Whether you’re a private home builder or a construction company in need of a steel supplier, understanding the benefits of steel and its various facets is important for any project. One important application of steel is known as the steel flitch beam, which consists of two beams of lumber and a steel flitch plate. But just what is it, and how can it benefit your project?

Check out the guide below, outlining this useful application of steel:

What Are Flitch Plates?

A steel flitch beam can be used to help strengthen and provide support to any wood-based construction project. It involves sandwiching a plate of steel—known as the flitch plate—between two beams of wood.

Typically, the entire beam consists of these three layers. However, the need for additional support can be met by simply adding alternating layers of flitch plates and wood. Usually, bolts will hold together the layers, attaching the wood to the steel flitch plates.

Why Are They Important?

Flitch plates and their beams are important because they come with many constructional advantages that help to reduce the cost of labor during your build. For instance, they require fewer and lighter materials to supply the same strength. The singular steel plate lends so much additional strength and support to the beam that a single, wooden beam of equal strength would need to be much larger.

Because of this, the flitch beam is easier to carry, requiring less labor in transporting it from the supplier to the construction site. In addition, fewer men are needed to attach the beam to the project. Using these plates can reduce labor costs significantly and require less wood to be used throughout the project. And don’t worry—they can still be attached to the rest of the wooden project as normal.