Industrial & Manufacturing Blog
Sheet metal is an important material in commercial construction and renovations. This material is favored because of its light weight. The property makes it easy to handle during installation and reduces the pressure exerted on the foundation, particularly in comparison to metal plates. Also, sheet metal has numerous applications in buildings such as laminating unattractive structures, building general facades and roofing. If you are planning on using this material in your construction, consider these important factors when choosing the sheet metal.
Particular Metallic Material
Sheet metal is standard metal which has been formed into thin pieces. When shopping for materials for your fabrication and construction purposes, you can choose your preferred type of metal. One of the most popular options is aluminum. Aluminum is highly malleable which makes it a perfect choice for complex building structures. It is also cost effective, durable and resistant to damage from adverse weather. Additionally, you can select between different metal grades, depending on your desired performance properties.
Stainless steel is also an excellent material choice for sheet metal construction. It is stronger than aluminum and has great corrosion resistance. These characteristics are useful when installing the particular metal structures in the outdoors. The only drawback of stainless steel sheets is the relatively high cost of purchase. There are other metallic materials which can be formed into sheets, including titanium, tin, copper and brass. However, they are not appropriate for construction purposes due to their cost and properties.
Sheet Gauge
You should consider the gauge of metal sheets before selecting products for your projects. The gauge refers to the thickness of the flat pieces of formed material. You should note that thinner sheets are lighter, easier to install and highly formable. However, they are more prone to damage in case of unexpected external influence. For example, if a thin façade is subject to mechanical impact, it will tear, necessitating repairs. Thicker sheets are more durable and will not be destroyed by most external conditions. However, they are more expensive and harder to form to desired designs. For this reason, you should choose sheet gauges that balance the detriments and advantages for your application.
Surface Finishing
Finally, you should consider the surface finishing options for your sheet metal structures. You can choose pre-finished sheet metal, or you perform the decorative processes after fabrication and installation of the building features. Prefinished finishes such as galvanization-annealing and pickling and oiling are durable and attractive. However, painting, powder coating or brushing the finished product is often more flexible and inexpensive.
Share24 April 2017
Greetings to all who come here. My name is Brad Hansen and I am an accountant who happens to know an awful lot about wells. My church began charity work in Cambodia over a decade ago and it has installed dozens of wells in villages across the country. Before I started helping in Cambodia, I had no idea about different types of water pumps. Over the years, I have learnt that different pumps are needed depending on terrain and usage. Of course, making sure that pumps are cost effective and easily maintained is important for charity projects. These days, I use my accountancy skills to purchase water pumps and other equipment at the best possible prices. Initially, I honed my understandings through research and talking to experts, so I feel that I have some knowledge to share. I hope readers of this blog find it helpful. Peace to you all.
