Brick Shelf Angle Finish 2

[jike]

What is the industry standard for the surface finish on steel shelf angles supporting brick? Prime paint on carbon steel, galvanizing, stainless steel, other? Should the choice depend on the height and importance of the building?

 

[kvillebasser]

Good question....it really depends upon the architectural client that we deal with. Some of our client prefer the use of galvanized steel, while others like the high build expoxy coatings. Both systems work pretty well.

It should be noted that neither system lasts forever! For some reason, some of our clients feel like because the exposed member is treated in some way, it should never ever corrode, and thats just not the case.

 

[jheidt2543]

I still see an awful lot of lintels installed as prime painted only. For some reason the assumption is made that the exposed edges of the lintel will be painted in the field, which almost never happens and really is very little protection. I think that specifing galvanized or epoxy coated as suggested by kvillebasser is the better way.

 

[Lutfi]

In Florida, I rarely use brick, galvanized is my only option due to the corrosive nature in my area.

Years ago when I sued to practice in VA and WV, I used shelf angles and lintels and they were just primed. They are working well after over 20 years. However, I used galvanized in the coal mines.

 

[Zambo]

In UK very often stainless steel is used for shopping centres, hotels, hospitals etc.

Zambo

 

[CSEllc]

Galvanized angles is the only way to go....(unless your client's can afford stainless).

The problem is not that the underside of the angles will corrode, it's that the surface in contact will corrode. And that face you can not touch-up paint is a few years.

I have done a fair share of masonry inspections in my time and have found that most of the masonry over the lintels are cracked due to "rust-jacking". This is the phenonemon that occurs in which the corrosion of the lintels actually "lifts" the masonry up and cracks the masonry.