Why Metsec dominates the specifier conversation
Open a UK mid-rise commercial specification at the SFS section and there’s a very good chance it will say ‘Metsec, or equivalent approved’. Metsec is the default specification language for SFS in the UK, in the way that Gyproc is the default for plasterboard or Kingspan is the default for PIR insulation.
There are good reasons for this dominance. Metsec, owned by voestalpine, operates from Oldbury in the West Midlands with the largest UK manufacturing capacity for cold-formed steel sections. The company has invested heavily in BIM content (every Metsec section has a Revit family available for download), in published technical data (deflection tables, fire test certificates, U-value calculation guides), and in supporting structural engineers with custom calculations on bespoke project conditions.
Main contractors know Metsec. Architects can specify Metsec without having to write detailed performance specifications. Structural engineers can size Metsec sections from the published tables without having to chase a manufacturer for properties. The system works because it’s familiar, and it’s familiar because it works.
That said, ‘Metsec or equivalent approved’ is in the spec for a reason. Several capable UK competitors offer comparable or superior products in specific situations. Knowing when to specify Metsec — and when to specify an alternative — is part of getting the best value for your project.
System comparison: the four main UK SFS suppliers
Four suppliers cover the great majority of UK SFS installation in 2026. Each has a different focus, different commercial strengths, and different sweet spots.
Metsec (voestalpine)
Strengths: Largest UK production capacity. Most comprehensive published technical data. Best BIM content library. Universal main-contractor familiarity. Strong structural engineering support for non-standard conditions.
Weaknesses: Lead times can stretch on bespoke fire-engineered or large sections during peak demand. Standard sections only — limited panellised offering. Pricing typically at the upper end of the UK market.
Best for: Mainstream specifications. Tier-1 main contractor projects where main contractor familiarity matters. Projects with complex structural conditions needing manufacturer engineering support. Schemes where BIM coordination is critical.
Hadley Group
Strengths: Strong on bespoke cold-rolled sections — can produce non-standard profiles to order. Mature panellised SFS offering through their Stratco and Hadley Steel Framing brands. Good geographic UK coverage. Competitive on price for standard sections.
Weaknesses: Slightly less developed published technical library than Metsec. Less universal main contractor familiarity (often needs introduction by the SFS subcontractor).
Best for: Projects needing bespoke or panellised steel framing. Cost-sensitive projects where Metsec premium is hard to justify. Schemes with non-standard structural conditions where a bespoke section saves design effort downstream.
FrameFast
Strengths: Competitive lead times — often 1-2 weeks shorter than Metsec for standard sections during peak demand. Strong relationships with SFS install subcontractors across the UK. Pragmatic technical support.
Weaknesses: Smaller product range than Metsec or Hadley. Less developed BIM content. Smaller production capacity limits suitability for very large projects.
Best for: Programme-critical projects where SFS delivery is on the critical path. Mid-scale schemes (under 3,000m² of SFS) where Metsec or Hadley scale isn’t needed. Subcontractor-led specification rather than architect-led specification.
EOS Framing
Strengths: Strong focus on fire-engineered systems — particularly relevant for Higher-Risk Buildings under the Building Safety Act. Good technical support for complex fire compliance. Active in the modular and offsite-led market.
Weaknesses: Smaller market presence than the three above. Less common in main contractor specifications. Pricing varies more by project than Metsec or Hadley.
Best for: Higher-Risk Buildings where Gateway 2 fire evidence is the dominant procurement concern. Modular and offsite-led projects where EOS works closely with prefab manufacturers.
Spec sheet comparison: what to check
Whichever supplier you specify, the technical specification needs to cover the same six attributes. When evaluating an ‘equivalent approved’ substitution, this is the checklist your structural engineer needs to verify against the original specification.
- Gauge: Sheet thickness, typically 1.2mm, 1.5mm, 2.0mm or 2.5mm. Heavier gauge = stronger but more material cost.
- Section profile: C-stud depth (typically 70mm, 90mm, 100mm or 150mm) and U-track depth. Affects wall thickness, insulation depth available, and structural span capacity.
- Steel grade: Typically S350GD or S450GD to BS EN 10346, with G275 galvanised coating for corrosion protection. Some specifiers require G350 in highly corrosive environments.
- Fire rating compatibility: Section dimensions and gauge must work with the specified plasterboard build-up to achieve the required fire rating (60, 90 or 120 minutes). Some sections are fire-tested with specific board systems and substitution invalidates the test certificate.
- Deflection performance: Maximum allowable load span before deflection exceeds wall serviceability limits. Published as deflection tables for each section.
- BIM availability: Revit family files, IFC models, supplier-provided BIM objects. Not strictly necessary but accelerates design coordination.
Lead time and availability in 2026
Lead times across UK SFS suppliers in 2026 are generally:
- Standard sections (most common gauges and profiles): 2-3 weeks from order to site delivery
- Bespoke sections (non-standard depths or gauges): 4-6 weeks
- Fire-engineered sections (requiring specific test certification): 5-7 weeks
- Panellised wall systems (factory-assembled): 4-8 weeks depending on panel complexity and fabricator capacity
These are typical ranges; actual lead times vary with manufacturer production schedules and steel raw material availability. UK SFS supply has been generally stable through 2025-2026 after the disruption of 2021-2023, but always confirm at tender stage and build the lead time into the procurement programme. SFS material delivery is often on the critical path for Gateway 2 schemes — the structural calculations and fire evidence both depend on knowing which sections are arriving.
Installation considerations
A spec sheet match isn’t always an installation match. The SFS install subcontractor’s experience with a specific supplier matters more than most architects assume.
Each supplier’s sections have slightly different installation tolerances, fixing requirements, deflection-head detailing, and tooling preferences. A subcontractor that has installed thousands of square metres of Metsec will hit the ground running on a Metsec project. The same subcontractor on their first FrameFast project will be slightly slower, with slightly more snags, until their crews get familiar with the new system.
When tendering an SFS package, ask the subcontractor which suppliers they have most experience with. A subcontractor strongly experienced with Hadley but only occasionally with Metsec might deliver better value with Hadley specified — assuming the structural engineer is comfortable with the substitution and the main contractor approves.
When BAS Frames recommends Metsec — and when we don’t
Honestly, the most common system we install is Metsec, for the same reason most UK SFS subcontractors install most Metsec — main contractor familiarity, BIM compatibility, published technical data, and reliable supply chain. On a standard mid-rise commercial project with no unusual requirements, Metsec is hard to argue against.
We recommend Hadley when: the project needs bespoke sections (non-standard depths, unusual fire engineering), panellised wall systems are the right delivery method, or budget pressure makes the Metsec premium hard to justify on a straightforward spec.
We recommend FrameFast when: SFS lead time is the binding constraint on the procurement programme and FrameFast can deliver weeks earlier than Metsec for the same specification, or the project is mid-scale and doesn’t need the Metsec engineering support overhead.
We recommend EOS when: the project is a Higher-Risk Building where fire engineering is the dominant procurement concern and EOS’s specific fire-tested systems offer compliance shortcuts that Metsec doesn’t.
We recommend specifying ‘Metsec or equivalent approved’ rather than ‘Metsec only’ on almost every project, because it preserves flexibility for the SFS subcontractor to optimise the procurement against current lead times and pricing without re-tendering the package.
Discuss your specification with our engineers
Our installation experience across all four major UK SFS suppliers means we can help you specify intelligently — flagging where a substitution would save money or time, and where the original specification is right and shouldn’t change. For specification advice on a current or upcoming project, contact our team. We’re a SMAS SSIP-accredited SFS specialist working across the UK on Build-to-Rent, student accommodation, hotels, hospitals and commercial offices.
Frequently asked questions
The questions UK specifiers and main contractors most commonly ask when choosing between Metsec and alternative SFS suppliers.
Is Metsec the best SFS system?
Metsec is the most widely-specified SFS system in the UK, but ‘best’ depends on project requirements. Metsec dominates for high-rise commercial because of its design library, BIM support and main-contractor familiarity. Alternatives like Hadley, FrameFast and EOS often compete on lead time, price, or specific technical features.
What’s the difference between Metsec and Hadley SFS?
Metsec (voestalpine) is the largest UK SFS supplier with the broadest design library. Hadley Group focuses on bespoke cold-rolled sections and panellised offerings. Both offer comparable structural performance; the choice usually comes down to availability, lead time, contractor familiarity, and whether panellisation is needed.
Can I substitute Metsec for FrameFast on a tender?
Substitution is possible but requires structural engineer sign-off because section properties differ between manufacturers. Most tenders specify ‘Metsec or equivalent approved’ to allow substitution. The substitute system must match or exceed structural, fire, acoustic and thermal performance — submit a comparison sheet for approval.
Which SFS suppliers offer panellised wall systems?
Hadley Group, FrameFast and EOS all offer panellised SFS wall systems delivered to site as pre-assembled panels. Metsec primarily supplies the steel sections; panellisation through Metsec is typically delivered by a fabricator (like BAS Frames) building panels using Metsec components in their own facility.
What’s the lead time for Metsec SFS in 2026?
Metsec standard sections typically have a 2-3 week lead time from order to site delivery in 2026. Bespoke or fire-engineered sections can stretch to 5-6 weeks. Always confirm with your supplier at tender stage and build the lead time into your procurement programme; SFS delivery is often the critical path on Gateway 2 schemes.
