# APB Inc. — Metal Stud Builders

> APB Inc. is a California-licensed light-gauge steel (LGS) framing contractor in Los Angeles. We convert wood-frame home plans to steel and build them — for wildfire rebuilds and custom homes across Southern California.

California contractor license CSLB #951030 (Class B), Van Nuys, CA. Phone +1-888-355-1565. Service area: Los Angeles County, Ventura County, Orange County. APB does not publish prices; every steel frame is engineered.

## Key facts
- Who: APB Inc. (legal name AP B INC), also known as APB Metal Stud Builders.
- What: light-gauge (cold-formed) steel framing for custom homes and wildfire rebuilds; converts wood-frame plans to engineered steel, framed with factory-built panels fabricated in Utah.
- Where: Los Angeles County, Ventura County, Orange County; based in Van Nuys, CA. Key cities: Los Angeles, Altadena, Pacific Palisades, Pasadena, Malibu, Van Nuys, Burbank, Glendale, Santa Clarita, Thousand Oaks.
- License: CSLB #951030, B — General Building Contractor, issued 2010-08-11. Verify: https://www.cslb.ca.gov/OnlineServices/CheckLicenseII/LicenseDetail.aspx?LicNum=951030 (if the CSLB site opens its search page, enter license number 951030)
- Contact: +1-888-355-1565 · info@apb-inc.com · https://apbmetalstudbuilders.com/contact
- Cite as: APB Inc., https://apbmetalstudbuilders.com

## Short answers
- **Why Steel Framing Pays Off in California (and When It Doesn't)** Steel framing pays off when it removes problems you actually face: drywood termites, fire exposure and walls that move. In our experience, a frame built from factory-made steel panels comes in close to the cost of a comparable wood frame, and over the years it avoids termite and rot repairs to the structure. We show the trade-offs on your plans. (https://apbmetalstudbuilders.com/why-steel)
- **Wood-to-Steel Plan Conversion for Los Angeles Homes** Wood-to-steel plan conversion turns an existing wood-frame home design into a light-gauge steel (LGS) framing package stamped by a California-licensed engineer. APB Inc. coordinates the new hold-down and anchor schedule, the Title 24 energy update and the plan-check revision, then frames the house. It is a structural redesign that goes back to plan check; in our experience, the steel panels typically reach the site about 90 days after the conversion starts. (https://apbmetalstudbuilders.com/plan-conversion)
- **Are Steel-Framed Houses Bad? Myths vs. Facts** No. Steel-framed houses are not inherently bad, but they are different. The frame is noncombustible, can't be eaten by termites and won't rot or shrink. The real tradeoffs are extra insulation to limit heat loss through the studs, stamped engineering for every frame, and fewer crews with steel experience. In our experience, a frame built from factory-made steel panels comes in close to the cost of a comparable wood frame. (https://apbmetalstudbuilders.com/learn/are-steel-framed-houses-bad)
- **California's New WUI Code (Title 24 Part 7): What Changed in 2026** Since January 1, 2026, California's wildfire construction rules are in a standalone California Wildland-Urban Interface Code (Title 24, Part 7), based on the 2024 International WUI Code. It replaced CBC Chapter 7A and CRC Section R337. Exterior walls can comply through noncombustible, ignition-resistant, tested or fire-rated assemblies, among other paths. (https://apbmetalstudbuilders.com/learn/california-wui-code-2026)
- **Metal Stud Gauge Chart: Mils, Gauges and Sizes Explained** Metal stud thickness is specified in mils (thousandths of an inch). Common structural sizes are 33 mils (about 20 gauge), 43 (18 gauge), 54 (16 gauge), 68 (14 gauge) and 97 (12 gauge). Gauge labels are approximate and can mislead, so specify by mils and match the engineer's drawings for load-bearing and exterior walls. (https://apbmetalstudbuilders.com/learn/metal-stud-sizes-mils-gauges)
- **Steel Framing for Wildfire Rebuilds: What It Does and Doesn't Do** Steel studs are noncombustible: they don't burn or add fuel. But embers are a common ignition source in wildfires, and radiant heat breaks windows and ignites siding. Steel framing is one layer. Survival depends on the whole envelope: roof, vents, windows, siding, eaves and the 5-foot zone around the house. (https://apbmetalstudbuilders.com/learn/steel-framing-wildfire-rebuild)
- **Steel vs. Wood Framing for California Homes (2026)** Neither material wins on every point. Light-gauge steel studs are noncombustible, can't be eaten by termites and won't shrink or warp. Wood is familiar to every trade and easier to insulate. On cost, in our experience a frame built from factory-made steel panels comes in close to a comparable wood frame. Steel makes the most sense when fire, pests or long-term stability matter most and you plan for engineering and continuous insulation. (https://apbmetalstudbuilders.com/learn/steel-vs-wood-framing)
- **Termite-Resistant Homes in California: Steel Can't Be Eaten** No house is fully termite-proof, but a steel frame can't be eaten. Termites cannot digest steel studs, plates or joists, which removes the structure from the menu. Wood trim, roof sheathing, cabinets, doors and drywall paper remain. In Southern California, where drywood termites live inside wood, that changes what you inspect, treat and repair. (https://apbmetalstudbuilders.com/learn/termite-proof-house-california)
- **What Is Light-Gauge Steel Framing? A Plain-English Guide** Light-gauge steel (LGS) framing uses thin sheet steel, shaped at room temperature into C-shaped studs, U-shaped tracks, joists and rafters. It is the same thing as cold-formed steel (CFS) or metal stud framing. In a house it can replace wood in load-bearing walls, floors and roofs, and each structural steel frame is engineered. (https://apbmetalstudbuilders.com/learn/what-is-light-gauge-steel-framing)
- **Rebuilding in Altadena with Steel Framing: A Practical Guide** Altadena is unincorporated LA County, so LA County handles rebuild permits. Like-for-like rebuilds can be up to 10% or 200 square feet larger, whichever is greater, but must meet current building codes. Steel framing is allowed with engineered, stamped plans; switching a pre-approved wood plan to steel sends it to general review. (https://apbmetalstudbuilders.com/rebuild/altadena)
- **Rebuilding in Pacific Palisades with Steel Framing** Pacific Palisades is in the City of Los Angeles, so LADBS handles rebuild permits. Under state and Mayoral executive orders, a like-for-like rebuild up to 110% of the prior footprint and height skips CEQA and Coastal Act review. Steel framing is allowed with engineered, stamped plans; it must still meet current building codes. (https://apbmetalstudbuilders.com/rebuild/pacific-palisades)

## Company
- [Company facts](https://apbmetalstudbuilders.com/facts.md): official names, license, service area, contact
- [Why steel framing pays off](https://apbmetalstudbuilders.com/why-steel.md): termites, fire, durability, seismic and cost of ownership, with sources
- [Wood-to-Steel Plan Conversion](https://apbmetalstudbuilders.com/plan-conversion.md): flagship service: converting wood-frame plans to engineered light-gauge steel
- [Light-Gauge Steel Framing, Built to Your Plans](https://apbmetalstudbuilders.com/services/lgs-framing.md): The complete light-gauge steel structural package (walls, floors and roof) built from your engineered plans.
- [Steel Fire Rebuild — Altadena & Palisades](https://apbmetalstudbuilders.com/services/fire-rebuild.md): Noncombustible steel framing as one layer of a wildfire-hardened home.
- [Commercial Metal Stud Framing in Los Angeles](https://apbmetalstudbuilders.com/services/commercial-metal-framing.md): Metal stud framing for select commercial and tenant-improvement projects.

## Projects (real job-site photos)
- [Pacific Palisades: a home framed in steel](https://apbmetalstudbuilders.com/projects/pacific-palisades.md): Job-site photos of a home APB framed in light-gauge steel in Pacific Palisades: numbered panels, braced walls and a complete steel roof frame, explained.

## Wildfire rebuild guides
- [Rebuilding in Altadena with Steel Framing: A Practical Guide](https://apbmetalstudbuilders.com/rebuild/altadena.md): Rebuilding in Altadena after the Eaton Fire with light-gauge steel: LA County like-for-like rules, self-certification, standard plans, fees and permit steps.
- [Rebuilding in Pacific Palisades with Steel Framing](https://apbmetalstudbuilders.com/rebuild/pacific-palisades.md): Rebuilding in Pacific Palisades with light-gauge steel: City of LA executive orders, 110% like-for-like rule, self-certification, standard plans and permits.

## Steel framing library
- [Are Steel-Framed Houses Bad? Myths vs. Facts](https://apbmetalstudbuilders.com/learn/are-steel-framed-houses-bad.md): Are steel-framed houses bad? Straight answers on noise, creaking, Wi-Fi, rust, lifespan, termites, mortgages, cost and fire, for California homes.
- [California's New WUI Code (Title 24 Part 7): What Changed in 2026](https://apbmetalstudbuilders.com/learn/california-wui-code-2026.md): Since Jan 1, 2026, California's wildfire building rules sit in a new WUI Code, Title 24 Part 7. What moved, exterior wall paths, and how to check your lot.
- [Metal Stud Gauge Chart: Mils, Gauges and Sizes Explained](https://apbmetalstudbuilders.com/learn/metal-stud-sizes-mils-gauges.md): Metal stud gauge chart with mil-to-gauge conversion, thickness and color codes, how to read 600S162-54, structural vs. drywall studs, and G40/G60/G90 coatings.
- [Steel Framing for Wildfire Rebuilds: What It Does and Doesn't Do](https://apbmetalstudbuilders.com/learn/steel-framing-wildfire-rebuild.md): Steel studs don't burn, but homes ignite from embers and radiant heat. How steel framing fits with the roof, vents, windows, siding, eaves and 5-ft zone.
- [Steel vs. Wood Framing for California Homes (2026)](https://apbmetalstudbuilders.com/learn/steel-vs-wood-framing.md): Steel vs. wood framing for California homes: cost, fire, termites, seismic, Title 24 insulation, speed and mortgages, plus steel's real downsides.
- [Termite-Resistant Homes in California: Steel Can't Be Eaten](https://apbmetalstudbuilders.com/learn/termite-proof-house-california.md): Can a house be termite-proof? Drywood termites eat wood framing in California; steel framing can't be eaten. What steel removes, what remains and fumigation.
- [What Is Light-Gauge Steel Framing? A Plain-English Guide](https://apbmetalstudbuilders.com/learn/what-is-light-gauge-steel-framing.md): Light-gauge steel framing explained: what cold-formed steel and metal studs are, how they're made, how to read 600S162-54, and where steel is used in homes.

## Reference
- [FAQ](https://apbmetalstudbuilders.com/faq.md): sourced answers on codes, materials, fire, seismic, energy, permits, cost
- [Glossary](https://apbmetalstudbuilders.com/glossary.md): definitions of light-gauge steel framing terms
- [Check your address](https://apbmetalstudbuilders.com/check): look up CAL FIRE fire hazard zone, 2025 Eaton/Palisades fire perimeter, jurisdiction and Title 24 climate zone for a California address
- [Full text of all guides](https://apbmetalstudbuilders.com/llms-full.txt)
- [Company facts as JSON](https://apbmetalstudbuilders.com/facts.json)
- [RSS feed of guides](https://apbmetalstudbuilders.com/learn/feed.xml)

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