There are many kinds of buildings for which you might want a metal deck. If you decide you need one, you must attach it securely. There are various ways you might do that.
Before you start Googling steel for sale near me and picking the company from which you’d like to buy your supplies, you should think about how you will attach your metal deck. There are a limited number of ways that you can safely do it, and we will discuss each of them briefly right now.
Use a Punch Button Tool
You might use a punch button tool to attach a metal deck. You may have also heard this tool referred to in the construction industry as a sidelap crimping tool.
The basic idea is that you use the tool to crimp each overlapping deck edge. By crimping them together, you secure them neatly and quickly. This is considerably faster than welding, which is why it’s a popular choice if you’re working on a time-sensitive job.
Use Power-Actuated Fasteners
You might also use power-actuated fasteners to attach a metal deck. When you do, you are using PAFs that look rather like short, stubby nails.
You drive the PAFs into the metal of the deck by using either pneumatic pressure or a power cartridge. The PAF does its work by penetrating directly through the metal deck layer. This fuses the fastener shank to the supports of your steel base.
You only want to try this method if you have the right strength and thickness of metal deck. The wrong strength and thickness make this an unsuitable choice.
Fastening Screws
Perhaps the most simplistic method of attaching a metal deck is by using fastening screws. You can use them to fasten the supporting metal deck along with the metal deck sidelaps.
What is nice about this method is that there are multiple sizes of screws from which you might choose depending on which one will work best for your project. This versatility is key.
You can use a torque-controlled drill for the job. The torque-controlled drill has been specifically designed to ensure proper screw installation. It does so by getting the screws into the metal without stripping them.
Welding
You can also attach a metal deck by welding. This is probably regarded in the trade as the most traditional or tried-and-true method.
If you do this, you create an exceedingly strong attachment between the metal deck panels. When you weld them, you penetrate deep into the supporting joists or beams.
Combine Different Methods
There’s one more method of attaching a metal deck, and that is by using multiple strategies at the same time. When you do so, you virtually guarantee that the deck will be secure.
For instance, you might weld it and also use screws, or you might use screws while also using a punch button tool. This creates somewhat of a redundancy, but if you’re at all worried about the deck’s stability, it’s probably the way to go.
