Concrete is one of the most common building materials in existence, used in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. It's used so frequently because of its ability to support massive structures so effectively. However, concrete needs to be formed into many different shapes to efficiently support structures, and this is where composite metal decking comes into play.
Many foundations and floors use concrete as a foundation, and a great way to increase strength and longevity is by using a metal frame as its mold.
The metal is shaped into decking with embossments in some of the panels. These catch the concrete and allow it to harden into the pockets, creating a secure bond between the two materials.
This composite metal decking system allows the foundation to increase strength without adding much additional weight. The metal can be produced in 22, 20, 18, and 16 gauge sizes. Gauge measures the thickness of the metal, so larger numbers will be thicker and provide more stability and strength to the composite. Each gauge has a different application, and you may not need the largest gauge metal for your project.
Reach out to a metal decking manufacturer for more information about systems, gauges, and applications for their products.
