Expert: Ted Barnhill (Principal, Design45 LLC) - 7/6/2009

Question
What is the difference between an I Beam and an H Beam?  How can I tell the difference?  I have 3 beams - I always assumed they were I Beams, and I'd like to sell them - but I need to know what they are.  Also, what is the going rate?  These beams are 15 feet long, 6-8 inches wide, and are probably older than 10 years.

Answer
Joe,

There is no difference between I-beams and H-beams.  Both are informal terms for wide-flange steel beams.  They are normally specified as W-sections, based on their dimensions and weight.  To properly identify them for sale, you will need to know both the heights of the beams (when sitting upright like an "I") and the weight per foot of the beam.  Alternatively, you can deduce the weight from a structural steel chart if you know the sizes and thicknesses of the beam components - flanges and web.  

A good online source for steel (and other metals), with pricing, is discountsteel.com.  To give you an idea, they are selling 15-foot 6-inch beams for $118 to $310, depending on the weight.

I hope this helps.

Ted Barnhill