Lightweight steel framing (LSF) are also known as Cold-formed steel frames.
Thin sheets of galvanized steel can be cold formed into steel studs for use as a structural or non-structural building material for both external and partition walls in both residential, commercial and industrial construction projects .
The dimension of the room is established with horizontal track that is anchored to the floor and ceiling to outline each room. The vertical studs are arranged in the tracks, usually spaced 16 inches (410 mm) apart, and fastened at the top and bottom.
The typical profiles used in residential construction are the C-shape stud and the U-shaped track, and a variety of other profiles. Framing members are generally produced in a thickness of 12 to 25 gauge. Heavy gauges, such as 12 and 14 gauge, are commonly used when axial loads (parallel to the length of the member) are high, such as in load-bearing construction. Medium-heavy gauges, such as 16 and 18 gauge, are commonly used when there are no axial loads but heavy lateral loads (perpendicular to the member) such as exterior wall studs that need to resist hurricane-force wind loads along coasts. Light gauges, such as 25 gauge, are commonly used where there are no axial loads and very light lateral loads such as in interior construction where the members serve as framing for demising walls between rooms. The wall finish is anchored to the two flange sides of the stud, which varies from 1 1⁄4 to 3 inches (32 to 76 mm) thick, and the width of web ranges from 1 5⁄8 to 14 inches (41 to 356 mm). Rectangular sections are removed from the web to provide access for electrical wiring.
Steel mills produce galvanized sheet steel, the base material for the manufacture of cold-formed steel profiles. Sheet steel is then roll-formed into the final profiles used for framing. The sheets are zinc coated (galvanized) to prevent oxidation and corrosion. Steel framing provides excellent design flexibility due to the high strength-to-weight ratio of steel, which allows it to span over a long distances, and also resist wind and earthquake loads.
Steel-framed walls can be designed to offer excellent thermal and acoustic properties – one of the specific considerations when building using cold-formed steel is that thermal bridging can occur across the wall system between the outside environment and interior conditioned space. Thermal bridging can be protected against by installing a layer of externally fixed insulation along the steel framing – typically referred to as a ‘thermal break’.
The spacing between studs is typically 16 inches on center for homes exterior and interior walls depending on designed loading requirements. In office suites the spacing is 24 inches (610 mm) on center for all walls except for elevator and staircasewells.
فولاد به‌قدری انعطاف‌پذیر است که می‌تواند در زلزله یا بادهای سنگین مقاومت نماید. همچنین شکل‌پذیری آن سبب می‌شود که هرگاه سازه LSF در معرض نیروهای بزرگ قرار گیرد با تغییر شکل خود، بدون خرابی به ساکنان برای تخلیه هشدار دهد.
در سال‌های اخیر سازه LSF در فهرست‌بهای ابنیه گنجانده‌شده و با عنوان «تهیه و نصب پانل دیواری از جنس فولاد سرد نورد شده گالوانیزه، متشکل از اعضای استاد و رانر (و بادبند در صورت لزوم) به همراه نعل درگاه، اتصالات و تقویتی‌های مربوط، طبق مشخصات فنی» ذیل فصل کارهای فولادی سبک به‌صورت قیمت واحد هر کیلوگرم قرارگرفته است. همچنین برخی دیگر از مصالح خشک و ویژه 
دقت در اجرای اسکلت فلزی و بتنی در این روش و به‌خصوص دقت در تسطیح دال بتنی و تراز بودن آن بسیار حائز اهمیت است. در برخی از ساختمان‌ها نیز ممکن است به دلیل شرایط خاص راه‌پله و یا نیاز به آسانسور، کل باکس پله تا خرپشته و اتاقک آسانسور با سازه فلزی اجرا شود.
