The Formetal Company is a steel stud and track manufacturer located in Forest Park, Georgia, serving Atlanta and the Southeastern United States. We supply cold-formed light gauge steel framing to builders, owners, contractors, framers, and drywall professionals working in both residential and commercial construction.
We manufacture and supply a full line of metal framing materials, including steel studs and track, structural and drywall framing, angle, cold roll channel, furring channel, and framing accessories. We also specialize in custom stud and track lengths, helping reduce waste and improve jobsite efficiency. For a full list of all products we carry, please visit our products page.
Operating from our Forest Park, GA facility, Formetal offers quick turnaround times and fast delivery throughout Georgia and Nationwide using our own fleet of trucks. Our steel framing products meet or exceed all major cold-formed steel industry standards including ASTM standards, and support LEED-certified construction and the Georgia Peach Points program.
Whether you’re framing a residential build or a large commercial project, The Formetal Company delivers reliable steel framing solutions you can build on.
Contact us today to discuss your upcoming projects, or Request a Quote for specific project pricing.
Cold-formed steel framing refers to structural and non-structural building components — studs, track, joists, and headers — manufactured by rolling or pressing steel sheet at room temperature into specific shapes and profiles. Unlike hot-rolled steel (used for wide-flange beams and columns), CFS members are lightweight, thin-walled, and designed for wall, floor, and roof framing systems in commercial and residential construction.
Steel studs are C-shaped with stiffening lips (returns) on the flanges for added strength and rigidity — they are the vertical members in a wall. Steel track (also called runners or channels) is U-shaped without lips so studs can slide easily into the top and bottom tracks. Track is used horizontally at the floor and ceiling to hold the studs in place.
Non-structural studs (typically 25 to 20 gauge) are used for interior partitions that carry only the weight of the wall finish. Structural studs (18 gauge and heavier) are engineered to carry axial and lateral loads and must be designed by a licensed structural engineer.
Product codes follow a standard format such as 600S125-33.
CFS framing is governed by AISI S100 (North American Specification for Cold-Formed Steel), AISI S220 (for non-structural framing), AISI S240 (for structural framing), and ASTM A1003/A653 for material and galvanizing requirements.
Steel studs are inserted into floor and ceiling track and secured with self-drilling screws (also called “zip screws”) or by crimping with a framing tool. The connection method depends on the application and the load requirements of the assembly.
Bridging (horizontal bracing) is installed mid-span between studs to prevent twisting, buckling, or lateral movement under load. Common types include cold-rolled channel, flat strap, or proprietary bridging clips. It is required for most structural walls and recommended for taller non-structural partitions.
Yes. Steel studs and track can be cut on site using aviation snips, a chop saw with a metal-cutting blade, or a cold saw. Pre-ordering cut-to-length material from your supplier reduces on-site labor and waste.
Most commercial steel studs come with pre-punched knockout openings (typically 1-1/2″ x 4″) aligned at standard heights to accommodate MEP routing. For openings larger than the knockout, a grommet or snap-in bushing should be used to protect wiring from the steel edge.
Yes. Standard wood screws are not appropriate for metal framing. Self-drilling, self-tapping screws rated for the specific gauge of steel being fastened are required. Fastener selection should match the stud gauge — heavier gauge steel requires screws with a higher drill point rating.
The two most common spacings are 16″ o.c. and 24″ o.c. 16″ o.c. is traditional for higher performance walls; 24″ o.c. is often more cost-effective and code-compliant for many non-structural and some structural applications (check load tables and local code). 24″ spacing can reduce material and labor while still meeting deflection and strength requirements.
Deflection track (also called slip track or deep-leg track) has an extended flange that allows the stud to move vertically within the track, accommodating floor deflection or seismic drift without transferring those loads into the partition wall. It is commonly required in seismic design categories C through F and in tall commercial buildings where structural deflection is expected.
Steel stud wall assemblies can achieve fire ratings of 1, 2, 3, or 4 hours depending on the assembly — including stud gauge, spacing, type and layers of gypsum board, and any insulation or cavity fill. UL-listed assemblies provide tested, code-compliant configurations for specific fire rating requirements.
Yes. Cold-formed steel framing is widely used in exterior wall assemblies, including curtain wall backing, stucco framing, and insulated exterior systems. Exterior applications require studs and track with a minimum G60 galvanizing coating (per ASTM A653) to resist corrosion.
Allowable wall height depends on stud width, gauge, spacing, and design load. SFIA publishes prescriptive span tables for non-structural applications. For walls exceeding those limits, a structural engineer must design the assembly. Tall-wall assemblies commonly use wider, heavier-gauge studs at closer spacing to meet deflection criteria.
CFS is one of the most sustainable framing materials available — it is 100% recyclable, made from recycled content, produces very little jobsite waste (especially with custom lengths), and is termite-proof, rot-proof, and non-combustible. It also reduces the need for wood products, helping preserve forests.
Per AISI S220 and ASTM standards, the web of every stud and track must be marked at least every 96″ with the manufacturer’s name or logo, base metal thickness (in mils), and any required evaluation report or certification information. Proper marking is required for code inspections.
Verify the mil (designation) thickness — not just the gauge label — as well as the galvanizing coating weight, flange dimensions, and whether the product meets ASTM A1003 and AISI standards. Buy from a supplier who stocks a full range and can provide mill certifications when required.
Yes. Many suppliers, including The Formetal Company, offer cut-to-length ordering for non-standard wall heights, which reduces on-site cutting labor and material waste.
Contact The Formetal Company with your material takeoff. Our team can provide competitive pricing on full framing packages — studs, track, deflection track, and accessories — with lead times and delivery options tailored to your schedule.
While upfront material costs are often similar, CFS usually delivers lower total project cost through faster installation, reduced labor, less waste, no callbacks for warping or nail pops, and lower insurance premiums. Custom-cut lengths and nationwide delivery further improve value.
Stock items ship in 1–3 days. Custom lengths and larger structural packages typically ship in 5–10 business days (depending on volume and current mill schedules). The Formetal Company works with contractors to prioritize urgent jobsite deliveries.
