Metal studs will not serve as a food source for mold. Unfortunately, they also have no ability to store moisture.
A recent seminar I attended showed that (in very round figures) a 1900 era home could store about 500 gallons of water within its building envelope before reaching a point at which mold growth would begin.
A 1960 era home with wood studs can store about 50 gallons.
A modern, tight, steel-frame home can store about 5 gallons before reaching the same point.
Given the inevitability of leaks at some point, which home do you think is more likely to develop a mold problem?
Seriously, folks, if you're buying or building a home you need to learn about moisture dynamics and building science.
A modern, tight, steel-frame home can store about 5 gallons before reaching the same point.
Given the inevitability of leaks at some point, which home do you think is more likely to develop a mold problem?
It doesn't seem to make any difference as far as I can see; what counts is the excess moisture.
The less moisture a substance can absorb, the faster it will dry; what counts is finding infiltrated moisture and abating it before the insidious mold occurs (grows).
First you say that a 1900 era home holds the most moisture. Then you say a metal home holds 5% moisture. You say it is unfortunate that metal does not hold moisture. I thought the crux of the conversation was the reason there is mold is because of moisture??%&$#!
SR
If you have a radius, say 24", that must be boarded, how do you do it? Soak several layers of 1/4" for a few days in water then slap it up? How do you get rid of the moisture before mold growth occurs?
SR