Getting ready to frame a barrel vault, I called my drywall guy to see about framing spacing etc. He said the best barrel vault he had ever done was framed with steel studs, 6″ oc, spanning front wall to back wall. He thinks the span was about 22′, but I find that hard to believe. My span is a little over 13′. Is this easily doable? cost effective? Can I snip a track and make a nice curve for my ledger or should I plan on making that part out of wood?
MERC.
Replies
This is generally a bump.
However, you can Google on "steel studs" and perhaps "span tables" to find the Steel Stud Institute or something like that.
But 13' and 6" on center should give plenty of strength. Steel studs come in a variety of guages and web depths. There should be some combination which is cheap, available and strong enough. Don't forget that a curved arch should be self supporting.
~Peter
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I have no doubt that steel studs can span it. I just don't see the ledger part.
I've worked up a plan to produce the thing out of LVL which should ensure straightness. Though it's certainly going to be more work, I don't care since I work for free and I have the tools to make the arch out of wood.
I'm going to make some calls tomorrow and see what I can find out from local suppliers.
MERC.
Before flextrack was made we would make our track this way-
snip track at 3,4 or 6" depending on radius, snip three sides.
Cut pieces of plywood at desired radius, and screw thru ply into track, making complete shape desired.
I would be o.k. with spanning 13' with 3-5/8" 25ga. with bracing midspan, unless there was a heavy fixture involved.
Myself, I would use 2-1/2" and brace it in thirds, save $ and space.
Make sure you run your rock so the bend is lenghtwise.
If you really want to save money and space you could do it with black iron and hat channel.
There is a flexible track for your application. You can find it advertised in any recent issue of the magazine. For 13 feet I would go with a 6 inch stud. Have fun with the wet towels bending the drywall!
Have a good day
Cliffy
Ww do alot of ceilings this way. With a 13' span I would put a strongback midspan.
What really works good is a continuous piece of flatstrap screwed to the back of every stud. This keeps the studs stiff and the shape true, especially when rocking.
Add a brace every few studs for support.
6" on center for less than 6' radius, 8" for 12', !2" for bigger. If less than 4' condider 4" o.c.
1/4" rock doubled up. The flexible rock by USG is pretty nice if avialable.