Anyone know of a good article on using steel beams in residential construction? I am relatively new to the business but the last 2 projects I have worked on have called for steel beams. I have been looking for a good primer on them but have come up empty. Questions like…How do you order a beam? What are the different types of beams? How do you drill steel? How do you fasten it? Basically a “Steel Beams 101” article?
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In our neck of the woods steel beams must be made by an approved fabricator, and typically come pre-drilled with any necessary holes. The plans will call for the type of welds (if any) and sometimes a welding inspector is needed to check any field welds.
If it is just a beam with threaded studs attached to bold framing lumber onto, then the fabricator does all the work and you just lift it into place. You get into a bit of deeper water if you have to modify it any in the field.