Steel Solutions for a Green Economy

Steel plays a role in just about every aspect of our lives, and it continues to be one of the most widely used metals in the world. In the mid-1800s when the current form of steel production was refined, an industry was born that has spurred economic growth, and contributed to many of the things we enjoy about our modern lives, including our housing, transportation, infrastructure, energy production, healthcare, restaurants, and more.

Steel Fueling the Green Revolution
Many people, companies, and organizations today are looking for ways that they can cut costs, reduce expenses related to energy consumption, and help make the world a little more earth friendly. Steel is also having an impact on this new “green revolution”, offering options for helping develop nations, enhancing resources, and improving efficiency in many industries.

Reduce, Recycle, Reuse
While recycling is not a new idea, there are many people today who are just starting to realize how beneficial recycled steel is because you can continue to reuse it almost endlessly. What that means is when you get steel from Wasatch Steel, you can use it today for your project, then recycle it later if needed. In addition, since it is so recyclable, most of the steel you find (even the new stuff) has been recycled so it’s a more environmentally friendly steel. Not only is steel strong, it can be recycled almost endlessly without any effect on its strength-to-weight ratio or its other properties.

In fact, about 22 billion tons of steel has been recycled since we first discovered that we could reuse it in the early 1900s, and all but 2 percent of the raw materials used to make steel are also reused to create products and by-products, which helps keep costs down.

More Efficiency, Lower Costs
There are many challenges that society faces when it comes to our natural resources, which is why it’s important to evolve to use more environmentally friendly steel and similar products. There are many ways that steel can contribute to a more efficient and profitable economy, including:

• Building lighter, more fuel-efficient vehicles
• Building wind turbines and steel dams with steel to capture renewable energy resources
• Providing safe healthy housing for new home buyers
• Creating energy-efficient and strong buildings

In addition, steel is much lighter than other metal options, which means that when you use it for your next project, it will require less fuel to transport to your project site.

Steel is Growing
The use of steel in just about everything we create has not always been the case. However, there is a significant shift toward global steel use, and it has increased sevenfold since 1950. You can find a wide selection of different types of steel at Wasatch Steel, all labeled and packaged to make it easy to find, just like shopping at your local supermarket.

The strength, durability, and low cost of steel, along with the popularity of recycled steel, have made it a popular option for builders from all different industries, and individuals who need a strong material for home or office applications. By using steel, you are taking a small step toward greater efficiency, lower costs, and reduced energy consumption.

Steel for All Size Operations & Projects

Steel is one of the most universally used materials in our world today, and for many different reasons. The main reason so many people like building with steel is that it provides a very strong and reliable building material no matter what you are planning to construct. Its uses range from supporting the tallest skyscrapers and the longest bridges to more simple applications, such as anchoring the foundation of a home with steel rebar. In fact, steel has one of the highest strength-to-weight ratios of any metal in the world. In addition, it is often a favorite because it is widely available and often less expensive than other metals you might use in construction.

If you are working on a building project, no matter the scope or size, you should consider using steel. Here are just some of the applications you can use it for, and some of the reasons it makes such a great choice.

Residential Building & Construction
Whether you are an individual looking to build your dream home, or you are a large-scale contractor who is building several homes every day, Wasatch Steel in Utah has the materials that you need to create a beautiful, durable home. Unlike wood, which is often used as an alternative to steel for framing residential homes, steel can provide you with a stronger base and it is more resistant to fire or severe weather, which makes it a safer option. Wasatch Steel is the Utah steel supermarket, offering several different types, grades, and shapes of steel that you can use as an individual do-it-yourself home builder, or as a contractor. There are no minimum orders, which means you can get exactly what you need regardless of the scope of your project.

Commercial Building Construction
If you are someone who works on commercial construction, buying quality steel is important. You can find a wide selection of all the sizes and shapes that you need, from I-beams to angle iron and more at Wasatch Steel in Utah. If you try to buy it direct from the mill, they often have large minimum order requirements, which makes it difficult if you’re not a high volume construction contractor. Instead, get the same quality steel from Wasatch Steel’s Utah steel supermarket and get better service.

Infrastructure Projects
Steel is all around us in our infrastructure, from the bridges we use to the roads we drive on, the schools our children attend, and more. When you have an infrastructure project that requires a strong, durable, affordable metal, steel is the way to go.

Smaller Scale Steel Projects
Even if you are not a large-scale commercial construction manager, or a residential contractor building with steel, there are still many uses for steel. It is great for landscaping, do-it-yourself building projects around the house, deck and stair railing, and more. You can also use it to add flair to your artwork and projects, or as a decorative element in your garden or your home. Wasatch Steel is your Utah steel supermarket, with a wide selection of unique pieces of excess prime and used metal so you get a great price and beautiful steel for everything you need.

Selecting the Right Steel for the Right Application

Steel is one of the most widely used metals in the world, and for good reason. It is one of the strongest metals, with a very high strength-to-weight ratio that makes it ideal for creating everything from bridges and roads to skyscrapers and small appliances. The key to buying steel is to understand all the different options so you can select one that is perfect for your construction or building project. Here is a brief overview of what you should look for when you come to the steel supermarket at Wasatch Steel in Utah.
 
Cost
One of the things that makes steel such an attractive option for many different building applications, creating everything from small works of art to large bridges and huge freeway systems, is its relatively low cost compared to other metals. Because it is light relative to other metals, it is also an attractive option if you need to have it shipped to you, or to a construction site—the lighter metal means less money spent on fuel to transport it.

Availability
There are six basic shapes of steel used in manufacturing today, including:

• Steel sheets – hot or cold rolled, up to about 5-7mm thick
• Bars – including round, rectangular, square, and hexagon shaped in varying thicknesses and diameters
• Tubes – including round, rectangular, and square, commonly used for piping
• Steel plates – including diamond plate and stainless steel plate
• Steel wire – mostly available in coils
• Structural steel – including angles, channels, I-beams, and more

At the steel supermarket at Wasatch Steel in Utah, you can find a wide variety of all these types of steel that are clearly labeled and easy to locate. If you don’t see the size you need, we can cut it to a custom size for you.

How it is Used
Another very important consideration for what kind of steel you need is how you are planning to use it. Since steel is extremely versatile, and comes in a wide variety of different configurations, including configurations that include additions of other metals, you need to know the options and which will work best for your application.

For instance, new prime stainless steel is often used in the medical field and food production because it is very sanitary, and it is easy to keep clean. If you’re planning to build products for these industries, getting excess prime or used steel would obviously not work. On the other hand, if you are planning to build a large building, or use it in aerospace, you want to have the strongest steel possible to ensure that it will withstand forces that come with tall buildings or aircraft.

Industry Standards
When buying steel you can also take a look at industry standards for whatever you’re planning to build. Since the production of steel as we use it today has been refined over the past 150 years or so, there are many “industry best practice” materials that you can find. In other words, if everyone else is using it for a particular application, there is probably a reason—it has probably been proven to be the best steel option for that application.

In addition, you should consult any building codes or safety codes that can act as a guideline for getting the right type of steel. If there is no specific code for the project you’re working on, be liberal with your safety factor considerations.

Why Customer Service Matters When Buying Steel

When it comes to buying things, you want to work with a company that has your best interest in mind. These days there are a lot of companies that say that they have great customer service, but do they prove it whenever you go in to shop with them? At Wasatch Steel, one of our biggest goals is to cater to every customer with the highest level of service possible. That’s what differentiates us from the big guys, and we take pride in being able to cater to whatever your needs are, from large construction or building projects to smaller do-it-yourself metal working. Here are just some of the things that we can offer at the steel supermarket.

A Wide Selection of Steel & Accessories
We have a huge selection of all types of steel in stock every day at Wasatch Steel. Some of the most common items that we stock include:

• Tubing – square and rectangular
• Flat bar – 100 different sizes, all thickness and widths
• Angle iron – L and V with equal and unequal leg angles
• C-channel
• Ornamental iron
• Piping – in a variety of thicknesses and diameters
• Steel plates – excess prime, new prime, diamond plate
• Expanded metal
• Railings and pickets
• Structural steel and columns
• Hard-to-find unique shapes, and surplus steel for artwork

Considering All Your Needs
Nothing is more frustrating than having to run all over town trying to find all the little items that you need to make your project work. At Wasatch Steel, we want to make shopping for steel easy, and provide not only a huge selection of all types of steel tubing, piping, structural pieces, and plates, but also the tools and accessories you need to finish the project. Our retail store has almost any tool or accessory you might need, all in one convenient location where you pick up your steel.

In addition, we cater to walk-ins, and have no minimum order requirements. Whether you are looking for just one small piece, or you need a big shipment for your next construction site, we can help you get it. At traditional steel mills the minimum order is often several thousands pounds of steel, which won’t work for the weekend warrior who needs just one or two smaller pieces, or the artist looking for something unique for a new art piece.

Easy-to-Find Selection
We know you don’t want to spend all day shopping for steel, which is why we organize our entire steel warehouse just like a supermarket—that’s why we are known and the steel supermarket. It’s all cut, packaged, and labeled so it’s easy to find exactly the piece you are looking for, compare it to other similar products that are labeled and displayed nearby, and find the perfect pieces.

Custom Orders
We also offer custom steel orders so you can get the perfect piece no matter what you are building. We can cut to any length you need and deliver it by the truckload or one piece at a time. We also offer plasma cutting, and can create any metal sign you can dream up, and we can do punching, bending, or other preparation for fabricators.

When you are shopping for steel, there is no better place to find a wide selection or new or excess prime items than the steel supermarket. Every time you visit you can expect a huge selection, quick turnaround time, and the highest level of service and satisfaction. We know you have a choice when you shop for steel—let us show you why you should choose Wasatch Steel.

The Many Uses for Flat Bar Steel

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Steel is one of the most commonly used products in the world today for many reasons, not the least of which is its strength and durability. Steel has been around for many years, and before steel mills developed the modern technique for creating this metal, it was forged in blacksmith shops as iron. Today’s steel combines iron and carbon to make one of the most durable metals available while still being relatively light, which is why we use it to make everything from roads and bridges to skyscrapers, vehicles, and home appliances.

What is Flat Bar Steel?

We already know that steel is a widely used metal, and one of the most versatile and useful steel types is flat bar. This type of steel is often used in manufacturing, fabricating, contracting, and for special projects that require a strong and malleable metal to be successful. When you look at flat bar steel, it is easy to recognize, because just as its name would suggest, it is flat bars of metal.

Getting the Right Flat Bar Steel

Since it is used in so many different applications for such a wide variety of things, it is available from the steel supermarket at Wasatch Steel in many different shapes and sizes. It is most commonly denoted using three measurements: Thickness x Width x Length. The thickness can range from ⅛” to ¼” or more, and you can get it in standard lengths of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, or 20 feet, or you can have the friendly and helpful employees at Wasatch Steel help you get some that is cut to your exact specifications.

Reasons to Consider Steel Flat Bar

Whether you are working on a large-scale industrial or construction project or you are just planning to do some basic welding or do-it-yourself work around the house, there are many steel uses for flat bar. It is often chosen for projects because it is very easy to weld, and can be cut to specific lengths and widths with ease. In addition, it is easy to form to whatever shape you prefer.

You can also find it in many different metal types, including stainless steel, traditional steel, and even in aluminum in some cases, although if you are planning a project where you need greater ability to form the steel, it’s best to choose a more mild version of traditional steel that has less carbon content so it’s easier to work with. In addition to being great for forming into whatever use you have, mild steel is easy to recycle, so it’s great for the environment too.

Find Your Flat Bar at Wasatch Steel

At Wasatch Steel, your steel supermarket, you can find a wide array of flat bar steel sizes. We get them in all shapes and sizes, including brand new, excess prime (new, but potentially oxidized or showing other signs of wear), and used or recycled steel. You can also find a range of both hot-rolled and slit-rolled flat bar, depending on your individual needs. We are here to help you find exactly the flat bar products you need.

Using Steel Finishes to Enhance a Project

We use steel in many different applications for our everyday lives, but sometimes there are things that we want to have the strength and properties of steel, without the industrial or clinical look of traditional steel items. In those cases, it’s great to be able to get steel finishes at the steel supermarket at Wasatch Steel that complete the look and allow you to match your project with the perfect décor. 

Steel vs Wood  

One of the steel finishes growing in popularity in the industry is wood grain finish, making steel doors and fences look more like wood. Many people choose to use steel doors today instead of traditional wood doors for several reasons:

• Steel doors and fences offer a high level of strength and security. If you are installing doors or fencing for your home, or even for a business, storage unit, garage, or other facility, having the added security can be beneficial. Steel is one of the strongest metals available today, and it offers better protection than fiberglass or wood because it won’t crack or warp over time. Steel is also a relatively light metal, so it offers great protection and security without being too heavy.
•  Steel doors and fences are also a cost-effective alternative to wood or other metals. Steel is usually more affordable than wood doors, and many come with an inner frame of wood to enhance the strength of the door.
• These doors are very easy to replace—whether you are planning to install a new door and need the entire frame apparatus, or you are just taking an old door off its hinges and hanging a new door. 
• With a wood grain finish, steel doors and fences can be made to look exactly like wood, with a realistic vinyl or baked-on polyester finish. The stile and rail patterns used on steel are designed to mirror the look of a majestic wood door. They include protective base coatings that ensure a smooth, beautiful finish.

Other Steel Finishes

In addition to making your steel look like wood, Wasatch Steel can help you with a variety of steel finishes that will match your metal to whatever color and look you need. These finishes include:

• Shiny finishes such as copper plate, copper plate with rainbow torch or dark pewter 
• Solid color finishes such as midnight black, or other colors like antique red and gun metal blue 
• Metal rust colors such as copper and gold 
• Dark and light pewters 
• Metal coatings such as copper, bronze, brass, gold, steel, or aluminum

Patinas

One of the most famous places you can observe a patina is on the Statue of Liberty. On the outside of metals such as copper and bronze, the interaction with water, air, carbon dioxide, and other chemicals causes the formation of a tarnish called a patina, which protects the metal from damage related to weather, corrosion, or exposure. At Wasatch Steel, the steel supermarket, we have patinas that include the traditional green color, brown tarnish, verde green, and aqua blue.

Choosing a steel finish can be a great way to enhance the look of your steel, and the protective coatings often last longer than paint and provide better everyday protection from scratches, dings, and damage to the coating.

The Ultimate Steel Buying Guide

The Ultimate Steel Buying Guide

Steel is one of the most used building materials in the world today, for several different things including automobiles, buildings, appliances, and more. It is one of the strongest metals available, and it includes benefits such as being very light and inexpensive to transport, having exceptional fire-resistance properties, and being very eco-friendly, which makes it a popular choice for many different applications. There are several different ways that you can purchase from Wasatch Steel, including new steel, surplus steel, and used steel, so this will serve as your ultimate buying guide.

Buying New Steel

New steel is one option for contractors and manufacturers alike. The biggest advantage of purchasing new steel is that it will have the “clean” steel look, with a shiny silver exterior and few imperfections, if any. This is often used in cases where it is necessary to have a very clean and prestigious look, including medical equipment at a hospital, and when it’s used for decorative purposes to give a building or a space an industrial kind of feeling.

There is also a need for brand new steel in cases such as food production equipment, where the items must be sanitary and clean for all uses. In fact, steel is often used for medical equipment or food production precisely because it is so easy to clean and keep sanitary.

Buying Used Steel

Another way to buy is used steel—and there are a couple of different ways you can get this type. The first is to get it after it’s been recycled and formed into new steel. One of the benefits of using steel for your building or other projects is its ability to be melted and recycled almost infinitely without losing any of its strength or other properties. In fact, since it can be so easily and readily recycled, steel is one of the most recycled items in the world today. If you’re looking for an eco-friendly option for your next project, recycled steel has the same strength properties and can be a great option to keep you on budget.

The second way to get used steel is to get it as scrap metal and refashion it for whatever your project is. This is a great option if you are able to weld it to the exact specifications that you need, and you can usually find scrap metal for a great price to help you keep the price of your project affordable.

Buying Excess Prime Steel

The final option for buying steel is to buy surplus steel, which is also sometimes referred to as “excess prime” steel. This type of steel is actually just like new, except that it doesn’t quite look like new. There are several things that can happen to a batch of brand new steel during its transportation from the steel mill to the end user. If there are any problems along the way, and the steel no longer looks like new, it has to be sold as surplus.

In many cases, this surplus steel or excess prime product has never been used, but because it has some freight damage, or a little bit of rust or oxidation from getting wet, it is significantly less than brand new steel. In fact, often you can save as much as 30-40% off the brand new price by buying excess prime.

When you need the best excess prime, used, or even new steel tubes, plates, beams, and more, you can find it all at the steel supermarket at Wasatch Steel.