Print this page Metal Lumber: A History
J.M. Syken
Course Outline
In this course, we will examine the development, manufacture, members, systems, applications, benefits etc. of “Metal Lumber.” This will include a review of the development of the house form from pre-historic times through to the mid-20th Century. The early adaptations of wrought iron in house/building frames and the problems/shortcomings of traditional “stick-built” wood frame structures will be highlighted.
The development of Berloy pressed and/or cold-rolled light gauge steel members serving as joists, studs (bearing and non-load bearing) and rafters and their associated systems will be highlighted as well as accessory materials and associated systems (i.e. suspended ceilings). The development of the Stran-Steel system and its application to residential housing will also be discussed in-depth and detail. This will include a review of the “Good Housekeeping-Stran-Steel House” on display at the Chicago World’s Fair of 1933/34.
This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.
Learning Objective
At the conclusion of this course, the student will:
- Understand/appreciate the development of the house from pre-historic to modern times;
- Understand/appreciate the problems associated with wood-frame construction;
- Understand/appreciate the early uses of iron in house framing;
- Understand/appreciate the introduction of “Metal Lumber” framing systems as a piece-for-piece substitute/alternative to wood-frame construction;
- Understand/appreciate the many benefits of steel framing in various building types/applications;
- Understand/appreciate the design/construction specifics for Berloy Metal Lumber floor, wall (load bearing & non-load bearing), roof and suspended ceiling systems;
- Understand/appreciate the application of Metal Lumber to residential house framing and its many benefits vs. wood framing;
- Understand/appreciate the use of panelized/pre-assembled systems;
- Understand/appreciate manufacturing methods (i.e. cold-rolled, pressed);
- Understand/appreciate the “Homes of Tomorrow” exhibit at the 1933/34 Chicago World’s Fair;
- Understand/appreciate the “Good Housekeeping-Stran-Steel House/s” on display at the fair and its influences on light steel framing as applied to residential housing and knock-down housing (i.e. Quonset Huts); and
- Understand/appreciate the lasting legacy of Metal Lumber to the design/construction industry.
Intended Audience
This course is intended for architects, engineers and other design professionals.
Benefit to Attendees
The attendee/s will gain an intimate knowledge and insight into the development of Light Gauge Metal Framing (LGMF)
Course Introduction
The course includes an in-depth PowerPoint presentation and the viewing of a documentary film.
Course Content
In this course, you are required to view/study the following slideshow and the materials contained in the web pages:
Metal Lumber: A History (printable handout in PDF, 3 MB, see Note A below for downloading instruction)
Metal Lumber: A History (non-printable slideshow for screen-viewing only, 13 MB, see Note A below for downloading instruction)
Archival/Documentary Film:
TITLE: A Report to Home Builders
LINK: https://archive.org/details/ReportToHome
DURATION: 20:56
Note A: Please click on the above underlined hypertext to view, download or print the document for your study. Because of the large file size, we recommend that you first save the file to your computer by right-clicking the mouse and choosing "Save Target As ...", and then open the file in Adobe Acrobat Reader from your computer.
Course Summary
If you passed one on the street, chances are you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between a steel-frame house and a traditional wood-frame house. After all, whether wood or steel, both were “stick-built” using the traditional nomenclature for framing members: joist, stud, rafter etc. However, the owner would be able to tell the difference by their lower maintenance costs and satisfaction with a house that was made from a strong, durable, inedible, incombustible, lightweight material that will not warp, shrink or be eaten the way a wood frame house could/would. These benefits were recognized early in the 20th Century when light steel framing made its debut. By the 1920s, the systems for floors, walls, roofs and suspended ceilings were well developed and proven trustworthy in a variety of building types. Not meant to replace traditional “hot-rolled’ steel, Metal Lumber found its place as a structural material mainly in house framing as an alternative to wood. For commercial buildings, the incombustible nature of the material would make it a cornerstone of the “fireproof” building type. Today, it’s known as “Light Gauge Metal Framing,” but to help sell it to a skeptical public, it was first marketed as “Metal Lumber” since that’s exactly what it was meant to be.
Related Links
For additional technical information related to this subject, please visit the following websites:
https://archive.org/details/FireWaterAndLoadTestsOnBergersMetalLumberSystemOfPressedSteel
Quiz
Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.
DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.
