What Exactly Is A Steel Flitch Plate?

A flitch plate, also known as a steel flitch plate is sandwiched between two wooden beams to increase the beam's strength. A finest steel flitch plate can be used to reinforce existing beams as well as to add significant strength to new beams. 

Fabrication :: Steel Flitch Beams :: 150 X 8 Flitch Plate with 14mm Holes @ 450 Centres on the centre line.

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The steel flitch plate system, however, has largely become obsolete with the introduction of new composite lumbers that are equally as strong. These systems can be labor-intensive to build because they must be bolted together and cut to the proper length before or on the job site.

A flitch beam is formed when a flitch plate is joined to two studs. Because it combines more than one material to form one unit, it is classified as a composite construction material. To construct such a beam, both the studs and the plate must be cut to the proper length. 

This can increase the amount of labor required to install the beams, which raises the cost of any project. The flitch plate can be pre-cut to length for installation on the job site, but in some cases, it may need to be cut on the job site, which can be time-consuming and expensive. Because of these constraints, flitch beams have given way to composite studs made of wood fibers and glues that increase strength while decreasing cost.

However, a steel flitch plate beam system has several advantages over a standard wooden beam. Because a flitch beam of the same length as a regular wooden beam is much stronger, it does not need to be as deep. These beams simplify renovations because they can be made from existing beams rather than requiring the old beam to be removed and completely replaced. They are lighter than full steel beams and more adaptable in terms of installation.