FAQs

What is cold-formed steel?
Cold-formed steel is manufactured into varying shapes from galvanized steel coils of various thicknesses on high-speed, continuous roll-forming machines. As the name suggests, no heat is used and the material is cut to specific lengths during this process.

How does cold-formed steel framing compare to wood framing?
While the general shapes of wood and cold-formed steel framing are similar, in material terms they are very different. Wood members are fully combustible, quality varies markedly and framing creates a lot of landfill waste. Cold-formed steel is uniform quality, made to national standards and is of course 100% non-combustible. Being recycled/recyclable material means that there is ZERO landfill waste on a cold-formed steel framing project.

What is the difference between light-gauge and cold-formed steel?
Light-gauge and cold-formed both refer to exactly the same material, however the nomenclature started towards cold-formed steel a few years ago. 'Light-gauge' tends to hint at the steel being non-structural, which in structural cold-steel framing is obviously not the case, so the industry across North America began to introduce 'cold-formed.' All of the steel used in VanderWal Group's framing is between 0.0359” and 0.1046” (20ga and 12ga) which falls in the structural range.

What kind of applications can cold-formed steel be used in?
The possibilities are almost limitless. As well as conventional cold-formed steel roof truss, floor and wall packages, VanderWal Group has engineered and fabricated some extremely intricate structural designs for hotels, long-term care homes, casinos, mausoleums, water treatment plants, municipal buildings, custom homes and retail outlets. Applications such as pipe supports, mezzanines, floor additions and architectural features have been readily accommodated.

How do you combat thermal bridging?
Although steel (both cold-formed and otherwise) is a well-known conductor, thermal bridging (or cold/heat transfer) is virtually eliminated by the use of furring channel perpendicular to cold-formed steel framing when applying finish materials. The furring channel reduces the contact area between structural cold-formed steel members and the finishes to a miniscule amount.

How many storeys can be built out of cold-formed steel?
As the material is 100% non-combustible, most building codes allow full load-bearing cold-formed steel construction up to six storeys, but may well increase with the perpetual developments in cold-formed steel manufacturing techniques.

Do you weld the cold-formed steel? How is it connected?
No, the material is not welded. VanderWal Group exclusively uses self-drilling screws to connect its cold-formed steel members.

Do you take into account seismic loads?
VanderWal Group has comprehensive engineering services that will take into account any specified loads, including seismic considerations. Cold-formed steel is used extensively in geographical zones exposed to earthquakes or seismic activity as it has considerably less mass than alternative framing methods such as masonry or wood, resulting in a positive effect on a structure's seismic resistance.

What's your process for quoting projects?
VanderWal Group can offer budget cold-formed steel estimates from even the most basic of dimensions but a full, firm quotation will require professional drawings. After the initial approved design phase and acceptance of the quote, engineered shop drawings are completed and approved before commencing fabrication of cold-formed steel components. Drawings can be sent electronically to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or contact VanderWal Group to make alternate arrangements.