Metal Framing Material | Fire Retardant Wood

Our range of metal track and stud products includes:

Structural metal studs and track
Hat or Furring channel
Shaft wall systems – CT studs and J track
Z-Furring
Cold rolled channel
Spazzer bar
Bridge bar
Flex C track
Radius track
360TRAK
Fire track and Blazeframe
Drywall grid
Drywall metal studs and track

Other product lines include jamb studs, drywall grid, metal lath and security mesh. Best Supply also sources specialty lumber products for your project, including:

Fire retardant treated lumber (FRTD) and plywood
Pressure treated plywood
OSB plywood for subfloors, roofing and other applications

In addition, of course, we carry metal stud screws and metal fasteners.

DISTRIBUTOR FOR TOP BRANDS OF METAL FRAMING MATERIAL, STUDS, TRACK AND FIRE-RETARDANT LUMBER

Best Supply works with the industry’s top manufacturers, so you can fine-tune your requirements to get the exact framing systems and products called for in your project. Providers for our metal studs, framing, track and fire-retardant lumber include:

Biewer Lumber: Biewer Lumber’s five sawmills, three pressure-treating plants and full-service logistics fleet manufactures and distributes lumber and building materials.
ClarkDietrich: Provides cold formed steel framing products that perform as a system, backed by intelligent design tools and fully capable engineering services.
Hoover Treated Wood Products: Hoover Treated Wood Products provides a comprehensive portfolio of pressure-impregnated kiln-dried lumber and plywood products for fire retardant and preservative applications.
Marino\WARE®: Marino\WARE® offers a complete line of cold-formed steel framing products. Their metal framing product line includes: ViperStud® drywall framing studs and track, structural stud and track, shaft wall and area separation systems, plastering steel and drywall finishing products, as well as our FrameRite* family of proprietary products.
MBA Metal Framing: MBA manufactures light-gauge steel framing and accessories.
Simpson Strong-Tie: Considered a leader in structural systems research, testing and innovation, Simpson Strong-Tie provides code-listed, field-tested products and value-engineered solutions. Its structural products are recognized for helping structures resist high winds, hurricanes and seismic forces. Products include engineered structural connectors, fasteners, fastening systems, lateral-force resisting systems, anchors and products that repair, protect and strengthen concrete.
The Steel Network: The Steel Network, Inc. (TSN) is a manufacturer of light gauge (cold-formed) steel studs and connectors. They provide solutions for all standard light steel framing applications, including load bearing mid-rise construction systems, curtain wall systems, rigid connectors, vertical deflection connectors, lateral drift connectors and short wall connectors.
Weyerhaeuser: Provides engineered lumber, OSB, plywood and MDF panels that improve performance and safety.

OUR CUSTOMER SERVICE MAKES THE DIFFERENCE

At Best Supply, we’re staffed with specialists in the construction industry who know the struggle to keep a job running on time. Our customers know us as a trusted partner that arrives on time and reduces material handling by dropping your delivery exactly where you need it—whether it’s in the basement or on an upper floor.

We offer same-day delivery on many products, and our well-maintained transport fleet has the vehicles and manpower to show up as promised. And as a family-owned business, our employees are empowered to resolve questions and address customer needs wherever and whenever they arise. We accept a variety of payment options and are set up to work with contractors for projects large and small in commercial, residential, government, mixed-use, health care, education, hotels and corporate environment.

For metal framing, stud systems and accessories, our longtime relationships with manufacturers will help you get the products you need to get the job done right.

LEARN MORE ABOUT METAL FRAMING MATERIAL, STUDS, TRACK AND FIRE-RETARDANT LUMBER FROM BEST SUPPLY

Whatever your project, look to Best Supply to meet your needs for metal framing material, accessories and other construction materials for commercial and residential use. We’re a premier supplier of metal framing, fire-retardant wood, metal lumber or metal studs.

Metal Framing, Studs, Track & Lumber - FAQs

Metal Framing Basics

What’s the difference between a metal stud and metal track? A metal stud is the vertical framing member that forms the body of a wall, while metal track (also called runner) is the horizontal channel fastened to the floor and ceiling that the studs seat into at the top and bottom. The studs carry the wall’s height and the track holds them in alignment and ties the assembly to the structure. The two are sized to work together—studs nest inside matching track. Best Supply carries structural and drywall metal studs and track in a full range of sizes, along with specialty track such as radius track, Flex C track, and fire track.

What’s the difference between structural and non-structural metal framing? Structural (load-bearing) metal framing carries building loads—such as floors, roofs, and exterior walls in mid-rise construction—and is made from heavier-gauge steel, while non-structural framing is used for interior partitions and drywall walls that only carry their own weight and the wallboard attached to them. Structural members use thicker steel (commonly 18ga/43mil and 16ga/54mil), and non-structural members use lighter steel (commonly 20gaEQ/18mil and 25gaEQ/15mil). The right choice is set by the project’s engineering and drawings. Best Supply carries both, including ClarkDietrich, Marino\WARE, MBA, and The Steel Network products.

What do metal stud gauges and mil thicknesses mean? A metal stud’s gauge and mil rating both describe the thickness of the steel: gauge is the traditional scale (a lower gauge number means thicker, stronger steel), while mil is the more precise measurement in thousandths of an inch that the industry now uses. For example, 25ga is about 15 mil and 20ga is about 18 mil for non-structural framing, while 18ga is about 43 mil and 16ga is about 54 mil for structural framing. You’ll also see “EQ,” meaning an equivalent-gauge product engineered to perform like the traditional gauge using optimized steel. Best Supply’s team can help match the gauge and size to your project specification.

What are the more common sizes and gauges used in structural and non-structural framing? Non-structural framing is going to be either 20gaEQ (18mil thickness) or 25gaEQ (15mil thickness), and common web sizes are 1-5/8″, 2-1/2″, 3-5/8″ and 6″. Structural framing comes in a wide variety of gauges and sizes; however, the most common are 18ga (43mil thickness) and 16ga (54mil thickness). The most common flange size is 1-5/8″ (CSJ), and the most common web sizes are 3-5/8″ and 6″.

Specialty & Fire-Rated Framing

What is a shaft wall system, and where is it used? A shaft wall is a fire-rated wall assembly built to enclose vertical shafts—such as elevator hoistways, stairwells, and mechanical or plumbing chases—where the wall can only be built and accessed from one side. It uses specialized framing, most commonly CT studs and J-track, that lets gypsum liner panels slide into place from the occupied side. Because shaft walls are fire-rated, the system has to be installed per its tested design. Best Supply carries shaft wall systems, including CT studs and J-track. Always build fire-rated shaft walls to the tested UL assembly and local code.

What is hat channel or furring channel used for? Hat channel (named for its hat-shaped cross-section) and furring channel are framing members used to create a level mounting surface and a small air gap over masonry, concrete, or uneven walls and ceilings before attaching drywall or paneling. They’re also used to fur out walls for insulation or to support ceiling finishes. Z-furring serves a similar purpose, often paired with rigid insulation on interior masonry walls. Best Supply carries hat/furring channel, Z-furring, cold rolled channel, and related framing accessories.

What framing products are used in fire-rated wall assemblies? Fire-rated wall assemblies rely on framing components designed and tested to maintain the wall’s fire-resistance rating, including fire-rated track (such as Blazeframe and other head-of-wall deflection track), shaft wall systems for vertical chases, area separation framing between units, and fire-retardant treated lumber where wood is part of the assembly. Each of these has to be installed as part of a tested assembly to achieve its rating. Best Supply stocks fire track and Blazeframe, shaft wall systems, and fire-retardant treated lumber and plywood. Always confirm the specific assembly against the tested UL design and your local fire and building codes.

Treated Lumber & Panels

What is fire-retardant treated (FRT) lumber, and when is it required? Fire-retardant treated (FRT) lumber is wood that’s been pressure-impregnated with chemicals that slow the spread of flame and reduce smoke, then kiln-dried, so it meets fire-performance requirements while remaining workable like ordinary lumber. It’s typically required by building code in specific assemblies and construction types—for example, certain interior walls, roof decking, and multi-family or commercial construction—where combustible material must be fire-retardant. Always confirm where FRT lumber is required against your project drawings and local code. Best Supply sources fire-retardant treated lumber and plywood, including Hoover Treated Wood Products.

What’s the difference between fire-retardant treated and pressure-treated lumber? Both are pressure-treated, but they solve different problems: fire-retardant treated (FRT) lumber is impregnated with chemicals that slow flame spread and smoke for fire-performance requirements, while pressure-treated (preservative-treated) lumber is treated to resist rot, decay, fungus, and insects for wet or ground-contact exposure. In short, FRT is about fire and preservative-treated is about moisture and decay—and they’re not interchangeable. Best Supply carries both fire-retardant treated lumber and plywood and pressure-treated plywood, along with OSB.

What is OSB, and what is it used for? OSB (oriented strand board) is an engineered wood panel made by compressing layers of wood strands with adhesive into a strong, uniform sheet, and it’s widely used for subfloors, wall and roof sheathing, and similar applications. It’s valued as a cost-effective, consistent alternative to plywood for many sheathing jobs. Best Supply carries OSB plywood for subfloors, roofing, and other applications, including Weyerhaeuser engineered wood and OSB panels.

Brands, Ordering & Delivery

What brands of metal framing and lumber do you carry? Best Supply is a distributor for the industry’s top framing and lumber manufacturers, including ClarkDietrich, Marino\WARE, MBA Metal Framing, and The Steel Network for cold-formed steel studs, track, and connectors; Simpson Strong-Tie for structural connectors and fastening systems engineered to resist wind and seismic forces; Hoover Treated Wood Products for fire-retardant and preservative-treated lumber; and Biewer Lumber and Weyerhaeuser for lumber, engineered wood, OSB, and panels. Because we work directly with these manufacturers, we can supply the exact framing system specified for your project and custom or special order items as needed.

Can metal studs with a special coating be special ordered? Typically, interior drywall framing members have a G40EQ coating and exterior structural members have a G60 coating. These coatings are the amount of zinc applied to the steel to prevent corrosion. Additional coatings can be applied to framing members at our manufacturers for a small upcharge to meet the requirements of your application.

Can I order metal studs in custom lengths to match odd wall heights? Metal studs are typically stocked in full foot lengths; however, any metal stud can be custom ordered to the exact size needed down to the quarter inch. With precise planning and measurements, this can save substantial money on a job with a lot of odd-sized studs.

What areas do you deliver to, and where can I buy metal framing and studs near me? Best Supply delivers metal framing, studs, track, and lumber from locations across the Midwest, Southeast, and Florida—including Ohio (Cleveland, Columbus, East Columbus, Dayton, Canton), Michigan (Detroit), Indiana (Indianapolis), Kentucky (Louisville, Lexington), Tennessee (Nashville), Georgia (Atlanta), the Carolinas (Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Greenville, Columbia), and Florida (Tampa, Orlando, Sarasota, Fort Myers). We offer same-day delivery on many products and deliver with our own well-maintained transport fleet, dropping materials exactly where they’re needed on the job site—whether that’s the basement or an upper floor.

Do you have any discounted, overstock, or clearance framing or lumber available? Yes—Best Supply keeps a rotating list of inventory specials on building supplies that can include discounted, overstock, and clearance items when they’re available. Because this inventory changes regularly, the best way to see what’s currently offered is to browse our inventory specials on building supplies and contact our team to confirm availability and pricing. For larger framing and lumber orders, our team can also put together a competitive quote.

METAL FRAMING, STUDS, TRACK AND LUMBER

Providing metal lumber, framing systems and specialty treated wood products for commercial and residential framing.

METAL TRACK AND STUD PRODUCTS WE OFFER

Learn more about metal framing, studs, track and lumber from Best Supply.

DISTRIBUTOR FOR TOP BRANDS OF METAL FRAMING MATERIAL, STUDS, TRACK AND FIRE-RETARDANT LUMBER

OUR CUSTOMER SERVICE MAKES THE DIFFERENCE

LEARN MORE ABOUT METAL FRAMING MATERIAL, STUDS, TRACK AND FIRE-RETARDANT LUMBER FROM BEST SUPPLY

Have a specific project in mind?

Metal Framing, Studs, Track & Lumber - FAQs

SUBSCRIBE