One of the first and most important steps of building a home, once you’ve installed the foundation, is the framing. The support beams need to be affordable and strong enough to support tons of additional materials, like roofing and siding, but not so heavy as to cause architectural problems. One of the most enduring solutions to this issue has been the use of flitch beams, which combine wood with steel for extra strength.

For almost a century, flitch beams have been used in wood frame construction (e.g. houses and decks). They consist of two wood beams on either side of a steel flitch plate, held together by bolts. For even more strength, some beams have additional layers of wood and steel.

Why Use Flitch Beams in Construction?

Why does this hybrid material approach work? Unlike ordinary wood beams, flitch beams are stronger, don’t sag, and require less depth than wood beams of the same strength. They’re also lighter than steel by itself and more versatile, since they can be nailed or screwed to other pieces of wood. If your next construction project involves building a deck or a home addition, and you already have the timber required, Magna Steel Sales in Beacon Falls, CT, will custom fabricate the steel plates you need to reinforce it. Incorporating flitch plates into your construction plans is an affordable way to make the most of your timber.

For sturdy flitch beams that don’t break the bank, get your steel from Magna Steel Sales, one of the most trusted steel providers in the New Haven and Westchester County areas. For questions, give them a call at (203) 888-0300. More information about their selection of steel products and custom fabrication services can be found on their website.