Traditionally, outdoor decking was almost always made entirely from timber. However, a combination of modern building practises and soaring lumber costs have increased the popularity of steel-framed decks. A deck with steel framing may look like a conventional all-wooden deck to the untrained eye, but the hidden steel framing provides exceptional strength and durability without breaking the bank.
If you plan to install a new steel-framed deck on your residential or commercial property, consider having your deck framing custom-made by a metal fabrication service. Here are three reasons why custom fabricated deck framing is superior to 'off-the-shelf' steel deck framing.
Design Flexibility
One of the main advantages of choosing steel framing for your new deck is design flexibility. Because steel framing has more load-bearing strength and rigidity than conventional timber framing, it can be crafted into a wider range of configurations and designs, without undermining the safety of the finished deck.
However, choosing pre-made steel deck framing places hard limits on the dimensions and design of your finished deck, and decks made using these kits will all look basically the same. This is far from ideal if your home or commercial business needs decking for a small or unusually shaped outdoor area, since most pre-made deck framing kits have standardised dimensions.
Steel deck framing that is custom-made by a metal fabrication workshop can be made to the exact design and dimensions you require. Custom fabrication ensures that your steel framed deck will be truly unique, and is particularly useful for commercial businesses that require decking for customer-facing areas.
Quality Assurance
If you choose a mass-produced steel framing kit for your new deck, you have little way of knowing if the deck framing was fabricated to high standards, or if it is made from high-quality steel that can withstand years of exposure to the elements. A steel-framed deck that collapses after a few years of use can be extremely dangerous, and any ensuing legal action can devastate commercial businesses.
Choosing a reputable, locally-based metal fabrication workshop lets you oversee every aspect of the frame fabrication process, ensuring that your new deck framing will stand the test of time. Because custom framing is made to order, it will also be ready to use as soon as it is finished, so it will not suffer corrosion or other damage while it is stored and transported.
Sustainability
Made-to-order steel deck framing is also more sustainable and environmentally friendly than mass-produced deck framing. Fabrication to order minimises energy and material wastage, and choosing a fabrication workshop local to your home or business will minimise emissions and energy use during transportation. Custom fabricated steel deck framing is also easier to recycle since you know exactly what type and grade of steel were used in its construction.
For more information on steel fabrication, contact a professional near you.
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