Is it really true that knock-down (KD) drywall sidelights, borrowed lights, and transom frames can make your job easier? Absolutely. They can give you the same benefits of KD drywall three-sided frames and make a job run smoother.
KD drywall three-sided frames in standard sizes have the convenience of being in stock at most distributors. This same convenience is true for KD drywall elevations as well. Most distributors have a factory source that can get any KD drywall frame or elevation shipped on lead times as fast as the same day.
Advantages Over Welded Frames
| Advantage | Detail |
|---|---|
| Save time | The contractor can build and finish walls before frames are needed — no need to set frames before drywall. |
| Easier transport | KDs are easier to move to each opening, especially on upper floors or in confined spaces. |
| Lower unit cost | KD frames cost less to manufacture than welded frames. |
| Lower shipping cost | KD frames cost up to 50% less to ship than welded equivalents. |
| No shop labor | KD frames require no skilled shop welding, grinding, or painting labor at the distributor. |
| Less warehouse space | KD frames ship flat and take up significantly less warehouse and truck space. |
Right Applications for KD Drywall
Although KD frames are not suitable for every project, they are ideal for office retrofits, medical office buildings, retail, and many similar interior applications. Key criteria for choosing KD over welded:
- Interior non-fire-rated or 20-minute fire-rated applications
- Metal stud and drywall wall construction
- Projects where walls are completed before frames are installed
- Retrofit or renovation projects where finished walls already exist
- Any application where shipping a pre-assembled welded unit is impractical
KD Drywall Elevations: Sidelights, Borrowed Lights, and Transoms
Despite the widespread acceptance of KD drywall three-sided frames, KD drywall sidelights, borrowed lights, and transom frames have yet to gain the same acceptance. One reason may be installation familiarity. The installation process is straightforward once understood, and HMF Express provides instructional resources to support installers on these configurations.
For borrowed lights and sidelights, the same advantages apply: lower cost, faster transport, easier installation after walls are complete. The key is verifying that the frame design is appropriate for the wall thickness and fire rating requirements of the opening.
What Distributors Gain
Distributors gain indirect savings in time and money as KD drywall frames and elevations do not consume valuable shop time and resources like their welded counterparts — no welding gas, wire, grinding pads, or skilled welding labor required.
Using a quick-ship KD supplier also reduces inventory risk. Instead of stocking assembled welded frames in varied sizes, distributors can stock a smaller range of KD components and order custom sizes as needed with short lead times.