What are channel bars, and what can be done with them?
- What are channel bars?
- What are channel bars made of?
- How are channel bars used?
- Why do you need channel bars?
- Why choose Regan channel bars?
Steel for construction purposes comes in many shapes and forms. One such form is the channel bar. Among our steel section offerings, the channel bar is easily recognizable by its trademark hard U shape. But it’s more than their shape that makes channel bars essential in a construction project.
At Regan Industrial Sales, Inc., we know our products inside and out. But we also know how they can benefit our clients in their respective industries. Check out this guide to find out what channel bars from RISI are, how they’re used, and where to find them.
What are channel bars?
Channel bars are long pieces of metal in the shape of a letter U or letter C, consisting of a wide, flat strip with flanges on either side that form right angles. They got their name from the channel or pathway in between the two flanges and are also known as heavy-duty purlins.
There are a number of advantages to using them in construction, metalworking, or even sculpting. For starters, channel bars are versatile in their purpose, which we’ll discuss further later in this article. They’re also compatible with materials having various surfaces, like concrete or other metals. Finally, good channel bars are designed to be long-lasting, having to withstand the elements and doing so for years.
What are channel bars made of?
Most often, channel bars are made of rolled steel or iron. The best channel bars are made of galvanized steel.
Galvanizing is a process where steel or iron is coated with zinc to protect it from the harsh conditions it will be subjected to post-construction (like heat, dirt, corrosion, wind and water pressure, and the like) and prevent damage from occurring. For this reason, galvanized steel is best for channel bars, which usually form the support or facade of buildings.
Steel is particularly popular in construction because compared to iron, it has extended durability and formability. Galvanization adds the protection of zinc as well, making it ideal for any kind of project. It’s no wonder most construction materials are made of steel.
How are channel bars used?
We’ve said a lot about construction in the earlier sections, but not enough about what exactly channel bars can do in that industry. In construction, channel bars can serve as sheeting rails, braces, framing members, joists, and vehicle frames, among other things.
Sheeting rails or girts are horizontal structures in a framed wall. They provide lateral support to the wall panel in order to resist wind loads (think of it like a bracket along the edge of a wall panel, which holds the wall up).
Braces are used in bridge structures to stabilize the main girders, distribute load, and provide stability. Joists are support beams in walls, floors, or ceilings that are placed in an equidistant and parallel pattern. As for frames and framing members, a framed structure is one that is made stable by a skeleton.
Besides construction, smaller channel bars can be used for vehicular framing, and different sizes can even be used in sculpting by metalwork artists.
Why do you need channel bars?
Channel bars provide the necessary support to any structure. If you don’t add support to your structural projects, you run the risk of it collapsing, losing shape, or being a danger to the people inside and around it.
Of course, support beams for structures can be made of any material. As we mentioned, galvanized steel and iron are common, but for many places in the Philippines, wood is also popular. Compared to wood, however, galvanized steel channel bars are lighter and less prone to rot and damage from the elements.
Why choose Regan channel bars?
Regan Industrial Sales, Inc. has long been established as one of the most respected steel suppliers in the country. Part of our mission as one of the Top 50 companies in the Philippines is to provide only the best to our customers, so we offer products that are made of superior materials and excellent customer service.
We make sure to improve ourselves consistently, always maximizing the features of our products through technological innovation. While we don’t scrimp on quality, neither do we overcharge our customers. Instead, we ensure that our products are at competitive, rather than overwhelming, prices.
Key Takeaway
Looking for a supplier of galvanized steel parts or construction materials? Consider purchasing your channel bars from Regan Industrial Sales, Inc. You can also browse our steel products in the Philippines to see what else we have to offer!
