Maybe you have done a few metal deck jobs and had to attach the sidelaps using a button punch tool. You might have been able to borrow this tool free of charge or you just had to pay to rent the tool. Whatever the case, you are now ready to own your own button punch tool.

If you are a steel fabricator and new to metal deck installation then installing a metal roof deck may seem like a complicated process. In fact, you won't find much help on the internet in terms of how to actually install a metal roof deck.

Have you ever heard the term “metal decking” or “steel decking”, and wondered what it actually means? Maybe you have a set of plans with metal decking specified and you need to learn more about it. We will cover all of the basics in this article.

If you have ever purchased metal, then you’ve been asked to specify the thickness or what gauge needed. If you are purchasing metal deck, then be prepared to be asked this same question. This is because there is a wide range of steel thickness. In general, steel sheet metal can range from 7 gauge to 30 gauge. However, the range of gauges that metal deck is manufactured in is a smaller range.

Have you ever heard the term “form deck” and wondered is this just another word for composite floor deck? Does it mean something different? If you are pouring concrete, then you need something that will support the weight of the concrete. Put simply, a form deck supports the concrete while it cures. There is a bit more that goes into this, but by the time you are done reading this short article you will know all of the basics about form decking.

When a multi story or single story steel building is being designed there are many components that you have to consider. From the frame, walls, roof, floor and so on, the engineer has many factors that need to be accounted for.

At a basic level, it is very easy to bid a metal decking job. All a subcontractor has to do is decide on a price and submit a bid. However, this strategy will not usually result in making a profit. In fact, most of the time this strategy will result in LOSING MONEY.

If you are a subcontractor who has been awarded a project with metal decking for the first time, it may surprise you to know that you the subcontractor are responsible for providing the metal decking shop drawings.

When you find yourself with a project that has a call out for metal roof deck, it is important to know your options. Metal roof deck comes in different profiles and each has different dimensions that affect the panels overall strength. A panel that is stronger will span longer distances, but will also cost more. Depending on how far you need your panel to span, will help determine which panel is right for you.

If this is your first time encountering a job with the Punchlok II tool requirement, you probably have a few questions. You’ve probably already learned where to get the PunchLok II tool, and what the tool used for. But one of the most important questions that you probably have is: how do I operate the PunchLok II tool?