Mexico Light Gauge Steel Framing Market Overview, 2030

The foundational transformation of the Mexican construction industry accelerated following major seismic events, particularly the Mexico City earthquake, which highlighted the critical importance of structural systems capable of withstanding significant ground motion while providing cost-effective solutions for rapid reconstruction efforts across urban and rural areas. The manufacturing landscape for Light Gauge Steel Framing in Mexico has embraced roll-forming as the predominant production method, with sophisticated equipment installations concentrated in industrial clusters that benefit from proximity to raw material sources and transportation infrastructure connecting to major construction markets throughout the country. Roll-forming operations have been strategically established to take advantage of Mexico's position as a bridge between North American and Latin American markets, with production capabilities designed to serve both domestic demand and export opportunities to neighboring countries seeking high-quality steel building components. Prefabricated and modular framing systems have gained substantial momentum throughout Mexico, driven by government housing initiatives that prioritize rapid construction of affordable housing units and the growing recognition among developers that factory-controlled manufacturing processes can deliver superior quality control compared to traditional field construction methods. The question of local raw material availability versus import reliance reveals a complex dynamic within Mexican steel production, as the country benefits from substantial domestic steel manufacturing capabilities through major producers including ArcelorMittal México's main operation located in Lázaro Cárdenas, Michoacán and Ternium, a company producing premium quality steel for the construction industry and a leading steel company in the Americas.

According to the research report, ""Mexico Light Gauge Steel framing Market Overview, 2030,"" published by Bonafide Research, the Mexico Light Gauge Steel framing market is anticipated to add to more than USD 220 Million by 2025–30. Scottsdale Construction Systems took back the rights to the North America and Mexico markets in 2016 from Nucor and Illinois Tool Works and now sells and supports these markets alongside the rest of the world markets, exemplifying the type of strategic realignment that has characterized the industry as companies optimize their geographic coverage and market focus. Joint ventures between Mexican companies and international partners have facilitated technology transfer and market access, particularly in situations where foreign companies possess superior manufacturing techniques or specialized product innovations while Mexican partners provide essential local market knowledge, regulatory compliance expertise, and established relationships with construction professionals throughout the country. The most notable strategic development involves the ongoing situation with Altos Hornos de México (AHMSA), where the president of Mexico, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, reportedly rejected a proposal from US-based Argentem Creek Partners to buy Altos Hornos and suggested that Ternium or ArcelorMittal should buy AHMSA instead, highlighting the government's preference for established steel industry players to maintain control of critical manufacturing assets. This potential acquisition represents a significant consolidation opportunity within Mexico's steel sector, as AHMSA has historically been one of the country's major integrated steel producers. Purchasing decisions are influenced by multiple factors including initial material costs, availability of skilled labor, project schedule constraints, building code compliance requirements, and long-term performance expectations related to maintenance costs and structural durability. The increasing sophistication of buyers has created demand for comprehensive technical support, training programs, and design assistance that helps construction professionals optimize the performance and cost-effectiveness of steel framing systems.

In Mexico, among structural types for LGSF, wall bearing steel framing remains the largest and most used form. Builders across many Mexican cities still favor wall bearing framing in residential and small commercial projects because it is simpler, less costly, and aligns well with the relatively low to mid rise construction that dominates. The walls themselves carry loads from roofs or upper levels, which makes them efficient for many standard housing or low-rise commercial buildings. Because much of Mexico experiences moderate seismic risk, wall bearing designs combined with appropriate detailing help maintain both cost and safety. Skeleton steel framing is growing fastest in terms of percentage growth. As urbanization continues in states like Nuevo León, Jalisco, Mexico City, and in border regions, there’s increasing demand for mixed use buildings, apartment towers, commercial complexes where flexibility is needed. Skeleton framing allows more open floor plans, larger window facades, and easier adaptability for changes in layout, more efficient mechanical/electrical routing, and in many cases, better speed in construction when parts are prefabricated. This is appealing as Mexico’s construction sector pushes toward more modern architectural forms and higher urban density. Long span steel framing is less widespread in Mexico but serves important niche sectors. Industrial buildings, large warehouses, agricultural sheds, and big retail stores that need large roof spans with minimal internal supports increasingly use long span systems. The higher material cost, more complex engineering, and greater structural reinforcement required under Mexico’s codes mean these long span systems are used only when the functional requirement justifies the premium.

Residential remains the most prominent end use for light gauge steel framing in Mexico. Many developers of single family homes, townhouses, and smaller apartment blocks are choosing LGSF for its advantages over traditional materials: more consistent quality, resistance to pests and moisture, and quicker construction important in regions where labor costs are rising or where weather can delay build cycles. In suburban and peri urban zones of Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey and other growing metro areas, residential developers are increasingly open to LGSF especially when paired with prefabricated or panelized systems to help maintain schedule and cost. Shopping centers, office buildings, small retail outlets, business parks, and hospitality buildings are adopting more steel framing, especially in interior partitions, façades, and secondary framing. The drive here is for faster build outs, design flexibility, and better performance relative to some traditional methods. As foreign investment and modern retail development continue, demand for more architecturally expressive commercial buildings with large spans, open interiors, and higher performance is pushing LGSF’s uptake. Institutional usage is increasing but more cautiously. These projects often have stronger regulatory, safety, and durability demands, along with stricter financing and procurement rules. When institutions use LGSF, it's often in modernization, expansions, modular classrooms or clinics, or parts of buildings. The opportunity is strong because Mexico is investing in public infrastructure, but full structure adoption needs alignment with codes, local acceptance, and proven performance.

C shaped steel sections are the backbone of Mexico’s LGSF product profile. These components are used heavily in almost every framed wall, partition, floor, and ceiling. Builders value C shaped studs for their load carrying capacity, ease of installation, compatibility with sheathing and insulation, and relatively lower cost compared to more specialized profiles. In residential construction, standard gauges of C sections are widely stocked, with local and regional manufacturers supplying sizes appropriate to the typical loads and span requirements in Mexico, especially in non extreme climate zones. U shaped tracks serve as top and bottom plates of walls, guide and anchor studs, and help align framing assemblies. Their relative simplicity and necessity gives them broad usage in nearly every project that uses C studs. Proper design and quality of U track is important in ensuring wall stability, especially in regions prone to seismic activity or humidity where framing alignment and connection tightness matter a lot. In Mexico, Z purlins application tends to be in industrial, agricultural, and large commercial roofing or wall cladding systems where long spans or special roof profiles are necessary. For example, warehouses or large distribution centers use Z purlins to support roofing sheets, manage wind uplift, and sometimes to help with drainage or aesthetic profiles. Because Z purlins often require stronger steel or more precise fabrication, they cost more and have trade offs in thermal bridging and corrosion unless properly protected.

Wall systems are by far the most used construction system in Mexico’s LGSF market. Nearly every building project that uses steel framing includes wall assemblies exterior load bearing or non bearing interior partitions. Wall systems form the essential envelope of buildings, controlling structural support, insulation, weather resistance, exposure to elements, and separation of interior spaces. In Mexico’s varied climate, proper wall system design needs to accommodate thermal expansion, moisture control, insulation, sealing against the elements, and resistance to seismic forces. Because of this, wall systems are often where most of the engineering, materials, and cost attention is focused. Many commercial, industrial, agricultural, and institutional buildings use roof systems built using steel joists, Z purlins or trusses, especially where spans are moderate to large. Roof systems in Mexico often need to handle heavy rains, occasional hurricanes, or snow in high altitude zones, so strength, water tightness, insulation, and drainage are key drivers. Also, architectural styles are increasingly popular especially in commercial and public buildings, pushing roof system design upward in specification. Floor systems built with light gauge steel are less common than walls or roofs but are growing in certain building types, multi storey residential mixed use, commercial buildings where speed, material durability, lighter weight, and fire resistance are important. Prefabricated floor panels using LGSF components are seeing increasing interest, particularly to reduce onsite labour and adapt to challenging weather or remote project sites. They appear more in commercial interiors, offices, shopping centers, institutional settings, or where acoustic or HVAC/lighting integration is important.

Considered in this report
• Historic Year: 2019
• Base year: 2024
• Estimated year: 2025
• Forecast year: 2030

Aspects covered in this report
• Light Gauge Steel Framing Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Structural Type
• Skeleton steel framing
• Wall bearing steel framing
• Long span steel framing

By End-use
• Residential
• Commercial
• Institutional
• Industrial
• Others

By Construction System
• Wall Systems
• Roof Systems
• Floor Systems
• Ceiling Systems Show more