Building Materials for a Trophy Room

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07 October 2005, 17:57

Dthfrmbv

Building Materials for a Trophy Room

I'm designing my basement's floor plan for a game room and I'm just about ready to purchase the materials and was wondering if anyone has used the metal studs for a game room. The gentleman at Home Depot was showing me their advantages over a standard wooden (2x4) stud, but I'm reluctant in their ability to hold up larger game heads due to their hollow design. Does anyone have any experience with these metal studs in their game rooms? Positive or negative? Thanks...Craig

08 October 2005, 02:44

dgr416

I am building my whole house out of metal studs 16ga 6" studs.I think it would take 20 ga studs to hold elk and moose but the 25 ga will hold deer.You could always add a little wood backing between the studs for hanging heads if you wanted to.

08 October 2005, 04:27

Ahmed Niazi

I would stick with wood, some of the mounts are heavy. I have my trophy room in basement as well,It works well.

Ahmed

08 October 2005, 07:40

robncolorado

Steel studs work fine, but only if you screw wood blocks where you want to anchor your mounts. You can sheath the entire wall with 1/2 plywood so no matter where you decide to screw into the wall, you'll hit something.

I use steel studs all the time for exactly what you are doing.

08 October 2005, 18:38

chain

I concur with robncolorado, Sheet room with plywood, or at least partially to hang heads. The only advantage that steel provides other than fire is they are uniformly straight. Heavier guage studs are a bitch to work with for the average homeowner. I'd stick with wood. Wood is wonderful you can, sand it, paint it, caulk it, plane it, route it, chisel it,... I think you get the idea

10 October 2005, 23:17

JohnTheGreek

Wood for sure!

11 October 2005, 01:07

Frans Diepstraten

I'd go with wood, if only to avoid the annoying sounds and feeling when you hit metal with your dril. Wooden studs, plywood all around, or maybe only the top half, so you can drill anywhere. I'd probably put in some extra studs for more support.
That's at least what I will do this winter, when I do the basement.

Frans

11 October 2005, 04:09

Widowmaker416

Use 3/4 inch plywood, 1/2 isn't enough. t won't be cheap but your mounts won't be eather!

You can then sheetrock over the plywood, hang'em where ever you like then..

yankees

11 October 2005, 05:21

robncolorado

I actually agree with Widowmaker.... as 3/4" would be better....1/2 will work....but 3/4 is better..... just wait if you can..... the price is pretty high right now

15 October 2005, 07:41

RLWC

quote:
Originally posted by Dthfrmbv:
I'm designing my basement's floor plan for a game room and I'm just about ready to purchase the materials and was wondering if anyone has used the metal studs for a game room. The gentleman at Home Depot was showing me their advantages over a standard wooden (2x4) stud, but I'm reluctant in their ability to hold up larger game heads due to their hollow design. Does anyone have any experience with these metal studs in their game rooms? Positive or negative? Thanks...Craig

Using the steel studs is fine if you put a layer of the 3/4" plywood on first. The advantage of the steel is no moisture will be absorbed, you can go over the plywood with what ever material you choose. I am a general contractor in California and we use this process all of the time. Good Luck.

Regards,

RLWC

16 October 2005, 09:42

sierrabravo45

I would use standard studs, and then put tongue and groove 1" X 8" panelling up. I grew up in log homes, full log and panelled (with full log accents), and I can't stand to see sheet rock behind animals. It just doesn't do them justice. Plus tongue and groove is easier to work with than sheet rock. (I hate sheet rock) Or at least add log or wood accents.

17 October 2005, 07:02

Dthfrmbv

I decided to use the wooden studs, but I am going to use more of them instead of plywood. Maybe 10" on center or 8" on center. This will give me many more options for hanging heads and it will be cheaper than plywood. I started putting the layout on paper. Thanks for the advice. I'll be accenting the sheet rock with tongue and grove oak planks from the chair guard down.

30 November 2005, 18:04

reverenddan

I would really think about your plan. The extra studs would be, IMHO, an unnecessary expense. How close can you hang the typical mount? If it is centered on 16" that gives you only about 14" for a plaque etc. if you hang one mount on every stud.

I think the backing idea is a great one. Center your studs on 16" and put 3/4" ply backers between the studs in the areas you will want to hang your mounts and then you can concentrate in certain areas where you want more mounts to go.