Despite the slowdown – and virtual standstill – in housebuilding, metal web systems continue to grow in popularity, with more existing truss and timber frame manufacturers becoming metal web manufacturers, expanding their product base and increasing sales opportunities for each enquiry.
“Although volumes have dropped in 2009 for all construction sectors, metal web and easi-joist production in particular has increased, comparatively speaking,” said Karl Foster, sales and marketing director for Wolf Systems. “We now have more metal web manufacturers than this time last year, and more individual manufacturers than any other metal web system.”
Paul Baron, managing director of Gang-Nail Systems, which markets the Ecojoist, said builders are returning to their preferred joist type and, coupled with the increased use of mechanical ventilation and heat recovery (MVHR) systems, he expects open web joists will regain and increase their market share. “The main benefit of open web joists is access through the floor,” he said. “This is becoming an increasing necessity as MVHR systems gain in popularity.”
Alan Ritchie, timber engineering director at AV Birch, agrees. The company has developed its Uni-Roll Open Web Beam Roller in response to the growing demand for open web systems. The machine’s ‘one touch’ remote-controlled, dual-direction roller carriage is designed to embed webs and plates quickly and precisely, giving very fast and efficient cycle times. The Uni-Roll also has a variety of clamping and storage options to further increase productivity levels. “The Uni-Roll will give manufacturers a real edge in productivity and cost savings in an increasingly competitive market,” said Mr Ritchie.
Open web joists are also increasingly being used in a number of applications in addition to floor joists. Examples include as the bottom chord of attic roof trusses, pitched and flat roof applications and as purlins for steel or glulam trusses.
Karl Foster agrees. “Metal web is now regularly specified for roof construction (both flat and pitched) and is also being used as open web studs in timber frame panels to accommodate increased levels of insulation,” he said. “Metal webs used for the construction of pitched roofs is certainly an area that we expect to see develop strongly in the next few years.”
Roy Troman, managing director of MiTek, which produces the metal web Posi-Strut used in the production of Posi-Joist, said the product continues to gain market share despite the overall downturn in business. This he puts down to speed of installation, stability and the fact that it can be incorporated into cassette floors. “In the past, notches and holes would have been drilled to make room for pipes,” he said. “Nowadays, architects have a choice – if they don’t want the en suite to back onto the bathroom, they don’t have to. If they want to link to a soil pipe 10ft away they can: there’s enough space to put a 2in pipe through the floor and link up that way. It is a massive advantage.”
