Metal Decking
Back to Main

Blog

Metal Deck Blog

Are you a steel fabricator, general contractor, or engineer looking to learn about metal decking? Learn about roof deck, floor deck, Punchlok. Read our metal deck blog.

Blog Feature

Metal Deck | PunchLok II

By: Kathy Midence
January 12th, 2021

If you purchase metal decking then you have likely heard of Verco Decking or Vulcraft, or possibly even both. Did you know they are both divisions of Nucor? Whichever decking manufacturer you are more familiar with will largely depend on where you are located within the United States. This is because Verco Decking and Vulcraft are split into different territories. Meaning, if you need Vulcraft decking but your job is located in Verco territory, you will need to get Verco decking accepted as a substitute. Vulcraft will not sell decking in Verco territory and vice versa.

Blog Feature

Metal Deck | PunchLok II

By: Paul Rubio
October 8th, 2020

Do you have a job that has PLB-36 metal decking specified and you need to learn more about it? You’ve probably installed B decking in the past, but have never purchased PLB-36. PLB-36 is a relatively new product when compared to the typical type of B deck.

Blog Feature

Metal Deck | PunchLok II

By: Kathy Midence
September 11th, 2020

When you install metal decking you are likely to come across a few different methods to attach the sidelaps. In the past, there were three main methods: button punch, stitch screwing, and seam welding. There are reasons you’d want to use each method, but when it came to a seam weld the main reason was the superior overall strength values it offered.

Blog Feature

Metal Deck | PunchLok II | Button Punch

By: Paul Rubio
July 17th, 2020

If you have a metal deck job specified on your plans, you will need a tool to connect the side lap. You have two primary options for side lap connections: button punch or Punchlok II. It’s common to have questions about which sidelap connection is right for you.

Blog Feature

How to | Metal Deck | PunchLok II

By: Robert Rubio
March 19th, 2020

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?

Blog Feature

Metal Deck | PunchLok II

By: Robert Rubio
February 19th, 2020

If you have Punchlok metal deck specified on your job, you might be wondering what it is. If you already know what it is, then you probably want to know how to get your hands on a Punchlok tool. Western Metal Deck is here to help. We have been supplying Punchlok Metal Decking and the tool since the first Punchlok system was introduced over a decade ago.

Blog Feature

Metal Deck | PunchLok II | Button Punch | Sidelaps

By: Kathy Midence
January 22nd, 2020

So you have metal decking spec’d on the plans for your project. You are tasked with installing it. Did you know that there are different ways to connect the sidelaps? Also, the name of the panel often (not always) indicates how the sidelaps are connected.

Blog Feature

Metal Deck | PunchLok II | Button Punch

By: Paul Rubio
January 14th, 2020

Size matters when deciding which metal deck system is best. It’s important to consider the size of your job when determining which metal deck system is best for you to use.

Blog Feature

Metal Deck | PunchLok II

By: Paul Rubio
December 12th, 2019

How would you like to save a ton of time and money on your next metal roof deck project? Punchlok II has the ability to eliminate top seam welds and allows for the use of a lighter gauge steel in many instances. However, it is not right for all applications. In this guide we will explain the Punchlok II system and the VSC2 side lap connection. We will specifically talk about whether it is correct for a roof deck or a floor deck application.

Blog Feature

Metal Deck | PunchLok II | Button Punch

By: Paul Rubio
December 6th, 2019

An installation cannot be done correctly without the right tools. When it comes to metal decking, two of the tools most often used are either a Button Punch or a Punchlok II/VSC2 for side lap connection.