Steel Stud Framing for Homes, Condos, and Commercial Fit-Outs
Toronto Drywall Pro is a licensed, bonded, and insured drywall and framing contractor based in Toronto, building cold-formed steel stud walls, partitions, and bulkheads across the GTA since 2002. We frame for homeowners, general contractors, and builders on commercial projects, custom homes, basement finishing, and condo retrofits, with more than 2,000 projects completed. Steel framing is straighter than wood, immune to moisture and mold, and faster to install in tight downtown logistics.
For residential and light-commercial construction, we spec 20-gauge for load-paths, exterior walls where applicable, and any opening that needs structural metal framing support (door rough openings, large window headers). We use 25-gauge for interior non-load-bearing partitions where Ontario Building Code allows. Track and stud, headers, and blocking are installed to code, ready for inspection before drywall hangs.
Metal Framing Costs in Toronto (2026 Rates)
- Steel stud framing (per linear foot, framed): $4 to $9
- Track, stud, and screws material cost: Roughly $2 to $4 per linear foot
- 20-gauge load-bearing premium over 25-gauge: 30 to 50 percent
- Interior partition framing (per linear foot, residential): $4 to $7
- Commercial demising wall framing: $7 to $12 per linear foot
- Bulkhead framing around HVAC or beams: $25 to $50 per linear foot
- Door rough opening with header: $80 to $150 per opening
- Framing-through-finish single-crew workflow: Quoted as combined scope (typically 15 to 25 percent savings over separate framing and drywall subs)
B2B volume pricing on multi-floor commercial fit-outs and multi-unit residential. Quoted from drawings.
Framing a whole house in Ontario is a different scope: the structural shell (exterior walls, floor joists, roof) is usually wood framing done by a rough framing contractor and priced per square foot of floor area. Our steel framing starts after that shell is up, covering interior partitions, bulkheads, and basement walls, priced per linear foot as listed above.
Where Steel Beats Wood
Basements. Toronto basements are humid year-round, especially in older semi-detached and detached homes in neighbourhoods like Leslieville, the Danforth, and North York. Wood studs in a humid environment can twist, swell, and develop mold within the first few years. Steel doesn’t, which also makes it a good fit for basement apartments and legal secondary suites.
Condos. Downtown Toronto condo retrofits in CityPlace, Liberty Village, and the Yonge and Eglinton towers have tight elevator-booking and loading-dock logistics. Steel studs deliver in flat bundles, weigh less than equivalent wood, and don’t need acclimatization before install.
Custom homes. Steel studs are dead-straight. Wood studs aren’t. For Level 5 finishes on raked-light walls in custom builds and infill homes, the perfectly straight steel wall is what makes the finish work.
Commercial fit-outs. Type X fire-rated demising walls between commercial suites, medical clinics, and retail units require precise framing. Steel meets the spec.
Built to Pass Ontario Building Code Inspection
Ontario Building Code requires fire-rated assemblies in specific situations: garage-to-house walls, party walls between dwelling units, multi-unit demising walls, basement-stair separations, and commercial corridors. Steel framing combined with 5/8” Type X drywall is the standard code-compliant assembly for most of these.
We bring inspection documentation for every fire-rated assembly we frame, including the right ULC-listed assembly references, screw spacing, and panel layout, so the framing is ready for the City of Toronto building inspector (or the Mississauga, Vaughan, or Markham equivalent) before any board goes up.
Partitions, Bulkheads, Demising Walls, and Shaft Walls
- Interior partitions for renovation and addition projects across the GTA
- Bulkhead framing in basements around HVAC ducts and beams
- Door and window rough openings with proper headers and jacks
- Demising walls between commercial suites or multi-unit residential
- Acoustic decoupled walls using resilient channel or staggered-stud configurations
- Shaft walls for elevator/mechanical chases (commercial)
One Crew From Framing to Final Coat
Toronto Drywall Pro runs framing through finish as one continuous project. The same in-house crew that frames the wall hangs the drywall, tapes the seams, and finishes to Level 4 or Level 5. No coordination between two different subs, no missed details at the framing-to-drywall handoff, no schedule slip.
For general contractors and developers, we also do framing-only on volume projects (tenant fit-outs, multi-unit residential) where a separate drywall crew handles the rest.
How We Compare
| Feature | Typical Provider | Toronto Drywall Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Specialization | General carpentry or framing sub, drywall handed to another trade | Drywall and steel framing specialist since 2002 |
| Framing to finish | Separate framer and drywall crews | One in-house crew from track layout to Level 5 finish |
| Gauge selection | One gauge used for every wall | 20-gauge at openings and load paths, 25-gauge for partitions |
| Inspection paperwork | Left to the general contractor | ULC assembly references and framing documentation supplied |
| Coverage | Varies | Licensed, bonded, WSIB-compliant, $2M insured |
| Pricing | Phone ballpark | Published 2026 ranges from $4 per linear foot plus a free on-site estimate |
Steel Framing Projects Across the GTA
Across the Greater Toronto Area, with significant volume in commercial fit-outs at Vaughan Metropolitan Centre, downtown Toronto office buildings, Mississauga Square One area, and Markham Highway 7 tech park. Residential basement and renovation framing runs steadily through Etobicoke, Scarborough, Woodbridge in Vaughan, and Richmond Hill. If you need a steel stud framing crew near you anywhere in the GTA, the on-site estimate and framing plan review are free.
What Is Steel Stud Metal Framing?
Steel stud metal framing (also called light-gauge steel framing, LGSF, or cold-formed steel framing) is the method of constructing interior partition walls and ceiling soffits using cold-formed steel tracks and studs instead of wood. In commercial construction it is the standard method for all interior partitions. In residential construction it is common in basement finishing (where moisture rules out wood), in renovation additions, and in any project where a perfectly straight and plumb wall is required because steel does not warp, shrink, or check the way lumber does. Light-gauge steel from manufacturers like Bailey Metal Products (made in Ontario), ClarkDietrich, and Telling Industries comes in 20 and 25-gauge options, with stud widths from 1-5/8 inch to 6 inches depending on wall height and structural requirements.
What Does Metal Framing Include?
- Bottom track and top track installed level and plumb to floor and ceiling
- 20 or 25-gauge steel studs at 16-inch or 24-inch on centre depending on wall height and load
- Blocking and backing installed for all door frames, cabinet mounts, fixture supports, and TV brackets
- Door rough openings with king stud, jack stud, and header per specified door unit
- Coordination with electrical and plumbing for penetration routing before drywall hang
- Inspection-ready framing for permit projects with framing report where required
How Much Does Steel Stud Metal Framing Cost in Toronto?
As of 2026, metal framing in Toronto runs $4 to $9 per linear foot for standard interior partition walls, depending on wall height and stud gauge. A typical basement framing package (600 sq ft perimeter and partition walls) runs $2,000 to $5,000 for framing only before drywall. Commercial office fit-out framing is quoted per square foot of floor area as part of the full drywall package. Free on-site estimate with framing plan review.
Who Needs Steel Stud Metal Framing?
Commercial tenants and contractors fitting out retail, office, and medical spaces where steel stud is code-required. Homeowners finishing basements where moisture makes wood framing a long-term risk. Builders framing non-load-bearing interior partitions in new construction. Anyone who needs precise, straight framing that won’t warp, shrink, or shift after installation.
