Get Steel Deck Framing Done by Professionals, at Discounted Price!

Steel deck framing solution eliminates all the problems of wooden decks and allows to create metal decks, that will serve for many years to come. Structural Beam’s deck builders provide steel deck construction services to homeowners in the Chicago IL area! Call 773-917-8998 today for the best price/quality ratio, great service, and aesthetically pleasing results of your steel deck project!

Wood deck framing or steel deck framing?

What are the advantages of the steel deck framing construction method vs wood deck framing? And what determines the differences? Our expert made the comparison, but the choice is yours.

Wood vs structural steel

The main difference, of course, comes from the difference in the construction materials. And, in this case, the difference is striking.

• The wood frame is subject to dry rot, mold growth, fungal growth, and pests, like rodents, termites, and other insects. Structural steel, like ASTM A500, or ASTM A36, is totally free from all these problems, and thus are superior for outdoor applications, like a steel-framed deck
• Pre-fab steel framing system comes as a complete framing system, pre-manufactured in the metal fabrication workshop, or in the factory, and can be quickly installed. It doesn’t require as much costly on-site labor, as wooden framing does
• Structural stability of the wood frame is often compromised by twisting and warping of wooden members, wherein structural steel members are structurally stable and will stay so for decades to come

• Wood deck framing is prone to sudden structural failure, which can literally happen at any moment because there’s no way to check the structural integrity of the wood frame, and there’s no deformation of the structure prior to the failure. Mild structural steel, that steel frame is made of, is strong yet ductile, so it won’t just suddenly break, and steel’s deformation is a telltale sign that the homeowner’s got to start paying attention
• A wooden deck needs regular maintenance, like painting, which takes some effort and certainly costs money, at least for the paint and brushes. Modern steel deck framing is powder-coated or is clad in 3 to 4 layers of paint, that doesn’t come off like the paint on the wooden deck. Thus, steel deck frame requires virtually zero maintenance

Structural Beam’s deck builders are professional builders, that build sturdy steel decks, using less material, and in a shorter time. How do we do it?  Let’s take a look!

Designing the steel deck framing

Steel deck designing requires professional structural steel designers and engineers, that are familiar with IBC codes, and can design a code-compliant, legal-to-build steel deck frame.

Structural Beam’s metal designers are ready to design a steel deck, according to your budget and specifications, so, if you don’t have the blueprints yet, you can get your steel deck designed by specialists at Structural Beam!

Estimating the costs, detailing the materials

After the blueprints and diagrams are ready, the steel deck framing members need to be manufactured and fabricated, according to shop drawings. To know the materials offtake, the labor costs, the equipment usage costs, etc., we have a team of steel estimators, that will do the deck framing detailing for your project, and come up with the overall cost.

We provide supplies, at a wholesale price tag!

Yes, if you choose Structural Beam as your steel deck framing service provider, you’ll get raw materials supplies for your project at wholesale price, a great way to save money on both transportation and structural steel beams, joists, girders, light-gauge steel, and accessories costs!

In-house manufacturing and fabrication

For the steel beams or HSS to become a steel joist for your metal deck framing, fabrication and manufacturing are needed. Structural Beam’s steel fabrication workshop is fully equipped and is complete to date with the laters developments in the metal fabrication industry. Our fabricators follow the best practices guidelines, and we can guarantee the quality of their work!

Erection of steel deck framing

Our own structural steel erection team will be a part of the whole process, starting from the shop drawings, in order to ensure the feasibility of the project and to develop accurate placement drawings to later base the erection on. Then, all pre-fab steel deck parts are brought to the erection site, and installed according to the placement diagrams.

With many companies working in the pre-fab steel deck framing market today, customers are truly spoiled for a choice of solutions. But basically, it boils down to this:

• Using factory pre-fab steel deck framing components, like Fortress Evolution steel framing system and the like, where there are joists, joist hangers, joist brackets, posts, etc., that has to be carefully selected and then assembled on-site. It’s a popular, even though a somehow choice-limiting option and Structural Beam can do that for you. Fortress steel framing system provides for good and sturdy steel deck framing, that is aesthetically pleasing and structurally sound.
• Going with custom-fabricated steel deck framing, when all the components are custom-manufactured and fabricated according to your specifications. This way you get the most options and are completely in charge of how tall, how wide, how strong your steel deck framing is going to be. Structural Beam excels in custom steel fabrication, see the portfolio of completed steel deck framing jobs.

Whether you decide on going with the Evolution steel deck framing system and the like or choose a fully custom steel deck framing, you can be sure, that Structural Beam will provide you with the best solution, and at a very competitive price tag! Call today at 773-917-8998, and get a free consultation and a free price quote!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is steel deck framing worth it?

Yes, if you are looking to get a deck you can rely on for many years to come, steel deck framing is totally worth it.

Is a steel deck cheaper than wood?

A steel deck of comparable size will cost more than the wooden one to build, even though with the speed price of lumber is growing these days, you’ll only know it when you build it. But, in the long run, a steel deck will prove to be cheaper, than a wooden one, especially in Chicago’s extreme climate.

Can you build a deck with a steel frame?

Yes, Structural Beam can build a deck with a steel frame, call  773-917-8998 today and tell us about your steel deck framing requirements, to start the process!