The United States Interstate system has nearly 49,000 miles of highways, and that is just the interstate system. The U.S. numbered highway network, which is maintained primarily by state and local governments, has an additional 157,000+ miles. Providing protection for drivers along more than 200,000 miles of highway is a daunting task that is primarily handled by guardrails, which are designed to keep vehicles running inside the roadway. These guardrails can effectively decelerate speed of errant vehicles and control their exit angles to keep them on the roadway. To do this they need to be constructed of durable guardrail components.
At IMH Products we have decades of experience in producing highway guardrail components that meet both state and federal requirements for public roads. We make these components with the highest quality materials for safety and security along roadways.
Types of Highway Guardrail Components
Highway guardrails are not one-size-fits-all. There are four general types of guardrails:
Cable and Wood Posts – These are often seen in highway medians and are designed to prevent errant vehicles from passing into the opposite direction of travel.
Steel and Wood/Metal Posts – These are stronger guardrails and they are often steels barriers held up by wooden or metal posts sunk into the ground. Traditionally they use W beam or Thrie Beam steel and are the most common.
Steel Box-Beam – These types of guardrails are made entirely of metal and are often used on bridges.
Concrete Barriers – This is the strongest, but most expensive type of guardrail and it is often used in construction zones and high traffic areas.
IMH Products is a leading supplier of W-Beam and Thrie Beam guardrails and the accessories needed to install them. This type of guardrail is the most common because it provides a safe, durable solution with a lower cost for production. Typically, a highway guardrail costs about $20 per meter. This can vary depending on the thickness of the rail plate and if the metal is galvanized or powder-coated.
The difference between a W-Beam and A Thrie Beam is the shape. A W-beam guardrail is shaped out of steel coil and rolled into the shape of a W. It is also galvanized in order to prevent corrosion. A Thrie beam guardrail is similar in structure, but it is a three-wave cross design instead of two like in a W-beam. This provides an added degree of strength to the product and is often used in transitional areas like bridge approaches. Both are usually made of 10-gauge or 12-gauge steel.
A Leading Supplier of Guardrail Components
At IMH Products we promote a customer-first approach when it comes to developing our guardrail components. We have decades of experience in manufacturing these components. Our production capabilities allow us to mass produce both W-beam and Thrie beam guardrail components on a large scale. We test and design our components to adhere to strict state and federal requirements. We even keep some components in stock for speedier turnaround times and offer competitive pricing for cost effective solutions.
To work with us as a provider of guardrail components contact us at sales@imh.com.