Metallic carpentry: meaning and typologies

16 March 2023

What is metal carpentry: definition, what it includes, examples, and its importance in construction

Metal carpentry includes all metalworking in the field of building and construction. It involves the production of customized metal structures to meet the specific needs of customers, such as bridges, cranes, stairs, lattice works, and roofing.

Metal carpentry consists of several processing stages, including design, metalworking, welding, surface treatments, and installation. In particular, design is a critical phase in which engineers define the construction details, materials, and processing techniques by technical drawing, with the aim of creating a sturdy and functional structure.

Thanks to its ability to withstand large loads and adverse environmental conditions, metal carpentry can provide durable and reliable solutions for building and structural construction.

Types: heavy and light metal carpentry, and what are the differences

Based on the dimensions and characteristics of the metal used, two types of metal carpentry can be distinguished: light and heavy metal carpentry.

Light metal carpentry refers to small and medium-sized metal structural elements, usually produced in series and assembled on-site. These elements include doors, windows, railings, stairs, roofs, and facades. Light metal carpentry is usually made of materials such as carbon steel, aluminum, stainless steel, and copper. Light metal carpentry can be made in various shapes and sizes and can be used to create aesthetically pleasing and functional structures.
Heavy metal carpentry, on the other hand, refers to large-sized and thick metal structural elements, usually used in large-scale buildings and infrastructure. These elements include beams, pillars, support structures, bridges, and cranes. Heavy metal carpentry is usually made of high-quality steels and special alloys to ensure the strength and durability necessary to support large loads. Heavy metal carpentry often requires the use of specialized machinery and equipment for production and installation.

The main difference between light and heavy metal carpentry lies in the dimensions and characteristics of the metal used. Light metal carpentry is usually made of materials less than 6 millimeters thick and small in size, while heavy metal carpentry requires materials thicker than 6 millimeters and significant dimensions. In addition, heavy metal carpentry usually requires greater precision in processing and installation to ensure the safety and stability of structures.

In conclusion, light and heavy metal carpentry represent two distinct categories of metal structural elements used in the construction of buildings and infrastructure. The choice between them depends on the specific needs of the project, the dimensions and expected load of the structure, as well as the aesthetic and functional characteristics required.

Materials: metal carpentry is created and worked with the metals used.

The process of metal carpentry begins with selecting the appropriate metal for the application specifications. The most commonly used metals in metal carpentry are steel, aluminum, and iron. These metals are chosen for their physical and mechanical properties such as tensile strength, hardness, and toughness.

After selecting the metal, the processing process begins with the production of raw metal. This can be done through forging, molding, rolling, or extrusion. The choice of production method depends on the type of metal, application specifications, and required production quantities.

Once the metal has been processed, it is cut into specific shapes and sizes using laser cutting machines, mechanical saws, or other specialized cutting tools. Precision cutting is essential to ensure that the parts fit perfectly during the assembly phase.

After cutting, the parts are shaped using bending presses, hydraulic pressure machines, and other specialized equipment. Metal bending is an important operation that requires great attention to precision, as the shape of the part affects the strength and durability of the structure.

Buonafede srl owns various machinery useful for processing, including laser cutting, sawing machines and CNC presses.

Finally, the parts are assembled using welding, bonding, or mechanical anchoring techniques. The choice of assembly method depends on the specific application and project needs. Welding is often used in metal carpentry as it ensures metallurgical continuity when the correct materials, techniques, and procedures are used.

The advantages and disadvantages of using metal carpentry

Metal carpentry is a metal processing process used to create structures, components, or objects from materials such as steel, aluminum, or iron. The advantages of using metal carpentry include its high mechanical strength, durability, ability to withstand weather and environmental stresses, design flexibility, and the ability to produce large components.

However, there are also disadvantages to using metal carpentry. Firstly, the production of large components may require expensive and complex equipment and machinery, which can increase production costs. Additionally, the use of heavy materials can result in transportation and installation issues. Furthermore, metal carpentry requires significant experience and expertise in the field of metal design and processing, which can limit access to this type of production for some businesses or professionals. Finally, the use of unsuitable metallic materials can lead to corrosion and oxidation problems over time, which can reduce the lifespan of the structure or component produced.

Metal carpentry companies such as Buonafede srl

Buonafede s.r.l. is a cutting-edge company that has been dedicated to designing and producing customized solutions in the civil, industrial, and cultural heritage sectors for over fifty years. Its attitude towards innovation and staff training, as well as its values, make it a modern and versatile company, always seeking innovative technologies to ensure quality and speed for its customers.

Metal carpentry and Buonafede Srl, what has been achieved in other projects, the advantages of relying on your company. Buonafede Srl has a team of highly qualified and specialized technicians capable of providing customized solutions for the needs of each client. Buonafede Srl has become a reference point in the metal carpentry sector and has gained the trust of numerous clients in Italy and abroad.

There are numerous metal carpentry projects, including: