Steel Profiles and Connectors for Framed and Dry Construction Systems
A framed structure lives or dies by its profiles. Wrong system and it sounds hollow, flexes underfoot, and in five years it starts to move apart.
The galvanised steel profiles here are for structural systems: light load-bearing walls, roof frames, platforms. Don't confuse them with drywall partition profiles - those are thinner and not for load.
U and C profiles (UD and CD) - European standard for dry construction. U-profiles form the floor and ceiling tracks; C-profiles are the vertical studs. Width 50, 75, 100mm - choose by wall thickness and load.
Corner bead profiles - protect edges at windows, doors and openings. Galvanised steel or aluminium. Models with integrated mesh are embedded in plaster.
Connectors and accessories - joist hangers, splice plates, rafter brackets. Galvanised steel resists alkali from concrete and plaster.
Roof framing rule: steel gauge matters more than you think. 0.5mm for non-load interior partitions, 0.7-1.0mm for loaded structures and roofs. Chisinau can see snow loads of 40-60 kg/m² - don't cut corners on thickness.
Drywall profiles (CW/UW) are 0.4-0.5mm thin steel for non-load interior partitions. Structural profiles are 0.7-1.5mm for load-bearing walls, roof frames and structural uses. The gauge is always marked on the profile or in the manufacturer's spec.
Up to 3m - CW75 or CW100 profiles (75 or 100mm wide) in minimum 0.5mm steel. Above 3.5m or if the wall will carry suspended cupboards - reduce stud spacing to 400mm and check the manufacturer's load table.
Standard galvanising (Z140-275 g/m²) lasts 10-15 years in normal interior conditions. In damp areas - basement, unheated spaces with condensation - the coating wears faster. For aggressive environments use heavier galvanising or aluminium profiles.
No. Facade profiles need heavier galvanising or aluminium/stainless material. Interior profiles on a facade will rust within 2-3 wet seasons. Always check the application rating on the label.
Standard 600mm between stud centres - matches the 1200mm standard drywall sheet width. For extra loads or wall height above 3m reduce to 400mm centres. Knauf standard for residential partitions.
