FaQs

Thickness/Gauge

• With the effective thickness being 0.034", do I need a different screw for stud to track or gypsum to stud connections?
  • No, although the UltraSTEEL™ 25 gauge effective thickness is 0.034"; screws penetrate easier and faster while maintaining a greater holding strength.
• Are we representing this as a 20-gauge alternative
  • Although the UltraSTEEL™ product is stronger it has been engineered to match traditional 25 and 20-gauge framing as closely as possible. 
• Can I get 20-gauge UltraSTEEL™?
  • Yes, the standard ClarkWestern drywall stud and track framing products are available with UltraSTEEL™.
    
• Since it is thinner, isn’t it more likely to damage?
  • The double helix work-hardening process actually makes the steel less susceptible to damage.
•  What is the base metal thickness of UltraSTEEL™?
  • The effective thickness per our Underwriters Laboratories test and follow up service is 0.034".  The base metal thickness before the double helix processing that more than doubles the thickness is 0.015.”
• What kind of sound benefit do you get with 20-gauge?
  • Since there is no benchmark test data available for traditional 20-gauge studs, we have not tested the 20 gauge UltraSTEEL™ for sound.
• What is the definition of “effective thickness?”
  • Since it is not possible to measure the base steel thickness of the UltraSTEEL™ processed product, Underwriters Laboratories created the term effective thickness; the measurement across the peaks of the dimples, the thickest point of the steel. With ClarkWestern’s commitment to an independent third party quality control program, Underwriters Laboratory representatives, making regular unannounced visits to our manufacturing facilities, assure that the steel used in our test program is the same steel used in the product on a daily basis.