6 Reasons to Buy From a Steel Wholesaler

There are a lot of different things that you can do with steel, such as residential or commercial building, constructing roads, making sterile equipment, building railings, manufacturing vehicles, or even decorating a home or yard. There are also a lot of different places that you can purchase steel, but the best place to buy is from a quality wholesaler like Wasatch Steel. Here are six reasons you should buy steel from a wholesaler.

1: Plenty of Variety
One of the great things about purchasing from a place like the steel supermarket in Utah is that you can find basically any kind of steel that you need. Whether you are looking for sheets of metal, pipes, angles, I-beams, small decorative steel pieces, spindles for your railing, or even odds and ends, you can find it at Wasatch Steel. If you try to purchase from a steel mill you have a very limited selection, and you have to buy it in huge quantities. Other steel retailers may have limited supplies or small inventories, which limits your ability to get exactly what you need.

2: Great Prices
At Wasatch Steel you will not only get a great variety of products, but you will also get the best possible prices. That’s because the experienced steel professionals at Utah’s steel supermarket know what to purchase and how to get the best possible deals, passing along the savings to their customers.

3: Wide Selection
You can find just about any shape of steel that you need, and you can find them in a wide variety of sizes, lengths, thicknesses, and more. Just like at the grocery store, you will find the selection at Wasatch Steel laid out in easy-to-browse rows that are organized and fully stocked. You won’t have to search high and low or go to multiple places to find steel that is just the size and specs you need.

4: Everything You Need Beyond Steel
In addition to supplying you with the steel you need for everything from big construction projects to do-it-yourself home projects, the steel wholesalers at Wasatch Steel have a huge selection of accessories that you need to properly work with steel. From safety and workshop tools to abrasives and hardware, you can shop for these accessories in person at our Salt Lake location or shop online from the convenience of your home.

5: More Than Just New Steel
One of the reasons that Wasatch Steel can offer such great prices is the way they buy steel from sellers around the country. You can purchase brand new steel if that is what you need, but they also offer excess prime and used steel if you are willing to compromise a little on the aesthetics but you still want high quality and a great price.

6: Exceptional Customer Service
The final reasons that Wasatch Steel is the best place to buy steel in Utah are the friendly faces and high levels of customer service. The experts there can help you find exactly what you need, then customize it to meet your exact specifications. In addition, they will usually do it with a smile on their faces, giving people a reason to come back to Wasatch Steel over and over again. Come find out why it’s the best steel wholesaler around

What NOT To Do When Buying Steel

Steel is an amazing metal, and there are about a billion different things that you can do with it. At a place like the Wasatch Steel "steel supermarket" you can find just about anything you need, which is what makes it such a great place to shop for any kind of metal you might need.

Unfortunately when it comes to buying steel there are still a lot of people that make some of these common mistakes. Here’s a guide to some of the thing that you should never do when trying to purchase steel.

Try to Buy Wholesale From the Steel Mill
Unless you are a major construction contractor who is building skyscrapers with steel, you probably will never be able to purchase enough to buy directly from the steel mill. The shipments from a mill are generally measured by the truckload (about 48,000 pounds of steel), which makes it difficult for an average buyer to get what you need.

Instead, a Salt Lake steel wholesaler is a great place to purchase steel because you can buy it in any quantity that you need, whether it’s one small piece or a huge truckload. At a place like Wasatch Steel you will get great customer service no matter how big a purchase you plan to make.

Buy Brand New Steel for Every Project
There are several different types of steel, and while it is a good idea to buy brand new steel for things that might require sterility (such as medical equipment, restaurant fixtures, etc.) there are also a lot of options out there to get used or excess prime steel and save some money.

Steel is one of the most recyclable materials in the world, so buying used means you can save your hard-earned money and the earth at the same time. Excess prime is a special kind of steel that has never been used, but might have some minor surface blemishes because it’s been exposed to moisture or air. If you can get past the aesthetic imperfections you can often save a ton of money buying these kind of products from Wasatch Steel.

Purchase Steel From an Unknown Online Retailer
Online shopping is a super convenient way to get everything you need, and steel doesn’t have to be any different. However, if you are planning to shop online, go with a local Utah steel wholesaler instead of some unknown and distant website where you may or may not get good customer service. Buying online from a local place means you get huge selection, great service, plus the convenience of shopping in your pajamas (or your birthday suit, if you prefer--just make sure you wear appropriate attire to come and pick up your steel).

Buy From Several Different Places
Another mistake that many people make is thinking that they have to purchase different types of steel from different places. Whether you need specialty pieces, decorative steel, functional steel, or odds and ends, the steel supermarket at Wasatch Steel is your one-stop-shop to get it all. Come see the huge selection and meet our friendly and helpful staff today to see just how easy it is to shop in one place for all your steel needs.

8 Questions to Ask When Buying Steel

Steel is a versatile material that can be used for many different applications, whether it is for your business or just for your personal needs. Since there is such a wide variety of different types, grades, colors, and finishes for steel it is important to know a little bit about how you plan to use it and what kind you need so you can pick out the perfect items from Wasatch Steel. Here are 8 questions you can ask to get started before your next steel shopping trip.

1. What are you planning to use it for?
This is, of course, one of the most important determining factors for buying steel in Utah. Obviously you would buy different steel for building a staircase in your home than you would for laying pipe at work, but beyond that you should define exactly what you need so you get the right product. You may have a rough idea of what you plan to do with it, but in order to get the right steel, it’s important to be specific about your needs.

2. What grade of steel do you need?
In its basic form, all steel is made up of iron and carbon, but there are several different grades and alloys that you can purchase within this broad category. What you buy will often depend on what characteristics you want it to have:

• Carbon steel is the most common steel type available from places like Wasatch Steel. 
• Alloy steels included additional elements such as silicon, nickel, titanium, and aluminum to improve hardness, corrosion resistance, strength, and ductility. 
• Stainless steel has a “finished” look so it’s great for home appliances, building, do-it-yourself artwork, and more. 
• The addition of tungsten, molybdenum, vanadium and cobalt increase durability and strength, making them ideal for tools.

3. What type of steel will work best?
Once you have answered question #1, the next step is to figure out the type you need. At a place like Wasatch Steel, you can find just about any type you can image, from functional steel for buildings and support such as I-beams and angles to hollow steel such as circular and rectangular pipes or even sheet metals such as diamond plate.

4. Do you want a specific finish or patina?
Steel is an amazing material to use for a whole variety of projects because you can get it in so many different finishes and patinas. For example, if you are looking for a clean, modern look you might prefer stainless steel, or if you want a more weathered look you expose steel to water and air so it develops a green/brown patina over time. Steel is also great because you can add powder coating, galvanization, or even paint.

5. Will used steel work, or does it need to be new?
At the steel supermarket you can find both used and new steel, including “excess prime” steel, which is new but has been exposed to air, water, or some other type of weather and might have some signs of oxidation. If you don’t need brand new steel, you might be able to save some money buying used, recycled, or excess prime at Wasatch Steel.

6. What is your budget for buying steel?
Determining your budget in advance can also help you decide whether you want to buy new, used, excess prime, or some other type of steel. Be sure to include any additional costs for tools or other accessories that you might need in your budget as well.

7. How much steel do you need for this project?
Of course it’s always a good idea to know what you will need for your project before you go shopping. Wasatch Steel has a huge selection to choose from at all times, but if you need a large load of steel it is a good idea to call in advance so we can order it in if needed.

8. Are you looking for a custom design or item?
Many businesses and homeowners use custom steel designs today for signage, stair railings, and more, and if you want something that is made just for you, bring your design and we can help make it a reality. If your needs are more generic, come look at the huge selection we have laid out in our warehouse and throughout our facilities.

Popular Steel Furniture Designs

There are a lot of different ways that people use steel, and it is found in so many different aspects of our lives today, including our vehicles, small appliances, and the support structures for everything from tall skyscrapers to bridges and roads.

In addition to these functional applications for steel many people like to use it as a decorative metal for various different artistic applications. One such instance is the use of steel to create furniture for your home. Here are some popular ways that people use the steel they purchase from Wasatch Steel to create beautiful and lasting designs for home furniture.

Tables & Chairs
Steel can be a popular choice to create tables and chairs for your home, providing you with a sturdy material that will be able to withstand a significant amount of force and pressure. That makes it a great choice for furniture that you plan to use a lot, such as the chairs in your kitchen or the coffee table in your family room. The great thing about steel is that you can create more contemporary or modern looks, or you can use ornamental steel from Wasatch Steel to create a classic look for your home. If you’re worried that chairs will be uncomfortable or hard, add cushions and other decorative pillows to soften the look and make it more appealing.

Patio Furniture
Since patio furniture is going to be outdoors, it needs to be something that can withstand all that Mother Nature brings, whether it’s wet, cold weather during a Utah winter, or the hot, dry heat of a Utah summer. Steel is often chosen for outdoor applications because it is extremely durable and can withstand the forces of nature. If you purchase galvanized steel from the steel supermarket, you will get building materials that include an extra layer of protection to prevent steel from the oxidation process (exposure to moisture and air) that accelerates rusting.

Desks & Entertainment Centers
Your home office and entertainment needs are also something that you can satisfy with steel furniture. Many beautiful minimalist designs can be created using steel to build either entertainment centers for your television, movies, and other electronics, or desks that will house your computers and important files. The great advantage of building your own steel furniture versus purchasing it from a home furnishing store is that you can build something that is completely customized to fit your exact needs, and it will still be functional and beautiful at the same time.

Steel is even a metal that can be painted, which means you can go for the “industrial” look of unpainted silver steel, or you can go with a more “polished” look of painted steel to match any décor in your home. You can also add curves to any metal piece to make it more visually appealing if you prefer that look over a more boxy, industrial appearance.

Bookshelves & Storage
Finding a convenient and sturdy place to store your books and other storage items requires furniture that is high quality and functional. Fortunately steel in your home in the form of bookshelves or other storage spaces can be both of these things. You can create shelves and other storage spaces from materials at Wasatch Steel that will go in your basement or storage areas, or you can create something that is beautiful and meant to be displayed in your home.

Steel furniture can be a great way to make a bold statement in style and function. Find what you need to create steel furniture at the steel supermarket of Wasatch Steel today.

The Basics on Steel Grades

The term “steel” is used to describe a very wide variety of products—the World Steel Association identified that there are actually 3,500 different steel grades that you can select from when using this kind of metal. Steel grades are assigned based on the different properties of steel, including chemical, environmental, and physical properties.

The most basic form of steel is a combination of iron and carbon, then from there the different levels of carbon and other impurities or additives determine its grade. Steel can be broadly categorized into four groups:

• Carbon steel
• Alloy steel
• Stainless steel
• Tool steel

Here’s a brief overview of steel categories and grades to help you sort through the information next time you plan to buy some from Wasatch Steel.

Carbon Steel
This is the most popular type of steel used, and accounts for about 9 out of 10 tons of steel produced worldwide at steel mills and sold in places like the steel supermarket at Wasatch Steel. It ranges from containing about 0.3 percent carbon to over 0.6 percent, and contains only trace amounts of alloying elements.

Alloy Steels
These types of steel contain some additional elements, the most popular being:

• Manganese
• Silicon
• Nickel
• Titanium
• Copper
• Chromium
• Aluminum

By adding these different elements you can change the property of the steel to make it harder, more corrosion-resistant, stronger, more malleable and formable, more weldable, and more ductile. Alloy steels are commonly used for things like building pipelines, parts for automobiles, and power generators.

Stainless Steel
This is a commonly known type of steel because it is used in many consumer products, such as small appliances. It has chromium added to make it better able to resist corrosion—the amount of chromium is between 10 and 20 percent, and determines its corrosive resistance levels. For example, steel with about 10-11 percent chromium is 200 times more resistant to corrosion than regular steel. The most commonly used stainless steels worldwide are Austensic, meaning they are non-magnetic and cannot be treated with heat. Other stainless steel alloys include Ferritic (which include nickel and molybdenum, aluminum, or titanium) and Martensitic (which include a small amount of nickel).

Tool Steel
This type of steel includes tungsten, molybdenum, vanadium and cobalt in different quantities that help the steel become more durable and better equipped for cutting, drilling, hammering, and more. They are very resistant to heat and extremely durable, which is why they make such a great material for tools. You can find a wide variety of tool steels at Wasatch Steel.

Steel is further divided into categories based on its shapes, including tubular shapes (rectangles, circles, squares, rods, and rails), flat products (coils, sheets, and strips), and miscellaneous products (piping materials, fittings, flanges, etc.).

Beyond these broad classifications, steel is further divided into smaller categories depending on its specific properties and what is added. When you have questions about the type of steel you might need, or you’re not sure what might work best for your next project, talk to the experts at Wasatch Steel to get some guidance and assistance.

What is Galvanized Steel?

When you need steel, there are many different options that you can choose from, and getting the right one is a matter of knowing what the benefits are of each different type. One such type of steel that you may come across at Wasatch Steel is galvanized steel, and here’s a brief overview of what it is and why you might use it in your steel projects.

What Does Galvanized Mean?
The process of galvanizing steel means to apply a coat of zinc oxide, which serves the purpose of preventing it from corroding or rusting. The name comes from the man who discovered this process, Italian Luigi Galvani.

Galvanization Methods
Hot-dipped galvanization, one of the most popular methods, is a process that involves submerging steel in zinc that has been melted, which allows them to bond permanently through a chemical reaction. It’s more than just a coating or a cover on the steel, it’s a permanent part of the new galvanized steel. On the outer layer you find zinc, the innermost layer is pure steel, and the layers in between are a mix of the two.

Other galvanization methods include continuous sheet galvanizing, where steel is run through molten zinc to create a very thin layer of protection; painting or spraying on the zinc, which doesn’t have as strong a bond; or electrogalvanizing, which uses electricity to bond the two metals. To find out what kind of protection the galvanized steel has when shopping at Wasatch Steel, you will often see a measurement of the zinc’s weight per surface area, so you know how thick it is coated on the steel.

Why Choose Galvanized Steel?
The main reason that many people use galvanized steel is for its durability and resistance to rusting. Iron, which makes up a significant portion of many types of steel, reacts when it is exposed to oxygen and moisture by disintegrating. A layer of zinc on the outside keeps the oxygen and moisture from getting to the steel as quickly as it would without the coating. The patina that it creates on the outside of the steel offers another layer of protection that makes it resistant to scratching, particularly hard, and gives it a shiny satin finish, which is why many people like the look of galvanized steel.

Where is Galvanized Steel Used?
Because it is so versatile and durable, galvanized steel is extremely popular and can be found in many different places throughout the world. Steel-framed houses and commercial buildings are often made with galvanized steel, metal roofing, vehicle parts, marine applications, and more. Like all steel, galvanized steel can be recycled and reused indefinitely without losing its strength, which makes it a popular choice for being “green” as well, and helps to keep the costs low.

While not all steel at Wasatch Steel is galvanized, you can find a wide selection at the steel supermarket to meet your needs. Come talk to use today about what you plan to do in your next project and we can help you find the right galvanized or non-galvanized steel to meet your needs.

The Benefits of Buying from Steel Wholesalers

There are a couple of different ways that you can purchase steel, and whenever you are in the market for any kind of steel, you can decide whether you want to buy from a steel mill (often just called a mill) or a steel wholesaler like Wasatch Steel. Here are some reasons you might prefer to buy from a wholesaler over the mill.

Steel Mills
Steel is made in mills in large quantities every day, and if you are in the market for a really big order of steel, this might be your best option for purchasing it. Going directly to the mill means you can cut out any “middleman” in the process, which might save you some money.

However, since they do produce a significant amount of steel every day—even small steel mills ship about 1 million tons of steel every year, which amounts to about 150 truckloads every day—you better be ready to buy it in big quantities. For the most part, steel mills only allow you to buy steel by the truckload, which will be the equivalent of about 20 to 24 tons, or 40,000-48,000 pounds of steel.

You will also need to plan ahead, since a steel mill often requires at least four weeks of lead time, and sometimes as long as 10 weeks to fulfill your order. Finally, mills often have only a small range of sizes available, which means you will need to be able to cut the steel to your preferred sizes.

Steel Wholesalers
Most people who aren’t buying steel for commercial construction purposes will instead purchase from a steel wholesalers, like the steel supermarket at Wasatch Steel. These wholesalers often carry a wide range of sizes and shapes to choose from, including some odds and ends that you might never find at a steel mill. In fact, large wholesalers like Wasatch Steel have a product line with several thousand different options available.

Along with a wide range of basic steel, such as sheet metal, beams, pipes, and more, places like Wasatch Steel offer additional services such as balusters for your next staircase project, ornamental steel, and tools that you might need when working with steel. Wasatch Steel also offers customers the opportunity to get any piece of steel cut to your exact specifications, and can often do it while you wait.

Finally, at places like the steel supermarket there are also plenty of opportunities to find special deals. Customers can often find excess prime and used steel in addition to brand new steel, giving you a choice of different price ranges and different aesthetic appeal for whatever your needs. These advantages give you many reasons to consider purchasing from a wholesaler instead of a service center or a steel mill.

Next time you are in the market for steel, consider the benefits that you get when purchasing from a wholesaler like Wasatch Steel. Not only can you find one of the largest selections of different shapes and sizes, you’ll also get top-notch service from the friendly staff at the steel supermarket.

Buying from a Steel Wholesaler Versus a Steel Mill

If you have ever worked with steel, you are probably familiar with the different ways that you can purchase steel—either from a wholesaler, or directly from a steel mill. There are some key differences between purchasing from the two, and it’s important to understand the benefits of each so you can get the steel you need for your next project.

The Need for Steel
Our world today relies on steel as a primary metal for building much of the things that we use every day, from the roads we travel on to the appliances in our homes. It has long been used in commercial construction, and today is increasingly popular for residential construction as well. Millions of companies use steel in their manufacturing processes, and many do-it-yourself enthusiasts enjoy the durability and strength of steel.

Buying from a Steel Mill
There are a few major competitors in the steel market, primarily large steel mills that include Reliance Steel & Aluminum, Ryerson, and Schnitzer Steel Industries in the U.S., China Minmetals, Salzgitter in Germany, and Sojitz in Japan. Buying directly from a steel mill can benefit some companies, especially those that use a high volume of steel in their everyday operations. However, a steel mill will generally only ship in truckloads, which can be 20 to 24 tons, and can require lead order times up to two months or more, plus you will be limited to a very small range of sizes.

Buying from Wasatch Steel
If your business or personal steel needs don’t reach the threshold of ordering 24 tons of steel at a time, or you need something more specialized, the best way to get steel is from the steel supermarket at Wasatch Steel. Almost half of all the steel sold in the U.S. is sold through distributors like Wasatch Steel.

One of the main reasons to purchase from Wasatch Steel is the variety of products available. Depending on your application, you may need steel sheets, rods, plates, bars, tubes, or beams. You may require these items in different sizes, thicknesses, and grades in order to get just the right materials for every project.

Another reason to buy from Wasatch Steel is the level of customer service available. With all of our steel selection available in easy-to-find lengths, widths, and thicknesses, shopping for steel is as easy as shopping for groceries at your local supermarket. Plus we have friendly and knowledgeable employees who can help you get exactly what you’re looking for, even if you’re not quite sure what you need when you arrive. If we don’t have what you need, we can even cut steel to your exact specifications, often while you wait, so you get convenient and fast service and leave with everything you need for your next project.

Finally, Wasatch Steel offers you the ability to buy steel at an affordable price. We search all over the U.S. for the best deals on new, used, and excess prime steel so you can find the perfect pieces, whether they are standard sizes, or odds and ends, for your steel creations. Come find out why buying from Wasatch Steel is better.

6 Ways Steel Builds Our Economy

Steel has become one of the most important materials for building things in our economy, providing what we need to create items both large and small. Since the process to make steel was first discovered in the mid-1800s, it has been refined to create metal that has one of the highest strength-to-weight ratios, and can be utilized in an array of versatile ways. People shop at Wasatch Steel for all types of projects, using steel in some of these six ways to build our economy.

Steel Buildings
Construction companies for both commercial and residential property have been building with steel to create everything from the tallest skyscrapers to the homes in your neighborhood. Since steel has both a high tensile strength (a measure of how much force material can withstand before breaking) and a high yield strength (a measure of how much force a material can withstand before it suffers permanent deformation), it is great for creating large, open spaces like the ones commercial building owners want. It also offers a superior level of fire resistance, which makes it ideal for both commercial and residential buildings.

Steel Transportation
The roads, bridges, and railroads that make up our transportation infrastructure are also largely built using steel. Steel forms the backbone for the support structures built underneath major transportation arteries, such as bridges, freeways, and highways. In addition, most vehicles that we use for transportation are made of steel—including ships, cars and trucks, trains, and airplanes. Plus innovations in steel are making mass transit easier, more efficient, and more environmentally-friendly, reducing friction, improving load capacity and passenger comfort, and reducing noise levels and vibration for trains.

Steel Energy
Efforts to improve renewable energy also benefit from the use of steel. From wind turbines to solar panels, steel is making energy from the sun, wind, and water more affordable and within reach than ever.

Steel Manufacturing
If you are in the manufacturing industry, chances are you use steel on a regular basis. You probably have machines and vehicles that are made of steel, and you may even use it to create your products. At Wasatch Steel, we understand that manufacturers are always looking for reliable, strong materials, which is why we have a huge selection of the best steel available for you to choose from.

Steel Design
Artists are always finding creative ways to express their talents, and steel and metalworking provides yet another opportunity to make something beautiful. With an array of shapes, styles, and finishes available, steel makes a great accent in artwork, or can provide the basis for your designs. At Wasatch Steel, artists often find the perfect pieces they need to create a masterpiece.

Steel Connections
Steel is also a critical material in the manufacturing of pipes that connect our world, transporting things from utility companies to our homes and businesses, and bringing raw materials like oil and natural gas from drilling sites around the U.S. into our communities. The strength of steel makes it ideal for building pipes that will last and can withstand pressure, while the lightweight nature of steel makes it an economical choice to reduce carbon emissions during manufacture and transport to the site. With proper coatings, steel pipes can withstand erosion and last for decades to come with very little maintenance and environmental impact.

Steel holds up structures, takes people and goods from place to place, and creating things that we use in our daily lives. It plays a major role in everything we do, and you can find the steel you need for every project at Wasatch Steel.

4 Questions to Ask When Buying Steel

There is a reason that steel is so often used in our modern world—it is one of the best materials to combine strength and durability with a light weight and economical cost. Today it is used in everything from constructing skyscrapers and homes, to building roads and bridges, in the medical field and food service, home décor, and even in consumer goods and vehicles. If you are thinking about purchasing steel for a project that you are working on, it’s important to know the four things to consider before you make a purchase.

Figure Out the Application
There are so many different kinds of steel out there today that you first need to figure out why you are purchasing it. Obviously the type of product you need from Wasatch Steel is going to depend on how you want to use it. If you are looking for a good surface for a medical application, you will need different steel than if you are planning to build a pipeline. Part of deciding the kind of steel that you need is determining whether you need to have brand new steel, or if you can save some money by using excess prime or used steel.

Determine Strength
Steel is a material with one of the highest strength-to-weight ratios in the world, but it’s important that you first know what exactly you need in terms of the total strength for your project. If you are building a skyscraper, you will need steel that has a higher capability to resist tension than if you are planning to use the steel for decorative purposes. The strength of any steel is often dependent on what other materials are in it, such as nickel, aluminum, chromium, and carbon.

There are three measures to look at:

• Ultimate tensile strength, which is the maximum amount of stress that the steel will be able to withstand before it breaks.
• Yield strength, which is the maximum load that each unit area of the steel will endure before it becomes deformed.
• Elongation, or how much the material can stretch before it fractures (usually measured as a percentage of the original length). 

Material Hardness
If you are using steel in a situation where you want it to retain its original look, hardness can be an important measure to consider. Hardness is how well the steel can resist indentations and scratches, and while the harder materials at Wasatch Steel will tend to be more durable, they may also cost more because they are more difficult to manufacture.

Calculate Costs
Whenever you are shopping, whether it is for steel at the steel supermarket, or for food at the regular supermarket, you are always concerned about the price. Wasatch Steel offers one of the biggest selections in the state, and often has the best prices available. We purchase lots of different types of steel, including brand new, used, and excess prime. Choosing from these options can save you time and money.

The Steel Revolution: How Steel Has Changed Our Lives

The steel industry in America, and throughout the world, has become one of the most important industries that we have, supporting several different aspects of our lives. In the 1800s and 1900s the industry helped America grow into a world economic power. Today it is hard to imagine a world without steel from suppliers like Wasatch Steel, because it has such an impact on everything that we do.

The Rise of Steel
Iron, the metal that makes up the base of steel, has been around for many centuries as a material for transportation, tools, and weapons. In the mid-1800s a British metallurgist Henry Bessemer discovered a process (now called the “Bessemer process”) that uses high-pressure air and heat to convert the iron to steel, removing impurities in the process. Through the next few decades, the process of making steel was refined until it became an easy and inexpensive metal to manufacture. In addition, the strength and light weight of steel make it ideal for several different applications. In America, the abundance of iron ore to turn into steel, and coal to heat the steel furnaces, helped this industry grow, and by the early 1900s America was the top producer of steel worldwide.

Steel in Our Lives Today
American steel production peaked in 1969, when 141 million tons were produced, but the trend of lower labor costs overseas and inexpensive transportation options to bring the steel back to America has pushed production outside of the U.S. However, the need for steel today is higher than it has ever been.

Today, steel is a regular part of many different industries, including:

• Transportation
• Agriculture
• Healthcare
• Food Service
• Energy
• Construction
• Packaging
• Automotive 
• Consumer goods
• Technology

Its strength and durability, along with its relatively inexpensive price, are the most common reasons that people choose steel over other metal options.

Where to Get Steel
One of the most difficult things about buying steel is knowing where to find it. Unless you are a contractor working on multi-million dollar projects on a regular basis, you probably don’t use enough steel to purchase directly from steel mills, where the minimum order might be several thousand tons a year.

Today many people find everyday uses for steel, whether it is to decorate your home with wall décor and accent pieces, or as the spindles in a beautifully ornate railing for your stairs or deck. It can be used in landscaping, or as a functional base for your workplace as flooring, grating, and more. Steel is also the most common building material, used for commercial, industrial, and residential buildings, and for things like roads and bridges.

When you’re looking for the most variety and selection, whether you have a large-scale construction project or just a small-scale do-it-yourself project, the best place to get steel is from a place like Wasatch Steel. This steel supermarket is the place where you can find steel of all shapes and sizes. Wasatch Steel also offers options for purchasing brand new, used, and excess prime steel. The term "excess prime" refers to new steel that has been exposed to the elements and has some oxidation on the surface—the benefit of purchasing this type of steel is that you can get a like-new product at a significantly discounted price.

When you need great selection and great prices, buying steel from the steel supermarket at Wasatch Steel is the best place to go.

Tips for Choosing Quality Steel Suppliers

Steel is one of the most common building materials used in the world today—providing the backbone for everything from landscaping design to tall skyscrapers. If you have never purchased it before, but you need to find a place where you can buy steel, here are some tips for finding good steel suppliers in Utah.

Find Exactly What You Need
With so many different applications for steel, it comes in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, from small ornamental iron pieces that you can use on fences or railings, all the way to massive steel I-beams that are used to build skyscrapers. The key to a good steel supplier is finding one that offers everything you need all in one place—from structural steel, hot rolled steel, piping and tubing, to fencing, roofing and building supplies, and even accessories and tools.

Inspect for Quality
Even though you’re not buying direct from the steel manufacturing plants, you still want high quality. Whether you need brand new steel, or you are planning to buy used or excess prime steel, inspect the products that are available to ensure high quality. Ask about where the steel supplier gets their steel and what quality management or testing it goes through before it hits their shelves.

Comparison Shop for Great Prices
Steel has a fairly standard industry price, but there are some ways that a supplier like Wasatch Steel can offer you a lower price. For example, Wasatch Steel purchases excess prime steel, which is just like new steel but has been exposed to water or other elements that cause some slight oxidation on the surface so it doesn’t look brand new anymore. The quality is still there, but the price is competitive. Be cautious about prices that are so low they seem too good to be true—if that is the case, it’s probably because the product is substandard quality.

Customer Service Matters
Whenever you buy anything, including steel, you want to be able to find the products you need, be treated with respect, and get great service from the supplier. At a place like Wasatch Steel, you can find everything you need for any size steel project, with all shapes and sizes, and everything clearly marked on the shelves; that’s why it’s called Utah’s steel supermarket. Plus everyone in the shop is ready to help, whether you need help finding a specific item, you need something processed and prepared for fabrication (laser or plasma cutting, punching, or bending), or you need help with delivery. As an added bonus, Wasatch Steel can even process the items right after you buy them while you wait, so you won’t have to come to the shop once to buy everything, then come back again later after it’s been processed.

Get it Delivered
The final criteria for a steel supplier is to find one that can deliver the products you need. If you have a large commercial or industrial order that you need delivered to a job site, a place like Wasatch Steel can deliver it externally, or have it ready for pickup whenever you schedule it.

Finding quality steel suppliers in Utah can help you do your job better, or just help you find the items you need for do-it-yourself projects around the house. Check out the steel supermarket at Wasatch Steel to find out how easy buying steel can be.

Steel & Our Modern World

Steel is so engrained in our everyday lives today that we probably don’t ever really stop to think about what kind of world we would live in if we didn’t have it. Steel forms a kind of modern “backbone” for the world today, offering us the ability to do everything from build skyscrapers that are hundreds of stories high to transport goods by rail and road, and even eat prepared foods from clean, sterile surfaces. Without it, we would have a much different world today.

The History of Steel
Metal has been around in many forms for hundreds, even thousands of years—in fact, the first known iron in history was used in the Egyptian pyramids more than 5 centuries ago. Prior to the 1800s, though, it was mainly in the form of wrought iron or cast iron. These two metals, while very strong, were also extremely heavy and impractical for many uses where we implement steel today. In addition, the processes used to make iron back then would be astronomically expensive today.

After thousands of years of using metal forged from blacksmith shops, the mid-1800s brought a new method, introduced by Henry Bessemer of England and William Kelly of Kentucky (while they came up with the idea independent of one another, they began working together about 10 years later in the 1860s). By blowing air through iron, they could refine it and the ability to produce large volumes of steel relatively cheaply revolutionized the modern world.

Building with Steel

Through the late 1800s the demand for steel increased with the building of the transcontinental railway. This new method allowed the railroad companies to get steel at almost one-third the price they had previously paid, and they could get 3 times the volume in the same amount of time. A few decades later, the availability of this cheap, lightweight, strong metal fueled the growth of the automobile industry, when Henry Ford dreamed of making cars that were available and affordable enough for every man to own. It has allowed other visionaries to push the envelope on development, design, and inventions ever since.

Steel for Everyone

While steel is a favorite material for large construction projects, automobile, and bridges, it is also a great option for any kind of smaller or do-it-yourself project. The trouble is that it can be difficult to buy in smaller quantities. In fact, many steel mills require that your minimum order is several thousand tons just to get in the door. For the weekend warrior builder, or someone just looking for unique pieces of steel that will be used in an art project, this kind of requirement doesn’t work.

At Wasatch Steel, we know that buying in bulk isn’t for everyone. That is why we offer the ability to find just about every kind of steel you can image, all in one place, clearly labeled just like a supermarket. You can pick and choose your pieces, order in large or small quantities, and get exactly what you need to finish up that item that has been on your “to do” list for quite a while now.

Because Wasatch Steel offers new, used, and excess prime steel pieces (like-new steel that has been exposed to the elements or shows other signs of wear), you can find just what you need at a price point that will make your wallet happy. Don’t miss out on all the benefits that steel has to offer in this modern world—check out the steel supermarket today to start buying steel.

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.