Windposts are designed to suit the construction industry, although other professions may come across them every so often. Windposts come in different shapes and sizes and can be used for different purposes.
But what exactly are the different types of windposts? If you want to learn more about windposts, we’ve got you covered – keep reading for our guide to using windposts.
What Is A Windpost?
A windpost is used to improve the stability of structures. They’re typically constructed using mild steel for stability and durability, but you can find other types of windposts. The steel is supported at the head and foot, located between the floor slab levels.
They’re necessary for the construction industry and are a great alternative to reinforced concrete and steel columns. Windposts are also a cheaper option than columns and reinforced concrete, and take much less time to install and construct.
Windposts provide strength, stability, and structural support where there is lots of cladding, and where there are multiple window apertures found in support of masonry panels.
What Are Windposts Used For?
Windposts in walls are used when conducting masonry walls to increase the strength and lateral stability of the structure and protect your masonry panelling against any horizontal forces such as wind pressure, crowd, or handrail loads.
With cavity walls, you usually fix wind posts in the inner and outer wall leaves. You can achieve this by using specialist wall ties and fixing them in the right places.
Windposts can be installed within the inner leaves of the blockwork, but also inside the wall cavity. When they are installed inside the wall cavity, the blockwork remains undisturbed. It’s hidden inside the structure, so not much effort is required to hide it. To place them in the right place, a structural engineer will make accurate measurements and calculations to find the perfect place.
Types of Windpost
Different types of windposts have slightly different designs and are designed to be installed at different locations around or inside a structure.
C-Types
C-type windposts are used in masonry construction to give lateral support to walls, especially where there are big openings (like windows or doors) or other structural gaps. They help stop lateral deflection and keep masonry walls stable when they’re facing wind loads or other sideways forces.
L-Types
L-types are typically more affordable. They’re designed to be used in locations with heavier wind loading than what a C-type can manage. L-types are also used when the width of the cavity isn’t suitable for a C-type.
L-types are typically connected to the building structure at both the top and bottom, with ties or channels linking it to the masonry, and it’s usually made of galvanised steel for better durability and to resist corrosion.
U-Types
U-types are designed to be installed within the wall cavity, so the inner leaf of the cavity wall remains undisturbed – similar to C-type wind structures. U-type wind posts also span between floor structures.
This method allows for a clean, subtle installation that maintains the wall’s integrity. U-type wind posts span between floor structures, providing strong support on all sides while seamlessly integrating into the building’s foundations. Their design combines strength and adaptability, making them ideal for a variety of applications.
DU-Types
DU-types are essentially the same as U-types in that they leave the inner leaf of the cavity wall undisturbed as they’re fitted within the cavity. They also span between floor structures. However, the DU-type is a heavier-duty variant. This added strength makes them an excellent alternative for tasks that require larger loads or more support.
How Can Windposts Be Finished?
Windposts can be finished in a variety of ways, often tailored to suit the needs of the client. One of the main ways that they can be finished is by being painted with zinc phosphate primer.
Another common way of finishing them is by having them galvanised. Windposts can also be factory finished, or bituminous painted.
Finding The Right Windposts
If you’re looking for quality windposts, look no further than Astra Engineering. We are committed to providing you with the best steel and other metal fabrications. Typically, we use grade s275 in either hot or cold-finished mild steel, but we can make your windposts however you require.
We have plenty of experience manufacturing stainless steel structures, from windposts to much larger structures. We use tried and tested expert techniques when cutting and bending steel, creating all kinds of structures, in all shapes and sizes.
We can also manufacture large-scale structures, such as corporate frame buildings that are ready to be erected. However, we can also manufacture smaller structures, including gates, and other construction equipment.