FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

Steel Framing for Decks ?

joewood | Posted in Construction Techniques on December 23, 2004 12:37pm

In October of 2003, we had the worst wildfires in Calif history .. we lost something like 2,400 homes and I think 17 people dead.

 

Anyway, there are some new, strict building codes just coming into play for projects located near Wildfire Zones. For decks and outdoor structures, everything will have to be fireproof. For the actual decking, this will be easy, just use ipe (like I do anyway) but, what are my options for the joists, beams and posts ?

 

I suppose my only options (besides framing everything with ipe) will be to use steel, so, I’m wondering if anyone has any advice for me regarding type of steel (iron?), and what the profiles would be, like I suppose the beams would be I-Beam stock, and tubular steel for the posts. Excuse me, but I don’t know too much about steel.

 

Also, I suppose everything should be powder coated, but are there any other options for rust-proofing ? 

 

Any advice would sure be appreciated !

Reply
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Replies

  1. joewood | Dec 23, 2004 12:45am | #1

    Oh, and, where can I get Span Tables for use when using steel framing ? Is there such a thing, or would I need to consult with an structual Engineer ?

    1. robzan | Dec 23, 2004 05:31am | #2

      Hello Joe
      Along time ago i worked on a mall job. Everything fireproof. We used some black, nasty looking treated wood that was fireproof. I don't know if you can use it outside, or if it would be cost effective. I bet someone else here knows though. I live in CA too, so i will be following this thread closely. RZ

  2. kestrel | Dec 23, 2004 05:41am | #3

    Hi Joe,

    Check with your local steel supplier.  Sometimes they hand out their steel books that give sizes, weights and wall thickness of structural members.  They probably won't have span tables, but they may be able to direct you to someone who can help you.  The structural grade A500 Grade B would be suitable, but also check with your local steel supplier on what they have available.

    My husband formerly operated a welding and steel fabrication business, so for our deck, we will be using square and rectangular tubing for support posts and cross members.  The nice thing about square and rectangular tubing is that it is easy to work with and fabrication is simplified.

    Spacers to lift the wood away from the steel are important to limit corrosion due to retained moisture where wood and steel contact each other.

    Are you going to be building the deck yourself?  The size and height of the project is going dictate several things such as paint/powder coat, sand blast requirement, prefabrication or fab on site, etc.

    If you do use steel, and have any specific questions, we will try to help.  We're not in CA, but our property also has burned in wild fires (once since we have lived here, and apparently several times in the past), so we are also building to try resist fire.

    kestrel

  3. ponytl | Dec 23, 2004 07:25am | #4

    joe i think i'd look at metal building components... ie: c & z perlins you'd want it light enough that you could use self drilling  stainless screws... unless you are on the coast with salt water paint works well on steel... ie: your car & truck... i find equipment enamel from the co-op to be pretty cost effective  .. maybe $15 a gallon max... if you use the stuff from the metal building folks it comes primed.. I use a ton of steel in everything i do standard equipment on all my jobs is a stick welder, a mig welder, cutting torch & plasma cutter...

    pony

  4. caseyr | Dec 23, 2004 09:23am | #5

    I trust you are aware that just because steel doesn't burn doesn't mean that using light gauge framing members (or heavier gauge for that matter) will mean that your deck will be standing after a fire goes through. Steel members will soften so that they can collapse when their temperature reaches something like 700 degrees C. Wood structures can actually be more fire resistant than structures built with steel members. In commercial structures, load bearing steel members are required to be coated or enclosed with fire resistant materials. Wooden posts and beams of (if I remember correctly here -it has been a while) 8 inches square or larger (it may be 6"x8") are often considered fire resistant (if sized correctly) because the outer wood will char to an insulating layer leaving enough wood in the center of the beam to support a load. Various coatings can also be used to increase the fire resistance of wood.

    That said, I am a fan of light gauge steel construction.

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Affordable Scans, Accurate Plans

Hover's smartphone app offers an easier way to get precise 3D scans.

Featured Video

Builder’s Advocate: An Interview With Viewrail

Learn more about affordable, modern floating stairs, from design to manufacturing to installation.

Related Stories

  • Affordable Scans, Accurate Plans
  • FHB Summit 2025 — Design, Build, Business
  • A Summer Retreat Preserved in the Catskill Mountains
  • Fine Homebuilding Issue #332 Online Highlights

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2024
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers
  • Issue 327 - November 2024
    • Repairing Damaged Walls and Ceilings
    • Plumbing Protection
    • Talking Shop

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

Enjoy unlimited access to Fine Homebuilding. Join Now

Already a member? Log in

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data