When curtain wall framing needs to go taller, span wider, or perform in seismically active zones, the choice of framing member matters. JamStud®, manufactured by The Steel Network (TSN), is a patented curtain wall stud engineered to deliver greater strength and stiffness than conventional CFS studs — using less material in the process.
For structural engineers specifying curtain wall assemblies, JamStud offers a path to better performance, lower material quantities, and more efficient designs. SteelSmart® System’s Curtain Wall module supports the design of curtain wall framing with TSN members, giving engineers the tools to evaluate and specify JamStud within a complete wall design workflow.
What Makes JamStud Different?
JamStud’s patented cross-section geometry significantly improves both axial and lateral load resistance compared to standard curtain wall studs of equivalent gauge. The result is a member that can span taller wall heights, accommodate wider stud spacing, and handle demanding wind and seismic load conditions — all without requiring heavier gauge steel.
This structural efficiency has direct downstream benefits: fewer studs per assembly, reduced material costs, and less labor time in both fabrication and installation.
Key Performance Advantages
Increased strength and stiffness — JamStud’s enhanced section properties allow for taller walls and wider stud spacing than conventional alternatives, reducing the total number of framing members required without sacrificing structural performance.
Superior curtain wall performance — Curtain wall systems must resist wind loads and accommodate seismic drift without transferring unintended forces into the framing. JamStud’s geometry minimizes deflection under lateral loads, helping walls perform as designed under real-world conditions.
Material and cost efficiency — By achieving greater performance from lighter gauge steel, JamStud enables specifiers to reduce material quantities and overall project costs compared to standard stud substitutions that require heavier members or closer spacing.
Straightforward installation — JamStud is compatible with standard CFS construction methods and requires no special tools or modified installation sequences, making it easy to incorporate into conventional curtain wall framing workflows.
Sustainability — Using less material to achieve the same or better structural performance reduces embodied carbon and jobsite waste — meaningful advantages for projects pursuing LEED or other green building certifications.
Where JamStud Is Used
JamStud is well-suited for commercial, institutional, and industrial curtain wall applications where conventional studs are pushed to their performance limits. It has been specified on high-rise buildings requiring tall, wide-span curtain wall systems, hospitals and institutional facilities where structural reliability is critical, and projects in seismic zones where enhanced lateral stability is required.
Designing JamStud Assemblies with SteelSmart®
SteelSmart® System’s Curtain Wall module allows engineers to design non-axial-load-bearing wall framing with TSN members, including JamStud. Engineers can evaluate stud sizing, spacing, and deflection limits within the software — generating the design documentation needed to support specification, review, and construction.
SteelSmart® Framer, the BIM plugin for Autodesk® Revit®, extends this further by enabling detailed 3D modeling of curtain wall framing with JamStud members, supporting accurate material takeoffs and panel shop drawings.