Is Type B Metal Deck Right for Florida Industrial Warehouses?
Yes. 1.5" Type B wide rib deck is the standard roof deck for Florida warehouses framed with steel joists. Its 36" coverage lays fast over large roofs. The gauge, from 22 to 16, follows joist spacing and wind uplift, and G90 galvanized suits unconditioned, humid warehouses. We do the takeoff, cut to length and deliver statewide.
Choosing gauge for a warehouse roof
Joist spacing and design loads drive the gauge. Catalog construction spans show the installation limits. The engineer of record sets the final gauge from the load tables and the Florida Building Code wind uplift requirements, which are higher at roof corners and edges.
Warehouse-specific details
- Coating: most warehouses are unconditioned and humid, so G90 is a common choice. Use G60 only where the specification allows.
- Exposed underside: the deck is usually the ceiling. Specify painted or field-finished deck if appearance matters.
- Rooftop equipment: fans, units and skylights need framed openings and support from the structure, not from the deck alone.
- Accessories: sump pans (recessed standard, sloped when specified) and closures come in 10' lengths, only when ordered.
Get it priced
Send the roof plan and joist layout. We will return a takeoff, cutting list and quote.
1.5" Type B roof deck, catalog construction spans (200 lb load on a 1 ft width, ANSI/SDI RD-2017 and SD-2022). Design spans come from the engineer of record.
| Gauge | Thickness (in) | Weight (psf) | Single span | Double or triple span | Cantilever |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | 0.0295 | 1.6 | 8'-03" | 10'-02" | 2'-02" |
| 20 | 0.0358 | 2.0 | 11'-00" | 13'-07" | 2'-09" |
| 18 | 0.0474 | 2.6 | 14'-11" | 18'-05" | 3'-10" |
| 16 | 0.0598 | 3.0 | 19'-03" | 23'-08" | 4'-10" |
Related Questions
Can heavier gauge Type B eliminate joists?
Heavier gauge allows wider joist spacing within the load tables, and the engineer weighs that against joist cost. For spans beyond Type B's range, 3" Type N long span deck is the next step. It covers 24" per sheet in 22 to 16 gauge.
Does Type B work with high-piled storage and sprinklers?
Sprinkler mains and branch lines often hang from the structure. Hangers are attached to joists or deck as the engineer and the sprinkler designer allow. Coordinate hanger loads early. Deck attachment of hangers depends on load and the design documents.