Sheet Metal Fabrication vs. Using Channel

[Adrian Clark]

Originally Posted by TheModMaster8

I would have to disagree with you on this portion as in every building that bares weight or hold things together is either I beam or [, etc. never have I seen a square metal tube used for holding up a floor or a roof or a a building, why? because it's unnecessary weight when an I beam can bare nearly the same load.

False. I beams in this application are used because they are easier to produce than hollow profiles. It has to do with the extrusion process, a hollow tube requires an extra die for the middle section. Even disregarding price, square or rectangular tubing is much stronger. There is more material, and it's on the periphery instead of the middle yielding a much stronger beam.

-Adrian