved in numerous projects where existing wood plans were reengineered into LGSF. Depending upon the engineer and his experience, fees can range from $0.30 to $0.60/SF of building area. This cost would be added to the basic contract cost of the LGSF provided by Metallbau.

What Projects Has Metallbau Completed?
Metallbau has had major projects in California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, South Dakota, and Hawaii. Project sizes have ranged between 42,000 square feet and 250,000 square feet. Building heights have ranged from one to five stories.

What Does Metallbau's Scope of Work Include?
Our work typically includes the following components: all walls including bearing and non-bearing; floor framing including metal decking, C-joists, or light gauge steel trusses; LGSF roof trusses; floor and roof sheathing-either plywood or metal decking; shear wall installation and complete backing of walls. In other words, materials for a complete building frame ready for Sheetrock. (We typically don't include window installation or application of exterior gypsum board).

Does LGSF Offer Cost Savings?
Metallbau's LGSF products and services offer many life cycle cost advantages that need to be recognized by new customers. LGSF is non-combustible and reduces hard costs such as 'course-of-construction', 'permanent' insurance, and sprinkler costs. LGSF offers other many other savings that can amount to over $2.00 per square foot of gross building floor area. LGSF virtually eliminates 'stud-straightening.'

Is LGSF Green?
LGSF is considerably 'greener' than wood. Almost 66% of LGSF is recycled--we often say "four old Fords or 44 trees". Metallbau has prepared a detailed 'white paper' that addresses many of the frequently asked questions that architects and owners ask. Besides being greener, Metallbau's LGSF has at least 77 other advantages over wood.

What About Heat Loss?
LGSF requires a thermal break at the exterior of the framing. Just like your refrigerator at home, our LGSF buildings use light gauge steel combined with a continuous foam thermal break. LGSF buildings insulated in this manner can meet or exceed R-values found in traditional old-fashioned wood frame construction.

Are Building Inspectors Familiar with LGSF?
Building inspectors typically ask Metallbau many questions during the course of a project. To date we haven't had a project slowed down by inspectors (remember that licensed engineers have designed the structure). To preempt any problems, Metallbau has prepared special information packets and designed pre-construction work sessions that have greatly increased the cooperation between inspectors and the building team.

How Many Stories Can Be Built?
In the Northwest LGSF has been built to 8-stories in height. Buildings over 5 stories in height require Type II Fire Resistive (FR) construction that normally increases the framing cost about 15%. Metallbau has built, or is preparing to build, projects ranging from one to five stories in height. Extra stories (above five) can be achieved with LGSF, but local conditions and specific project economics will determine the feasibility.

How Does Building Height Affect Costs?
Building height will affect LGSF costs because taller buildings require heavier stud gauges and tighter spacing. Generally speaking, a three or four story is somewhat less expensive that one and two-story buildings, because there is proportionately less roof framing. Pitched roofs are typically more expensive than floor assemblies. LGSF buildings exceeding five stories cause an immediate price increase of about 15% to 25% because Type II construction will be required.

Is LGSF Economical For Type II Construction?
Our LGSF structures can achieve Type II construction which typically require some 2-hour rated walls and floor/ceiling assemblies. The building would include concrete floor slabs, non-combustible shear wall systems, and fire-retardant roof sheathing assemblies. We have found that Type II FR construction can be achieved with an approximately 15% to 20% increase in first framing costs. Life cycle saving will reduce the net cost.

Will Subcontractors Charge More?
By and large we have found that most commercial subcontractors are already familiar with light gauge steel framing. Sheetrock subs may increase prices in taller buildings in those areas where heavier gauge bearing walls support multiple floor levels. Metallbau is very aware of these issues and has developed systems to support subcontractors and to ease their transition into LGSF buildings. For example, we punch electrical holes in wall plates so electrical subs can start running wire immediately. We also offer additional support for plumbers and other subcontractors with information such as simplified plumbing layout drawings.

Can We Eliminate 'Surprises'?
Metallbau prides itself on being able to reduce most 'surprises' from projects-but there is always a learning curve for new design teams unfamiliar with LGSF. We intensively utilize proprietary pre-construction checklists that educate new customers and their design team. This quality control process eliminates most unknowns before the design and construction process begins.

Is Additional Structural Steel Required?
The short answer is-no more than wood. When heavy point-loads or especially long floor spans are required, some structural steel may be required to carry specific loading conditions. Metallbau's systems and CAD software allows us to pre-coordinate all structural steel in both the vertical and horizontal directions before the steel detailer gets involved-thus saving time. Metallbau can erect minor structural steel, but we take on that work on a case by case basis.

Do LGSF Prices Fluctuate?
LGSF prices normally are very stable (over the past ten years were almost flat) versus wood prices that can vary up to 50% in one year. Until 2002 there was currently a worldwide glut of steel. The recent removal of the steel tariffs is expected to steady steel prices for the foreseeable future. Steel is readily available in all areas of the country.

How Do Building Details Differ?
Building details for LGSF vary significantly from traditional wood framing. However, Metallbau has a library of over 400 'standard' details that we always share with new architects and engineers. A thorough review of required details should be undertaken prior to the beginning of the construction documents. In addition, Metallbau can provide structural engineers with a copy of our proprietary 'Guidebook for Structural Engineers'.

Are Metallbau Products Approved?
Metallbau can supply UL approvals and ICBO approvals for all the assemblies we build. Metallbau is a licensed fabricator for both Alpine (TrusSteel) and Allied Studco floor and roof trusses.

How Is Schedule Affected?
Metallbau can usually accomplish our shop drawings and fabrication within 30 to 45 days of notification to proceed. Our steel fabrication can start about the same time as groundwork. Metallbau's prefabricating methods allow us to quickly erect the building once slabs are available-in about the same time frame as wood, or less.

How Do I Get Started?
Metallbau has prepared a "Getting Started" section in our Introductory Brochure that explains the basic decisions and steps required to start a light gauge steel framing project. Please read it before beginning your planning work.