I hope everyone had a good holiday season.

I'm running a soffit around three of the four walls in my theater. I'm going to try and get it as level and straight as possible. Would this be easier to accomplish with metal studs or with 2"x 2" or 2"x 3" wood studs? The room is approximately 12'x18'. It was a royal PITA to get the wooden headers straight and I'd like to avoid that with the soffit. I have never worked with metal studs - do you think that would be an issue?

Let me know what you think and thanks in advance!

Dave

I've now used both Wood and Metal studs for soffits in my basement. The metal avoids the warpage issue, it's much lighter to lift into place and fasten if working by yourself.

But to make it a quick effort you really need to get a metal cutting blade for your miter saw to cut all those short stud pieces. Doing with a hand snip is a pain. You need to be aware that you will not have any wood to anchor trimwork to.

You could also consider a hybrid, Metal top and bottom rails, with wood studs.

OR, I saw this trick once which was the quickest method I'd ever seen. get a length of engineered floor joist that is the right height. Cut it into the right lengths and screw into place.

BIGmouthinDC,

Thanks for the reply. I like the hybrid idea.

Dave

Make sure you don't split the wood or there won't be any hanging strength. I think I'd also put screws in from the flat side of the rails not just the edges.

BIGmouthinDC,

I have no problem drilling pilot holes in the wood... or using more screws.

Thanks!

Dave

I too have used both. I think the metal is easier (lighter, straighter) but at this point more $$.
As for trimming metal I use adhesive and 1.5" trim nails. Nails just keep it attached until the adhesive cures.