Channel Steel

Walls
Steel channel is often used to build walls for things like garages, warehouses, workshops, and other metal buildings, where they are used like studs in conventional wood framing. The studs run vertically from the bottom plate of the wall to the top plate, and the bear the vertical load of the building.

Pole Barn Walls
Steel channel can be used in pole barns to form the walls, where it is run horizontally from pole to pole to provide an attachment point for the siding on the exterior, which is often sheet metal. It can also be run along the interior to provide support for drywall or other interior wall finishes.

Roofs
On light-duty roofs, steel channel can be used as rafters, running from the eaves of the roof to the ridge, where they provide support for the roof deck. By using steel channel instead of wood rafters, the rafters can be smaller and lighter, while still supporting the same amount of weight.

Window And Door Frames
Steel channel can be used to create secure frames for windows and doors in both metal and wood-framed buildings. Four pieces are cut with miter joints on each end, and the channel slides over the wall in the window or door opening. This leaves a flat surface in the opening to mount a door or window to, and it is much more secure than frames made from wood.

Wood Beam Supports
When extra strength is needed in a wood-framed building, steel channel can be used to increase the rigidity and strength of wooden beams. Wood beams can be placed inside a large steel channel, providing extra strength, while still allowing easy attachment of joists and other components to the wood beam.

Vehicle Frames
Steel channel is often used to construct the frames of vehicles, and is often specially-formed for that particular function. Heavy-duty steel channel is typically used to create the main frame rails, running from the front of the vehicle to the back. Lighter steel channel can also be used to create cross members, braces or for structural components such as radiator supports.

Trailers
Steel channel is often used for the construction of trailers, including flatbed trailers, box trailers, and even travel trailers and RVs. Heavy-duty steel channel can be used to create the main frame rails and the tongue, where it attaches to the towing vehicle. It can also be used as joists running perpendicularly to the frame rails to build the structure of the floor, as well as for the outer edges of the trailer.

Metal Buildings
Steel channel is often used in conjunction with I-beams and other steel products to build commercial and industrial buildings, such as warehouses. It can act as girts, studs, braces, joists or other structural components where the added strength of an I-beam is not necessary.