The Basics of B Deck

There are a wide variety of different metals that we use in our daily lives, but none is more prominent than steel. With so many applications, we find it everywhere from our homes to our cars, our workplaces and buildings, transportation, and more. One of the great things about steel is that it is an economical and lightweight metal that has exceptional strength. For this reason, it is the material of choice for b decking when it comes to roofing, flooring, and more.

The B Deck Basics
B deck, or b decking, is the term for the most common type of metal that is used in structural roofing. When it’s used for construction purposes, it usually comes in shorter spans of just 3 to 10 feet, and gauges of 22, 20, 18, and 16, although it is available for special order in other sizes and gauges.

When people visit the steel supermarket at Wasatch Steel in Utah, they might refer to metal b deck as corrugated metal, with grooves that are 1.5 inches deep, and about 6 inches from trough to trough. While this is the most common type of b decking, it is not the only kind. This type of corrugated metal is available in several different shapes, sizes, and patterns for the ridges and troughs so you can truly pick one that is perfect for your project.

Common Uses & Benefits of B Deck
One of the great things about b decking is that there are so many ways you can implement it in your next professional or do-it-yourself construction project. It is a favorite for uses in metal roofing of all sorts, canopies, awnings, enclosures (such as those for garbage bins or dumpsters), roof screens, metal fencing, and more. In addition, metal b deck is so strong and economical that it has become a favorite material to use when pouring concrete.

The main reason that people use it for so many applications is it unmatched strength—steel has one of the highest strength-to-weight ratios of any metal—plus its light weight, and also very economical and easy to transport. Since it is so lightweight, it is cost-effective to ship to your home or construction site, and can save a significant amount of money on fuel costs, as well as helping to reduce your carbon footprint and offering a “greener” option by saving fuel on transportation.

Another benefit to using metal b deck from Wasatch Steel in Utah is the ability to customize it for any project. It usually comes in either galvanized or prime painted finishes, with the latter offering some additional protection for metal that is going to be exposed to regular levels of atmospheric elements, such as rain, sun, snow, and similar conditions. While it often comes in a pretty standard gray color, it can be painted to match any building or suit any color palate that you have.

This metal material has become a favorite, which is why we stock it in different sizes and lengths at Wasatch Steel in Utah, your steel supermarket. Come by today to check out our current selecting of b decking.

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.