| Metsec wall systems are cold-formed light gauge steel framing products manufactured by Metsec (a voestalpine company) in Oldbury, West Midlands. The product range covers SFS infill walling, internal partitions, structural framing, modular and panellised systems. Metsec dominates UK SFS specification because of its design library, BIM support, and main-contractor familiarity. Most UK tenders specify ‘Metsec or equivalent approved’ to allow substitution. Alternatives include Hadley Group, FrameFast and EOS Framing. UK 2026 cost range for Metsec wall systems supplied and installed: £85-£550/m² depending on wall type and cladding finish. |
What Metsec wall systems are
Metsec wall systems are cold-formed light gauge steel framing products manufactured by Metsec (a voestalpine company) at their facility in Oldbury, West Midlands. The Metsec brand has become near-synonymous with UK SFS specification — when a UK construction specification calls for SFS infill walling, it usually specifies ‘Metsec or equivalent approved’ rather than naming any other supplier.
Metsec doesn’t just supply studs and tracks. The Metsec offering covers a complete product ecosystem for cold-formed steel construction: structural sections, bespoke profiles, BIM content libraries, structural calculation support, fire test certification data, and detailed installation guides. The combination of product range and technical support is what makes Metsec the UK default.
This guide explains what Metsec wall systems cover, where they’re used, how they compare to alternatives, and how to specify them correctly for UK projects.
Metsec wall product range
Metsec’s UK wall product range covers four main categories:
1. SFS infill walling
Non-loadbearing external infill walls built between primary structural floors. Standard Metsec infill stud depths: 70mm, 92mm, 100mm and 150mm. Gauges from 1.2mm to 2.5mm. Used on virtually every UK mid-rise commercial project that uses SFS infill. For deeper coverage see our SFS infill walling pillar guide.
2. Metsec dry lining and partition systems
Internal partition walls using Metsec C-studs and U-tracks, typically with fire-rated plasterboard finishes. Standard partition stud depths: 50mm, 70mm and 92mm at gauges typically 0.55-1.2mm. Covers single-stud, twin-stud and staggered-stud configurations for fire and acoustic performance.
3. Metsec Posi-Joist (floor and roof framing)
Open-web steel/timber composite joists for floor and roof framing. Particularly common in low-rise residential and light commercial. The web design provides for easy services routing through the depth of the joist.
4. Metsec bespoke and structural sections
Custom cold-formed steel sections for specific structural applications — purlins, side rails, structural studs for low-rise primary framing, bespoke geometric profiles. Metsec’s manufacturing capacity allows for relatively quick turnaround on bespoke sections compared to other UK suppliers.
Where Metsec walls are used
Metsec wall systems dominate UK mid-rise construction. Typical applications:
- Build-to-Rent (BTR) apartments: Metsec SFS infill is the default external wall on UK BTR schemes since around 2018
- Student accommodation (PBSA): dominant external wall method since 2015
- Hotels: mid-rise hotels in the UK predominantly use Metsec SFS for external infill, often combined with modular bathroom pods
- Commercial offices: mid-rise commercial offices use Metsec SFS where SFS is the chosen wall system
- Healthcare: NHS new-build and refurbishment projects use Metsec SFS for fire-rated and acoustic partition walls
- Education: schools and university buildings use Metsec SFS for both external and internal walls
Why Metsec dominates UK specification
Five factors drove Metsec to its dominant position in UK SFS specification:
- Largest UK production capacity — Metsec’s Oldbury facility is the largest UK SFS production plant. Reliable supply chain reduces project risk
- Most comprehensive published technical data — deflection tables, fire test certificates, U-value calculation guides, acoustic test data, all freely available
- Best BIM content library — every Metsec section has a Revit family available. Architects can specify Metsec without writing detailed performance specifications
- Universal main contractor familiarity — every UK Tier 1 main contractor has procured Metsec multiple times. Specifying Metsec doesn’t trigger pricing or programme uncertainty
- Strong structural engineering support — Metsec’s technical team supports structural engineers with calculations on non-standard project conditions. Particularly valuable for fire engineering and Building Safety Act compliance
Metsec wall costs in the UK (2026)
Typical UK 2026 cost ranges for Metsec wall systems, supplied and installed by a specialist subcontractor:
- Metsec internal partition (single-stud, 60-min fire): £35-£55/m²
- Metsec internal partition (twin-stud acoustic separating): £70-£110/m²
- Metsec SFS infill frame only (no outer cladding): £85-£120/m²
- Metsec SFS infill with sheathing, breather, VCL: £130-£180/m²
- Complete Metsec wall with brick outer leaf: £250-£380/m²
- Complete Metsec wall with rainscreen cladding: £230-£550/m² depending on outer material
These ranges apply to Tier 1 main contractor procurement on UK mid-rise projects in 2026. Smaller projects (under 1,500m²) typically tender at the upper end; large repetitive schemes tender at the lower end.
Metsec alternatives — when to specify ‘or equivalent’
Most UK tenders specify ‘Metsec or equivalent approved’ rather than ‘Metsec only’, because the alternatives are often better fits for specific project requirements:
- Hadley Group: consider when the project needs bespoke cold-rolled sections (non-standard depths, unusual fire engineering), panellised SFS wall systems, or cost pressure makes the Metsec premium hard to justify
- FrameFast: consider when SFS lead time is the binding programme constraint and FrameFast can deliver weeks earlier than Metsec for the same specification
- EOS Framing: consider for Higher-Risk Buildings where fire engineering is the dominant procurement concern — EOS’s fire-tested systems offer compliance shortcuts
Substitution requires structural engineer sign-off because section properties differ between manufacturers, but is routinely accepted on UK projects. For the full supplier comparison see our Metsec SFS vs alternatives guide.
Lead times for Metsec walls in 2026
Metsec lead times in the UK in 2026 are generally stable:
- Standard Metsec sections (most common gauges and depths): 2-3 weeks from order to site delivery
- Bespoke Metsec sections (non-standard depths or gauges): 4-6 weeks
- Fire-engineered Metsec sections (specific test certification): 5-7 weeks
- Panellised Metsec walls (fabricated by SFS subcontractors using Metsec components): 4-8 weeks depending on panel complexity
Always confirm lead time at tender stage and build it into the procurement programme. Metsec material delivery is often on the critical path for Gateway 2 schemes.
Specifying Metsec wall systems correctly
A complete Metsec wall specification line should cover the system, section, gauge, grade, coating and spacing. Sample specification:
*”External infill wall: Metsec SFS 150mm × 50mm C-stud at 1.5mm gauge, S350GD steel to BS EN 10346, G275 galvanised, at 600mm centres, fixed to matching 150mm U-tracks. Metsec or equivalent approved. Top track with 20mm deflection allowance. Internal face: cement-bonded sheathing board, breather membrane lapped 150mm. Internal face: 150mm stone wool insulation, vapour control layer, 15mm Type F plasterboard.”*
For more specification advice see our steel building studs reference and SFS wall build-up spec reference.
Working with Metsec on UK projects
Most UK SFS subcontractors — including BAS Frames — install large volumes of Metsec walls every year. The supply chain relationship between Metsec and its installer network is mature, with most subcontractors holding accounts directly with Metsec and stocking common sections at their depots.
If you’re specifying Metsec wall systems on a UK project — Build-to-Rent, student accommodation, hotel, commercial — contact the BAS Frames team for a quote. Standard 24-hour response time with indicative pricing, programme estimate and reference projects.
Related guides: SFS cladding complete guide, SFS infill walling pillar, steel building studs reference.
Frequently asked questions
The most common questions UK specifiers ask about Metsec wall systems.
What are Metsec wall systems?
Metsec wall systems are cold-formed light gauge steel framing products manufactured by Metsec (a voestalpine company) in Oldbury, West Midlands. The range covers SFS infill walling, internal partition systems, Posi-Joist floor and roof framing, and bespoke structural sections. Metsec dominates UK SFS specification because of its design library, BIM support and main contractor familiarity.
Where are Metsec walls used in UK construction?
Metsec wall systems dominate UK mid-rise construction. Most common applications: Build-to-Rent apartments (default external wall since 2018), student accommodation, hotels, commercial offices, healthcare facilities, and education buildings. Used on virtually every UK Tier 1 main contractor project that uses SFS.
How much do Metsec walls cost in the UK?
UK 2026 cost ranges for Metsec walls supplied and installed: £35-£55/m² for internal partitions (single-stud, 60-min fire), £70-£110/m² for acoustic separating walls, £85-£120/m² for SFS infill frame only, £250-£380/m² with brick outer leaf, £230-£550/m² with rainscreen depending on outer material.
What are the alternatives to Metsec walls?
Three main UK alternatives: Hadley Group (strong on bespoke sections and panellised systems), FrameFast (competitive lead times for standard sections), and EOS Framing (specialist in fire-engineered systems for Higher-Risk Buildings). Most UK tenders specify ‘Metsec or equivalent approved’ to allow substitution after structural engineer sign-off.
What’s the lead time for Metsec wall systems in 2026?
Metsec lead times in 2026: standard sections 2-3 weeks from order to site delivery, bespoke sections 4-6 weeks, fire-engineered sections 5-7 weeks, panellised wall systems 4-8 weeks depending on panel complexity. Always confirm at tender stage and build into procurement programme — Metsec material delivery is often on the critical path.
