Best gusset material for post & beam construction

  I'm building a covered deck off my upstairs bedroom. The design will use 4x6
posts and a 4x10 beam for the base support and 4x4 posts and a 4X8 beam for
the roof. According to the carpenter, I need gussets to tie the posts to the
beams. Since the gussets will show, I'd like the to be as decorative as
possible. Two questions:

What is the best metal to use for gussets (something non-corrosive, with
adequate flexibility but high yield strength)?

Can you recommend any companies that sell decorative metal works made from
this material?

Tim Robinson

 On May 20, 12:07 pm, "Ted \(not really ted\) Perkins"

I would use steel connectors from simpson strong tie (http://
www.strongtie.com/) and figure out a way to disguise them.
Alternatively, you could have a metal fabrication shop make some for
you which could be somewhat decorative.  Haven't seen decorative ones
you can buy off of the shelf.  It may be too late now, but seems like
this issue could have been addressed during the design of the
project.  For example, if you increased your post size to 6x6, you
could let in the header which generally looks better.  Good luck.

  Ted (not really ted) Perkins wrote:

For my log house, I designed and had fabricated 1/4" steel glulam
hangares and gusset plates.  I then had them powder coated black and
they look sharp.  You could use SS, but that is expensive.  Galvanized
is much cheaper, but looks cheap also.  I'd use steel and have it powder
coated.  It'll likely outlast the wood to which it is attached.

Matt

 Ted (not really ted) Perkins wrote:

Here is one type that is more funtional than decorative:

http://www.strongtie.com/products/connectors/HL_APG.html

Simpson has some other types of post to beam connectors that I
have used that are pretty rustic looking.

I fabricate my own gusset plates with 1/4" steel and then have
them powdercoated.  You can get any design you want that way.

--
Robert Allison    
Rimshot, Inc.
Georgetown, TX

 
Half cut the corners.   Both the beams and the posts.  Use galvanized 3/8" X
6" lag bolts with washers.  Predrill the hole into the material that takes
the threads for securing.  Use a countersink hole to make head of bolt flush
with surface.  Countersink hole will be just 1/8" than the washer.  3 for
the X8 beam, 4 for the X10 beam where the post attaches.  Beam and post must
be temporarily secured square etc during the drilling and bolting process.

The carpenter probably said "gusset brace", or "gusset plate".  Plain old
"gusset" means something else entirely.
Dave