Building the metal deck cake

By Emma Peterson. 

A metal deck floor is like a cake pan; you want to make sure it is secure so that the concrete — the batter — stays put. Learn more about the different accessories that help you create a masterpiece!  

Metal deck is a popular option for flooring, especially in commercial and industrial buildings, due to its strength and durability. In addition to supporting the structural integrity of the entire enclosure, metal deck allows for lower labor costs because it is quick to install. Floor deck accessories are a crucial part to building a solid and secure metal deck and getting all the benefits of the system. As a part of their Metal Deck 101 series, A.C.T. Metal Deck Supply made an episode that focuses on floor deck accessories.  

The main purpose of these accessories is to stop concrete at the perimeters and openings of the floor, like a cake pan. There are a variety of different types of accessories, including but not limited to: 

• Pour stops and cell closures: In order to keep the concrete secure, perimeters and openings use pour stops which are measured to be the depth of the concrete slab. If you are working with an open end that needs to be capped off, a cell closure that is the depth of the deck is used. In terms of your metal deck cake, these are the sides of the pan! 
• Weld washer: When you are working with lighter gauge form decks, you can use a weld washer to make a more secure weld. This is the frosting on your cake that keeps all your decorations attached! Weld washers are small pieces of steel with holes in the center that are great for fitting into the valleys of metal deck panels. 
• Shear studs: Good for composite decks, these are welded to the steel beams in order to add structural strength. Like when making a multi-tiered cake, you must ensure there’s proper support within it! 
• Button punch: This tool is used on decks with interlocking side lap design to crimp adjacent steel deck sheets together. Like using the right frosting tip to decorate a cake, using the right tool makes all the difference when working with metal deck! The button punch tool makes for easier welding. They are also capable of working on metal decks up to 16-gauge thickness. 

To learn more about the metal deck floor accessories, check out the full video on YouTube. You can also watch it on A.C.T. Metal Deck Supply’s website, both in English and en Español!