When constructing a building, you may notice that traditional wooden beams aren’t strong enough for your needs. This is particularly true in large buildings, where columns must be placed further apart than in smaller structures. As a result, it’s important to find a solution to reinforce and strengthen your beams. For most projects, flitch plates will fit the bill perfectly. Learn more about these beam-reinforcing plates in the guide below.

What Are Flitch Plates?

A flitch plate is a piece of steel sandwiched between two wooden beams. This creates three or more layers of alternating wood and steel held together by bolts, known also as a flitch beam.

How Can They Increase Building Strength?

The steel plate and wood beams share the structural load, which means they can typically support more weight than a standard wood-only beam. In fact, they require even less depth than a wood beam of comparable strength. Because of this, they require fewer constructional materials, helping to increase stability while saving money. And when more strength is required for specific buildings, the beam can be tailored to those needs. Simply adding alternating layers of wood and steel can further reinforce the beam.

Because these materials are stronger than simple wood beams and lighter than steel-only beams, they are often used for light building projects. For instance, flitch plates can improve the strength of a house or be used in decks and light commercial buildings.  

 

Flitch plates offer many advantages to construction projects—not the least of which is their strength. When you need a supply of these materials, you can rely on Magna Steel Sales. Based in Beacon Falls, CT, these experts offer a complete structural inventory, providing the supplies necessary for any project. They even offer custom fabrication services to ensure you have everything you need. Give them a call today at (203) 888-0300 to learn more about their services, or visit them online for more information.