Steel decks are often valued more than decks made of other materials because they are sturdy, lightweight, and need limited maintenance. Steel decking is appropriate for both roofs and floors, providing a rigid framing and resistance to fires.

Make the search for the right product easy and buy steel and aluminum decking supplies for your construction projects from online distributors. You can easily find the options you need, including:

1. Buy steel deck equipment from a distributor offering everything you need to complete a project: materials and accessories like punches, washers and screws.
2. Find steel deck design appropriate for any roof, whether it's curved, flat or pitched.
3. For projects requiring steel deck materials guaranteed to withstand natural disasters like earthquakes or fires, go to providers of steel decking tested under extreme conditions.

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Look for companies that sell steel deck equipment and supplies

If you're starting a steel deck construction project need to stock up on all the necessary materials, make your search simpler and buy from a company offering all the necessary steel deck equipment. Look for distributors selling not just steel decking but the tools and materials necessary for the job as well.

I recommend: MetalDeck.com sells roofing and flooring materials as well as button punch tools and screws for attaching your decking to wood or metal frames of any thickness. A.C.T. Metal Deck Supply sells screws, fasteners and other accessories, as well as multiple varieties of steel decking.

Look for steel deck materials designed to fit any type of roofing

Steel deck construction on roofs that are curved or pitched can be a challenge compared to flat roofs. However, there are steel decks specifically designed to fit curved surfaces. Find suppliers with products specialized to fit your construction needs.

I recommend: Check out Epic Metals Corporation's line of steel roof and floor decks. Their EPICORE products are designed to fit any type of roof while providing an attractive look. Floline sells curved and straight metal panels and specializes in curved metal decking for the construction industry.

Install an industrial steel deck designed to withstand natural disasters

Steel decks offer an advantage over decks made of other materials because of their strength and durability. Especially if you're building decks in areas prone to high winds, earthquakes, or hurricanes, buy your steel deck equipment from a manufacturer that designs their product to withstand all kinds of natural disasters.

I recommend: Martin Fireproofing Corporation sells Perform-A-Deck, a sturdy roof decking system designed and tested to withstand hurricane force winds. Verco is a manufacturer of roof and floor steel decks. Their PunchLok System produces decks with high shear values for seismic conditions.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  For information about steel decking, check out the Steel Deck Institute, a group formed to keep designers and constructors up to date on steel deck design and provide steel decking information through manuals and handbooks.

The times, they are a changing—especially when making the most of steel decking. This is evident in the construction world where companies are using other materials than wood in their construction. No longer is steel or aluminum decking confined to industrial or commercial construction. Now, builders are implementing steel decking and aluminum decking for bridges as well as decks on houses and more.

Information about steel decking will help you and your company as you pursue making the most of steel decking. Perhaps you will be able to implement these non-corrosive materials in upcoming projects.

1. Explore steel decking.

2. Look into aluminum decking.

3. Implement steel deck framing.

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Use steel decking in construction

Steel decking can be for floors and roofs, and they have the advantage of being strong as well as corrosion resistant. Place steel decking over the joists for the roof or the floor, and you will find you have a platform that will help to keep your building weather-tight. The other benefit of steel decks is that they are easy to install.

I recommend: Slip Not and Steel Dynamics manufacture steel deck materials. Commercial Siding designs steel decking for curved and arched roofs, and can manufacture the steel deck material with acoustical, cellular or cellular/acoustical properties if your company requires them.

Explore aluminum decking

Aluminum is coming into its own, and is being used more and more by the construction industry. Aluminum decking is a useful and corrosive resistant material that lends itself to roof decking, as well as decks for residential housing. It is also the material of choice for a company that specializes in pedestrian bridges. One of the benefits of aluminum decking is its weight, which is lighter than steel.

I recommend: Lock Dry manufacturers both aluminum decking for roofs as well as decks for residential housing. Gator Bridge uses aluminum decking in the construction of its pedestrian bridges.

Explore steel deck construction

Steel deck construction lends itself to industrial construction in that steel decks are strong, can be slip resistant, as well as easily sanitized. Industrial steel decks work well factory applications, as well as any industrial setting. A stainless steel deck also works well in industrial construction. For steel deck designs in residential settings, builders find that the steel decking lasts longer than wood decks and requires less maintenance.

I recommend: Xccent Decking and Duralast Fencing both specialize in steel deck construction.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Should you have questions about steel decking or aluminum decking, or accompanying steel deck equipment, whether an industrial steel deck or a residential one, contact the manufactures for additional ideas for use.

In commercial construction, one will inevitably work with steel, be it steel decking, steel deck framing, the stainless steel deck or even aluminum decking. Steel decks have the unquestionable advantages of not only lasting for a long time, but also for having great strength. Steel deck materials are also easy to clean and sterilize, which is a boon in environments such as clean rooms.

Gone are the days where steel workers perched high atop the rooftops on the bones of the steel structures they were erecting. Now-a-days, steel erectors must undergo rigorous training and complete a certification process before working as a steel erector. The path of steel decking education and training is long, but lucrative. Below you will find information that can help get you started in the process.

1. Get the proper training to work with steel deck construction.

2. Become certified to work with steel decking and construction.

3. Learn and follow OSHA's safety regulations concerning steel deck construction.

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Start with proper training in steel deck construction

The first step in steel decking education and training is getting the proper training. Much of this training is on site at any steel deck construction job. It is also possible to receive steel decking and education through the United Steel Workers, which has apprenticeship programs through their unions throughout the US. There, you will learn how to build a steel deck safely and other steel decking information.

I recommend: National Steel Erectors in Indiana requires their workers to enroll in apprenticeship classes in the Local 22 Apprentice School. The United Steel Workers is nation-wide. Their site offers information about the union and its various locations.

Gain your certification to become eligible to work with steel deck equipment

Becoming AISC Certified (American Institute of Steel Construction) is imperative, in that many positions require this certification when building a steel deck or any kind of steel construction. Because steel construction can be a dangerous profession, safety is the number one concern. In the certification training, you will learn about the certification process, which includes the 'Code of Standard Practice for Steel Buildings and Bridges,', 'Specification for Structural Joints Using ASTM A325 or A490 Bolts' and more.

I recommend: Quality Management Company can help you acquire your AISC certification. It is possible to also directly contact the AISC itself for information about the process.

Learn OSHA's safety regulations when working in steel deck construction

It probably is no surprise that OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administrations) has quite a number of safety regulations regarding steel deck construction. OSHA has provided helpful information for those who wish to go into steel deck construction so they have not only a safe working environment, and a safe final product. Some of the regulations include the 'prohibition of installation of sheer connectors and pour-stop angles to top flange of steel beams prior to decking,' designating the 'entire floor as a controlled decking zone for steel decking work' and more.

I recommend: The OSHA website is an excellent resource for information regarding safety in steel deck construction. Washington State Dept. of Labor and Industries also provides very helpful information in their site as well.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Working in steel deck construction can be very rewarding and lucrative. One thing to consider before entering the field is to carefully research the construction company before joining it. Look for companies that have good reputations and excellent safety records.

Steel decking is very useful for factory floors or in clean rooms. The fact that the decking is made of steel means that it can be cleaned thoroughly and even sterilized. Steel decking is also useful in that it can be designed to custom fit any space you like. The designers of steel decks must carefully follow OSHA standards in their construction. Learn several of the key terms listed below so that you can make the right choice for your needs.

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Plank

The plank is an important part of steel decking. This is the portion upon which you walk. The metal plank can be a grate or have a special tread for traction. Planks may also be solid panels that can be designed to fit the space you need. Planks come in several materials and types including steel, fiberglass, expanded metal or bars.

I recommend: Power Engineering describes the various kinds of planks for steel decking.

Stair treads

Like planks, the stair treads can be grating, made of expanded metal, slotted, or have large or small holes. Stair treads can also come with traction, or raised holes on the tread itself.

I recommend: McNICHOLS has a selection of stair treads for steel decking.

Composite steel

Composite steel decking is cold-formed, acting as permanent decking. This type of decking comes in a variety of finishes including phosphatized, galvanized or painted. Composite decking works well with concrete and is offered in various gauges, ranging from 16 to 22.

I recommend: Review Metal Deck Supply for a wide selection of composite steel decking.

Roof

Roof decking is a type of steel decking made in various gauges and finishes that make them weather resistant. Various configurations of roof decking include rounded or angular corrugations.

I recommend: Check out the kinds of roof decking at the Flexospan website.

Button punch

A button punch tool helps in the construction of the steel decking. The tool crimps the various steel decking pieces together so that they are welded securely.

I recommend: Western States Decking offers button punch specifications on their site.

Steel Deck Institute (SDI)

The Steel Deck Institute (SDI) is an organization established to keep designers up-to-date on practices, uniformity of design, manufacture, quality control and construction practices for cold-formed steel decking.

I recommend: Explore the Steel Deck Institute for information concerning regulations and member companies.