Residential Steel Framing for Los Angeles Homes & Wildfire Rebuilds
Rebuild with a custom-engineered steel structure.
Build the custom home you want with less combustible material in its load-bearing walls, floors and roof.
Wheeler Residential Steel Supply works with homeowners, architects, structural engineers and builders to provide project-specific cold-formed steel framing packages for residential rebuilds and custom homes in Los Angeles and Orange County.
- Your architect designs the home.
- Your builder brings it to life.
- Wheeler provides the engineered steel framing system behind it.
For this home, steel replaces structural wood throughout the load-bearing walls, floors and roof as part of a Type II noncombustible construction approach.
Final construction classification and any required fire-resistance-rated assemblies are determined by the project’s licensed design professionals.
A DIFFERENT WAY TO BUILD OR REBUILD
LESS STRUCTURAL WOOD. A MORE RESILIENT APPROACH.
Not every home described as steel-framed is built without structural wood.
Some homes use steel wall studs while still relying on plywood structural sheathing, wood floor systems, wood subfloors or wood roof framing.
Our approach takes a more comprehensive approach. It is designed to replace structural wood throughout the home’s load-bearing walls, floors and roof with a coordinated cold-formed steel framing system.
For homeowners rebuilding after a wildfire, or planning a custom home in a fire-prone community, that means beginning with a noncombustible structural approach rather than conventional wood framing.
For architects, structural engineers and builders, it means a project-specific system developed around the approved architectural and structural design.
Final materials and assemblies are engineered and approved for each individual project.
DESIGNED FOR GREATER FIRE RESILIENCE
STEEL AT THE CORE OF THE HOME
A more fire-resilient home begins with thoughtful decisions about the entire building.
Wheeler’s steel framing addresses one of the most fundamental decisions: what the home’s load-bearing structure is made from.
By replacing structural wood with cold-formed steel in the walls, floors and roof, Wheeler’s steel framing reduces the amount of combustible material within the structure and can support a Type II noncombustible construction approach.
Steel framing alone does not make a home fireproof. It is one important part of a broader fire-resilience strategy that may also include a Class A roof, noncombustible exterior materials, ember-resistant vents, protected windows and doors, defensible space and careful construction detailing.
Final construction classification and required rated assemblies are determined by the project’s architect and structural engineer.
YOUR CUSTOM HOME, ENGINEERED IN STEEL
NO STANDARD PLANS. NO FACTORY-BUILT BOX.
Choosing steel does not mean giving up the architecture, layout or character of the home you want.
Wheeler’s steel framing is not modular construction, a factory-built house, a preassembled panel system or a catalog of standard plans.
Your architect designs the home around your property, lifestyle and vision.
Wheeler then works with the architect, structural engineer, general contractor and framing team to translate the approved design into a project-specific cold-formed steel framing package.
The framing system is developed for the home, not the home redesigned to fit a standardized system.
WHAT WHEELER PROVIDES
A PROJECT-SPECIFIC COLD-FORMED STEEL FRAMING PACKAGE
Depending on the agreed project scope, Wheeler may provide:
- Project-specific cold-formed steel engineering
- Load-bearing steel framing design
- Framing plans and shop drawings
- Wall, floor and roof framing components
- Precut cold-formed steel components
- A project-specific system designed to support efficient field installation
- Organized delivery to the jobsite
- Coordination and framing support for the builder and project team
Wheeler works alongside the project team to help turn the approved architectural and structural plans into a practical steel framing package that can be installed at the jobsite.
The final engineering scope, deliverables, structural assemblies and project responsibilities are defined for each home.
DESIGNED FOR THE PROJECT TEAM
CLEARER COORDINATION FROM DESIGN THROUGH FRAMING
Residential cold-formed steel framing requires coordination among the architect, structural engineer, builder, framing crew and steel provider.
Wheeler works within that team.
For the architect, Wheeler helps translate a custom residential design into a practical steel framing system.
For the structural engineer, Wheeler provides project-specific framing information and components developed around the approved engineering requirements.
For the general contractor, Wheeler provides a defined framing package, organized delivery and support within the agreed scope.
For the framing crew, Wheeler provides precut, individually identified components intended for installation at the jobsite.
For the homeowner, Wheeler helps bring these parts together around one objective: building the custom home they envisioned with a noncombustible steel structure.
BUILT FOR THE JOBSITE
A PRACTICAL SYSTEM FOR THE BUILDER’S CREW
Wheeler’s steel framing is designed to fit into the way custom homes are actually built.
The project-specific steel components are delivered to the jobsite for installation by the project’s framing crew or other qualified installer selected by the builder.
The system is not a modular unit, factory-built home or preassembled panel package.
Wheeler works with the architect, structural engineer, general contractor and framing team throughout the agreed framing scope to help coordinate the plans, components and field installation.
WHY HOMEOWNERS ARE CHOOSING STEEL
A STRONGER START FOR A MORE RESILIENT HOME
A project-specific residential steel framing system can provide:
- A noncombustible load-bearing structure
- Less combustible material within the walls, floors and roof
- Reduced dependence on structural wood
- A pathway to Type II construction when incorporated into the complete approved design
- Fire-resistance-rated assemblies where required and specified
- No termites in the steel framing
- No structural dry rot in the steel components
- Greater dimensional stability
- Less shrinking, twisting and warping than conventional wood framing
- Engineering tailored to the home and property
- Flexibility for custom architectural design
The benefit is not simply a change in framing material.
It is the opportunity to rethink the structure of the home from the beginning and make steel part of a broader strategy for resilience, durability and long-term performance.
The performance of the completed home depends on the entire design, approved assemblies, construction quality, surrounding property and ongoing maintenance.
A MORE COMPLETE APPROACH TO FIRE-RESILIENT REBUILDING
THE STEEL STRUCTURE IS ONE IMPORTANT PART
Wildfire resilience does not come from one product or material.
It depends on how the structure, roof, exterior walls, windows, doors, vents, eaves, decks and surrounding property work together.
Wheeler’s steel framing addresses a fundamental part of that strategy by replacing combustible structural wood with a cold-formed steel load-bearing system.
A broader fire-resilience strategy may also include:
- A Class A roof
- Noncombustible or ignition-resistant exterior materials
- Ember- and flame-resistant vents
- Protected windows and exterior doors
- Enclosed or protected eaves
- Carefully designed decks and exterior attachments
- A noncombustible area immediately surrounding the home
- Defensible space and vegetation management
- Careful construction detailing
- Ongoing inspection and maintenance
Wheeler works within the project team to provide the steel framing foundation for that broader strategy.
BUILDING WITH INSURANCE IN MIND
CLEARER DOCUMENTATION FOR INSURANCE DISCUSSIONS
Homeowners rebuilding in wildfire-prone communities are increasingly considering insurability during the design process, not after the home is completed.
A documented noncombustible structural system, confirmed construction classification, approved fire-resistance-rated assemblies and other verified mitigation measures may give insurance brokers and carriers clearer information about how the home was designed and built.
Steel framing does not guarantee that a home will qualify for insurance or receive a lower premium. Insurance companies evaluate the complete home, property, location and surrounding wildfire exposure.
Homeowners should discuss their proposed design, construction classification and planned mitigation measures with a qualified insurance broker or carrier as early as possible.
Wheeler does not provide insurance advice or guarantee any insurance outcome.
FOLLOW THIS RESIDENTIAL STEEL REBUILD
SEE HOW A CUSTOM STEEL-FRAMED HOME COMES TOGETHER
Follow this Los Angeles residential rebuild from foundation preparation through steel delivery, wall framing, floor framing, roof framing and enclosure.
We will continue adding photographs and project updates so homeowners, architects, structural engineers and builders can see how a custom residential cold-formed steel framing system moves from design to jobsite installation.
getwheelersteel.com/rebuild
PROJECT GALLERY
ABOUT WHEELER RESIDENTIAL STEEL SUPPLY
MORE THAN 30 YEARS OF COLD-FORMED STEEL EXPERIENCE
Don Wheeler has spent more than three decades working in cold-formed steel construction throughout California. Having worked as both a steel specialist and a general contractor, he approaches steel framing as part of the entire building process, not in isolation. He understands how architectural intent, engineering, foundations, framing, and field conditions need to work together to create a more resilient home.
Today, Wheeler Residential Steel Supply, led by Don Wheeler, brings that hands-on experience to residential rebuilds and custom homes in Los Angeles and Orange County.
Wheeler works alongside homeowners, architects, structural engineers, general contractors and framing crews to turn custom residential designs into practical, project-specific steel framing systems.
RESIDENTIAL COLD-FORMED STEEL FRAMING
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Answers to common questions about cold-formed steel framing, Type II construction, fire resilience and how Wheeler works with your project team are on the residential cold-formed steel framing page.
START A CONVERSATION
THINKING ABOUT BUILDING OR REBUILDING WITH STEEL?
Tell us a little about the home you are planning, your property, architectural plans, project team and anticipated timing.
We will learn where you are in the process, answer your initial questions and let you know honestly whether our steel framing system may be a good fit.
There is no charge or obligation for the initial conversation.
If the project appears to be a fit, the next steps are a scope review and a project-specific budget estimate.
Call: (888)495-5677
Email: info@getwheelersteel.com
Currently focused on Southern California. Have a project elsewhere? Contact us to discuss.