Different Types of Wall Studs: Pros and Cons of Each

Wall studs reinforce your walls and hold up heavy objects like your TV. How well a stud performs will depend on its material. On that note, there are three main types of studs: wooden, metal, and engineered studs.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know about the types of wall studs. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of the differences, advantages, and drawbacks of wooden, metal, and engineered wood studs.

But first: If you don’t know much about what a wall stud is and what it does, you should read our beginner’s guide: “What is a Wall Stud?”

3 Main Types of Wall Studs

Wooden Studs

Wooden studs are the oldest type of studs in homes. Common wood stud materials include Douglas fir, cedar, southern yellow pine. Wood studs are the most popular type of stud.

Wooden Stud Features	Description
Durability	Can last for decades with proper care. Prone to rot or insect damage.
Strength	Sufficient for most residential loads.
Resistance	Vulnerable to fire, moisture, pests, and mold.
Availability	Widely available and affordable.
Difficulty	Easy to cut, nail, drill, and work with. Ideal for DIY projects.

First off, wood studs are affordable and widely available.

Wood studs are also easy for DIY enthusiasts and contractors to handle. Wood is easy to saw, nail, drill, shape, repair, and maintain, so it’s no surprise that wood studs are the preferred choice for homeowners and professionals.

Another reason for their popularity: Wooden studs are easier to produce than those made of other materials.

To craft a wooden stud, manufacturers typically begin by choosing from various types of softwood, including various species of fir, cedar, spruce, hemlock, and pine, among others.

Using simple machinery, the selected softwood is cut into standard dimensions of 2×4 or 2×6 inches and then spaced 16 to 24 inches apart.

To fully grasp the nature of wood studs, it’s important to understand their benefits and drawbacks.

Pros and Cons of Wood Studs

Pros

• Wooden studs are readily available, as wood is a material that can be replenished.
• Wood studs generally more affordable than other types of studs.
• Wood studs are easy for contractors and DIY enthusiasts to cut, shape, and nail.
• With proper care, wood studs can last for decades.
• Maintaining a wooden stud is easier than maintaining a stud made of metal or engineered material.

Cons

• Wood is flammable, so wood studs pose a high fire risk.
• Wood studs can shrink, swell, or warp over time.
• Wooden studs are prone to damage by termites and other pests. (See “Signs of Termite Infestation in Your Home.”)
• Wood studs are highly susceptible to mold and mildew.
• Wood studs can allow heat to escape.

Engineered Wood Studs

Engineered wood studs are quite similar to wooden studs, yet so different. Unlike wooden studs made from naturally grown trees, these wall studs, as the name suggests, are made from engineered wood. Engineered wood studs are made of a mix of wood pieces, sawdust, chemicals, and adhesive.

Engineered Wood Stud Features	Description
Durability	Susceptible to rotting and chipping off. Difficult to repair.
Strength	Capable of bearing heavy loads.
Resistance	Vulnerable to fire, moisture, and pests.
Availability	Available on demand. Not as available as wooden studs.
Difficulty	Requires specialized tools and knowledge to work with.

Engineered wood is designed by scientists and manufactured for a specific purpose. Engineered wood studs are constructed by combining small pieces of wood with adhesives and then pressing them into specific shapes and sizes. You may see this material marketed as “human-made wood” or under several brand names.

While engineered wood studs may look like real wood on the outside, these human-made woods are something else on the inside.

Engineered wood studs have strict manufacturing standards, so quality is often consistent. These studs are also always straight and flat, which makes them perfect for stability. And since engineered wood studs are produced on demand, a piece can be any size – even surpassing 40 feet in length.

Engineered wood studs are an innovation in residential construction. And like most advancements, they’re not without certain advantages and disadvantages.

Pros and Cons of Engineered Wood Studs

Pros

• Engineered wood studs provide extreme stability.
• They provide consistency in terms of quality.
• Engineered studs can be made in various sizes. Even 40 feet is achievable.
• Engineered wood studs are very strong.

Cons

• Engineered studs are more susceptible to rot than traditional wooden studs.
• They’re more expensive than other types of studs in walls.
• Engineered wood studs can be toxic to humans or animals.
• Engineered wooden studs are difficult to work with. You’ll need more equipment and technical expertise.

Metal Studs

Metal studs are the newest studs on the block. Metal studs are made from steel or aluminum and are rapidly gaining popularity.

Metal Stud Features	Description
Durability	Does not warp, shrink, swell, or rot.
Strength	Can bear significant loads.
Resistance	Resistant to fire, water, and pests.
Availability	Generally less available than wood studs.
Difficulty	Difficult to work with, especially for DIYers.

Metal studs are manufactured to be uniform in quality and size. Standard metal studs are usually 10 to 14 feet long. They come in widths of 1-5/8, 2-1/2, 3-5/8, 4, and 6 inches.

One of the best things about a metal stud is that it’s incredibly strong and resistant to warping, shrinking, or swelling. Metal studs are much less susceptible to damage from water or pests, and to top it off, they’re also impervious to fire.

Metal studs are efficient for residential and commercial construction, as they’re quick and easy to install. They’re also hollow and light, which makes them easy to store. And unlike other types of wall studs, metal studs are suitable for use in the walls of bathrooms and other water-prone areas.

That being said, metal studs have benefits and drawbacks.

Pros and Cons of Metal Studs

Pros

• Termites and other pests cannot damage metal studs.
• Metal studs are impervious to fire damage.
• Resistant to water damage, metal studs can be used in water-prone areas.
• Metal studs are easy to transport, a perk of being light and hollow.
• Metal studs are recyclable, and as such, eco-friendly.
• Metal studs are resistant to warping, shrinking, and swelling.

Cons

• Metal studs have low heat resistance. They can’t keep the hot air inside.
• Metal studs have limited availability.
• Metal studs are more expensive than traditional wooden studs.
• Metal studs are not easy for homeowners to use.
• Mounting wall fixtures with metal studs is difficult.
• Cutting metal studs can be difficult and dangerous.

Comparing the Different Types of Wall Studs

Check out below how we compare the different types of studs by parameters including durability, cost, availability, strength, and more.

Wooden Studs

• Material: Natural wood
  Durability: High
• Strength: High
• Availability: Very high
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Weight: High
• Cost: Moderate

Engineered Wood Studs

• Material: Human-made wood
  Durability: Moderate
• Strength: Very high
• Availability: High
• Difficulty: High
• Weight: Very high
• Cost: Very high

Metal Studs

• Material: Steel or aluminum
  Durability: Very high
• Strength: High
• Availability: High
• Difficulty: Very high
• Weight: Moderate
• Cost: High

Note: Wood studs are generally the easiest type of studs for DIYers to work with. Metal studs are the most durable wall studs. Engineered wood studs can support the most weight.

Worst Wall Stud For Mounting

Metal studs are the worst kind of studs for mounting fixtures on your wall.

Here’s why:

1. Metal studs are hollow. This means that when you drill into a metal stud, you’re drilling into empty space. With this, any screw or anchor you use would be very likely to come off.
2. Metal studs are not as strong as the other wall stud types. Don’t mistake durability for strength. While it’s no contest that metal studs have more longevity, they cannot usually bear as much weight as the other two types of studs.
3. Metal studs are not easy to work with. To prepare metal studs for mounting, you’ll need more expertise. You may also need additional equipment such as special fasteners, plastic bushings, metal snips, a metal chop saw, or a powerful drill with specialized bits for metal.

Best Type of Stud for Mounting

While you can mount your fixtures or decorations on all three types of studs, the best type of stud for mounting remains wooden studs.

Here’s why:

1. Standard wooden studs are capable of supporting a lot of weight.
2. Wooden studs are easy for the average Joe to work with. Basic knowledge, as well as standard screws and bolts, are sufficient for a lot of mounting tasks when you’re working with regular wooden studs.
3. Wooden studs are easily accessible. As a result, they’re affordable to replace or repair, should the need arise.

We didn’t base this decision solely on the ability of a stud to hold weight. If our only metric were strength, then the obvious choice would be engineered studs. However, ease-of-use and other factors put wooden studs in the top spot for mounting fixtures.

Pro Tip: You can’t mount a TV or any other heavy wall fixture without first locating a stud. Our guides will teach you How to Find a Wall Stud using a stud finder, as well as How to Find Studs Without a Stud Finder.

FAQ About the Types of Studs in Home Walls

Are Concrete Studs a Thing?

No, concrete studs are not a thing. Concrete is typically used for foundations and slabs, not as material for wall studs. People often mistake concrete walls for concrete studs. They’re not the same.

Can I Drill into Each Type of Stud?

Yes, you can drill into each type of wall stud. However, the type of drill bit and the technique will vary depending on whether it’s a wooden stud, an engineered wood stud, or a metal stud.

Before drilling into your wall stud, you’ll need to first pinpoint where it is. To accurately locate it, understanding the standard spacing for studs is crucial.

When to Call a Handyman

Home improvement projects are complex and full of potential pitfalls. Knowing your stud type is not going to make much difference. As tempting as DIY might be, you’re likely better off leaving it to the experts.

Home Gnome delivers the best home service experience at the click of a button. Book reliable, skilled handymen and handywomen in seconds and leave the rest to us.

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