Flitchplates (sometimes mistakenly
called fish plates, or flinch plates)
are steel plates sandwiched between
wooden members to provide
increased strength or stiffness.
Flitchplates are primarily used in
header assemblies when common
framing lumber is not strong enough
or stiff enough to carry the loads. In
such cases, steel beams, laminated
veneer lumber (such as Microlams),
or glue-laminated beams can also be
considered. But in some situations,
flitchplates can offer some advantages
over these materials:
• Because the steel in a flitch beam
is sandwiched between wood
framing lumber, the beam can be
readily connected to other wood
framing with nails and lag screws.
• As headers over multiple doors,
wide sliders, or window assemblies,
flitchplates are pretty much
free of "creep," or the