There are many reasons why contractors across the country are adopting steel as their deck framing material of choice. Strong, stable and resistant to the damaging effects of weathering, steel deck framing allows contractors to deliver long-lasting and low-maintenance deck structures that exceed their clients’ expectations.  

Another advantage of steel deck framing is the added aesthetic appeal. There’s something intrinsically pleasing about the smooth appearance and geometric lines of steel profiles, which have an industrial look and provides textural contrast against the other deck elements and the surrounding landscaping. To some clients, especially those wanting to maximize the usable space underneath an upper-level deck, the visual appeal of steel deck framing is a major selling point.

But don’t just take our word for it. Some of the industry’s leading deck builders can back us up on this. Here’s what some had to say about leveraging the aesthetic appeal of steel to score high compliments with their clients.  

Steel deck framing lands compliments for its aesthetic appeal

Fortress® Alliance Member Nick Stevens of Legacy Decks & Outdoor Living and Legacy Decks Academy shared, “Most of the time the deck framing gets covered with decking and fascia railings. But with a lasting black powder coating, steel deck framing truly makes a space beautiful from top to bottom.” Stevens goes on to add, “The best compliment I’ve ever received was from a homeowner who told me he was disappointed we were laying decking material on top of his deck’s steel frame. That meant he could no longer look at the framing from the inside of his home and would have to go outside to look at the framing substructure underneath the deck.”

Joining the conversation, Fortress® Alliance Member Scott Kelly of Precision Construction (also referred to in the industry as the “Godfather of Steel”) talked about the appeal of the steel. “Once on a steel framing project, the homeowners told me they wished they could use glass as the decking material instead of anything opaque. They were that impressed with the modern appeal of the steel deck framing system and wished they could see it more.” Kelly added, “The equal compliment to that is how many other deck builders are using images of my steel deck projects as their own— the aesthetics and quality when building with steel is that impressive.”

Echoing both Stevens and Kelly on how many clients appreciate the visual appeal of steel deck framing, Fortress® Alliance Member Michael Scott of Simcoe Decks said, “We typically clad all our framing components such as the beams and the posts with another material to give it a more finished look. But recently on a steel deck framing project, one of our clients came back to us and said they didn’t want to clad it. They just wanted the exposed steel look because it was great as is.”

Comprehensive steel deck framing system offers ultimate peace of mind

The appeal of steel deck framing is hard to miss; so is the value it offers contractors and their clients. For forward-thinking pros like the Fortress® Alliance Members we just heard from, comprehensive framing systems like Evolution from Fortress Building Products support a straightforward deck building process. Because Evolution is finished with a premium powder coating that offers enhanced corrosion and UV resistance, contractors like Stevens, Kelly and Scott can make sure the deck structure they deliver stays beautiful for years to come. For ultimate peace of mind, Fortress Building Products backs its steel deck framing system with a 25-year limited manufacturer warranty—something that wood framing can’t come close to matching. This can help contractors assure their clients that “the project they’ve invested their money in is going to look the same from the day it was installed to 25 years down the road,” concluded Stevens.

Want to learn how to work with steel deck framing from the best in the industry? Participate in Fortress® Master Class (different workshop formats available) and become a Master Evolution Framing Pro. Get more information here.