# Light-gauge metal framing

**URL:** <https://forum.4specs.com/t/light-gauge-metal-framing/3044>\
**Category:** Archive - Product Discussions #6\
**Created:** [March 9, 2016, 1:41pm UTC](https://forum.4specs.com/t/light-gauge-metal-framing/3044 "2016-03-09T13:41:28Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Paul\_Sweet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@Paul\_Sweet](https://forum.4specs.com/u/Paul_Sweet)\
**Post date:** [March 9, 2016, 1:41pm UTC](https://forum.4specs.com/t/light-gauge-metal-framing/3044/1 "2016-03-09T13:41:28Z")

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I was just told that Gypsum Association GA-216 now requires impact-resistant gypsum board to have 33 mil (20 ga. for dinosaurs like me) structural (not drywall) studs, which would be a substantial cost increase. What is the difference between structural studs and drywall studs? I always thought it was just the thickness and where they were used.

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**Author:** ![guest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@guest](https://forum.4specs.com/u/guest)\
**Post date:** [March 9, 2016, 4:54pm UTC](https://forum.4specs.com/t/light-gauge-metal-framing/3044/2 "2016-03-09T16:54:29Z")

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Looking through GA-216-13 (available to view for free here from the Gypsum Association: [https://www.gypsum.org/publications/view-only/application-finishing-gypsum-panel-products-ga-216-13/](https://www.gypsum.org/publications/view-only/application-finishing-gypsum-panel-products-ga-216-13/)), I didn’t see anything that would indicate impact-resistant board be applied to any particular thickness of stud.

They do note however that steel framing members from 0.033 inch to 0.112 inch shall comply with ASTM C 955 which is for load bearing studs. But that would apply anyway, regardless of what type of board is being fastened to it.

Is there a more recent update than from 2013?

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**Author:** ![David\_Axt](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex047/user_avatar/forum.4specs.com/david_axt/32/24_2.png) [@David\_Axt](https://forum.4specs.com/u/David_Axt)\
**Post date:** [March 9, 2016, 7:39pm UTC](https://forum.4specs.com/t/light-gauge-metal-framing/3044/3 "2016-03-09T19:39:33Z")

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Guest,

Yes there is a new GA-216-2016 publication.  
[https://www.gypsum.org/2016/01/gypsum-association-releases-revised-application-standard-ga-216-2016/](https://www.gypsum.org/2016/01/gypsum-association-releases-revised-application-standard-ga-216-2016/)

I have not seen this publication.

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**Author:** ![bunzick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a587f6/32.png) [@bunzick](https://forum.4specs.com/u/bunzick)\
**Post date:** [March 9, 2016, 9:04pm UTC](https://forum.4specs.com/t/light-gauge-metal-framing/3044/4 "2016-03-09T21:04:29Z")

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This may be to do with screw holding capabilities. This has been a requirement (or at least a recommendation) for cement board substrates for some time. It does cost more of course, but depending on the situation maybe not. For example, with some projects I did the stud heights were such that we already were at a higher metal thickness to reach deflection limits.