If you're planning a construction project — whether it's a new shop building, a residential remodel, or a commercial buildout — chances are you'll need a steel beam somewhere in the mix. But with so many sizes, shapes, and designations, figuring out what to order can feel overwhelming.

This guide breaks down the most common types of structural steel beams, what the sizing numbers actually mean, and how to pick the right beam for your project. And if you need help, our sales team at Ram Steelco is always a phone call away.

Steel Beam Types: What's the Difference?

Not all steel beams are created equal. The shape, flange style, and weight rating all affect how a beam performs under load. Here are the four types you'll encounter most often:

W-Beams (Wide Flange)

W-beams are the most commonly used structural beams in modern construction. They have wide, parallel flanges and a consistent thickness throughout, which gives them excellent load-bearing capacity across longer spans.

Best for: Commercial buildings, warehouse frames, bridge supports, multi-story construction
Size range: W4x13 up to W44x335 — the widest selection of any beam type
Key advantage: Higher load capacity per pound than standard I-beams

If you're working on anything larger than a residential garage, W-beams are likely what your engineer will spec.

S-Beams (Standard / American Standard)

S-beams are the original "I-beam" shape, with tapered flanges that narrow away from the web. They've been around longer than W-beams and are still used in specific applications.

Best for: Lighter structural loads, crane rails, older building renovations where matching existing framing matters
Size range: S3x5.7 up to S24x121
Key advantage: Tapered flanges make them easier to connect to other members in certain configurations

H-Beams (H-Piles / Bearing Piles)

H-beams have flanges that are roughly equal in width to the beam's depth, creating a square "H" profile. They're the heaviest and strongest beam option.

Best for: Foundation piling, underground support, heavy load-bearing columns, retaining walls
Size range: HP8x36 up to HP18x204
Key advantage: Maximum strength for vertical loading and deep foundation work

T-Beams (Structural Tees)

T-beams are made by cutting a W-beam or S-beam in half lengthwise along the web. They're specialty items used in specific structural applications.

Best for: Truss construction, bracing, connection points between larger structural members
Note: Not stocked as commonly — usually cut to order from full beams

How to Read Steel Beam Sizes

Steel beam designations look like code if you've never seen them before, but they're actually simple once you know the system.

Take W8x18 as an example:

W = Wide flange beam type
8 = Approximate depth (height) in inches
18 = Weight per linear foot in pounds

So a W8x18 is a wide flange beam that's roughly 8 inches tall and weighs 18 pounds per foot. A 20-foot length would weigh about 360 pounds total.

The same convention works across all types:

S6x12.5 = Standard beam, 6" deep, 12.5 lbs/ft
HP12x53 = H-pile, 12" deep, 53 lbs/ft

Pro tip: The weight-per-foot number tells you a lot about the beam's capacity. Heavier beams within the same depth have thicker flanges and webs, which means more load-carrying ability.

Common Beam Sizes for Typical Projects

Here's a quick reference for the sizes we see ordered most often at Ram Steelco:

Residential Construction

W6x9 to W8x18 — Basement support beams, load-bearing wall replacements, garage headers
W10x22 to W12x26 — Open floor plan spans, larger residential additions
Typical spans: 10 to 20 feet

Light Commercial / Agricultural

W10x22 to W14x30 — Shop buildings, barn frames, small commercial spaces
W12x26 to W16x40 — Mezzanine supports, equipment platforms
Typical spans: 15 to 30 feet

Heavy Commercial / Industrial

W18x35 to W24x76 — Warehouse framing, multi-story commercial, bridge components
W27x84 and up — Long-span applications, heavy industrial
Typical spans: 25 to 60+ feet

Important: These are general guidelines. Always work with a licensed structural engineer to determine the correct beam size for your specific project. Load calculations depend on span length, tributary area, live and dead loads, and local building codes.

What Steel Grade Do You Need?

Most structural beams are rolled in A992 steel, which is the current standard for W-shapes. It has a minimum yield strength of 50 ksi — strong enough for the vast majority of structural applications.

You might also encounter:

A36 — The classic structural steel grade (36 ksi yield). Still common for channels, angles, and plates. Some S-beams are still available in A36.
A572-50 — Similar strength to A992, sometimes specified interchangeably. Common for plates and other structural shapes.

If your plans call out a specific grade, make sure to mention it when you request a quote. Not sure which grade you need? Check out our guide to steel grades for a deeper dive on A36 vs A572 and when each one makes sense.

5 Tips for Ordering Steel Beams

1. Get Your Plans to Us Early

The sooner we see your cut list or structural drawings, the sooner we can confirm availability and lock in pricing. Steel beam prices can shift with the market, so getting your quote early protects your budget.

2. Know Your Lengths

Beams typically come in standard mill lengths of 20, 40, or 60 feet. If your project needs a specific cut length, our saw cutting service can cut beams to your exact specs — saving you time and eliminating on-site waste.

3. Consider Processing

Need bolt holes, cope cuts, or plate welded to the ends? We can handle many common fabrication tasks in-house through our laser cutting, plasma cutting, and forming services. Getting material processed before delivery means less field work and faster installation.

4. Don't Over-Spec

It's tempting to go bigger "just to be safe," but oversized beams cost more, weigh more, and can create unnecessary complications during installation. Trust your engineer's calculations and order what the project actually requires.

5. Plan for Delivery

Steel beams are heavy — a 40-foot W14x30 weighs 1,200 pounds. Make sure your job site can accept delivery with proper equipment for unloading. We offer next-day delivery across most of Oregon, and our drivers are experienced with job site drop-offs.

Why Order Beams from Ram Steelco?

Local stock — Wide flange and standard beams in common sizes, ready for same or next-day pickup or delivery from our Portland warehouse
Low minimums — Need just one beam for a residential job? No problem. We don't require large minimum orders.
Processing on-site — Saw cutting, shearing, and other processing done in-house so you get exactly what you need
delivery — Next-day service across most of Oregon, including the Willamette Valley and mid-Oregon coast
Expert help — Our team has decades of experience helping contractors and fabricators choose the right material

Since 1938, Ram Steelco has been the go-to steel supplier for Oregon builders. Whether you need a single W8x18 for a basement remodel or a truckload of W24s for a commercial project, we've got you covered.

Ready to Order?

Request a quote online for fast pricing, call us at (503) 588-1311, or stop by our Portland warehouse for same-day pickup.

Ram Steelco is a locally owned steel and metals supplier serving Oregon since 1938. We stock a full inventory of structural beams, channels, angles, plate, and more — with in-house processing services and next-day delivery.