For buildings where aesthetics and acoustical control are critical, cellular deck is often the deck of choice. At its core, the story of cellular roof and floor deck is structural. The clean appearance across the smooth underside of cellular deck is another important benefit. Fire rating requirements can necessarily influence deck selection. In floor design, concrete coverage can achieve unprotected UL Rated Assemblies. Vibration control is also a consideration on deck-slab design, criteria that is critical in the evaluation process.
Cellular deck consists of fluted steel deck (hat) combined with a secured flat steel plate (or liner panel). The liner can either be welded or riveted to the hat, creating an enclosed cavity or “cell” between the two layers. Traditionally, liner panels are welded to the deck hat. However, with the use of rivets to secure the liner panel, refined finish aesthetics are made possible.
Beyond structural support and aesthetics, the cellular configuration enhances the deck’s versatility. The enclosed cells can potentially serve as effective pathways for electrical wiring, data cables, and other utilities. This requires access panels and thorough coordination between designer and deck manufacturer.
Cellular steel deck is commonly used where a combination of structural performance and a flat appearance on the underside of steel deck is desired.
Photo credit: Liza G Photography
Educational buildings, hospitals, healthcare facilities, and data centers are examples of applications that have cellular deck integrated into the structural design.
For projects with heavy pedestrian traffic or highly-sensitive equipment, cellular deck readily accepts the challenge. Exposed structural systems eliminate extraneous materials, creating a design with greater durability. Applications may favor ceilings, or exterior soffit conditions can be flat for easier maintenance. Acoustical liner panels are ideal for areas demanding sound absorption and can transition to non-perforated for areas where sound absorption is not needed.
Finish systems range from clear coats to primers to high-performance coatings. Liner panels can accept a range of factory finishes: color-matching, anti-microbial, and high light-reflectance value. Dedicated to aggressive environments, high-performance coatings are specific to salt-spray environments or indoor aquatic centers with high humidity.
Riveted cellular deck is made by mechanically fastened rivets at pre-set intervals. This provides connections with quality-controlled consistency, addressing aesthetics and structure simultaneously.
The consistently smooth appearance of rivets securing the liner panel to the top hat provides a refined aesthetic for architecturally exposed ceiling applications.
New Millennium offers a range of riveted cellular deck profiles for roof and floor applications with corresponding acoustic variations.
All riveted cellular roof deck profiles listed here are available in galvanized, primer, and factory finishes. Inquire to see which factory-applied options are available for your project. Cellular deck is also able to receive the range of field-applied topcoats. Cellular acoustical deck features perforations in the liner panel, eliciting noise reduction coefficients (NRC Ratings) in a structural product that exceeds suspended ceiling systems.
Cellular steel deck is a high-performance solution, meeting structural capacity requirements with the ability to activate the deck cavity into a horizontal chase. Its clean appearance, versatility, and contribution to modern building systems make it an excellent choice for a variety of commercial and institutional applications. When planned and installed properly, cellular deck enhances construction efficiency and contributes to the long-term performance and aesthetics of the building.
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