Why DIY Builders Love SHS Cleats

If you’re building a deck, verandah, carport, pergola, raised floor, or outdoor entertainment area using SHS steel posts, you’ll quickly discover that traditional welded steel connections can be expensive, time-consuming, and difficult to manage.

That’s why more DIY builders and owner-builders across Australia are choosing SHS Cleats. Designed to eliminate the need for factory-welded steel assemblies, SHS Cleats provide a faster, more affordable and more flexible way to connect timber or steel beams to SHS columns.

Whether you’re a professional builder or tackling your own project, SHS Cleats make structural steel connections simple.

Save Money From Day One

One of the biggest reasons DIY builders choose SHS Cleats is the significant cost savings.

Traditional construction often requires:

Factory welding
Expensive fabrication
Transport of large pre-welded steel assemblies
Additional labour
On-site welding

With SHS Cleats, these costs are dramatically reduced.

Instead of paying for welded assemblies, builders simply install the SHS posts, slide the cleats into position, fasten them, and bolt on the beam. Less fabrication means lower project costs and a much faster build.

No Welding Required

Not everyone owns a welder—or wants to hire one.

One of the greatest advantages of SHS Cleats is that most residential applications require no on-site welding. The cleats are designed to be mechanically fastened to SHS steel columns, making installation simple and accessible.

For DIY builders, this means:

No welding experience required
No specialist equipment
No expensive welding contractors
Faster installation

This makes SHS Cleats ideal for owner-builders looking for professional results without specialist skills.

Delivered Directly to Your Site

Convenience matters.

Instead of organising fabricated steel through multiple suppliers, SHS Cleats can be ordered and delivered directly to your building site.

This reduces delays, saves multiple trips to steel fabricators, and allows builders to begin installation as soon as materials arrive.

Install Faster and Finish Sooner

Time is money—even on DIY projects.

SHS Cleats are engineered to reduce installation time dramatically.

Because the cleats slide onto the SHS post and can be adjusted to the correct beam height before fastening, there’s no waiting for perfectly welded steel posts or trying to work around fabrication errors.

The result is:

Faster beam installation
Less measuring
Less rework
Greater accuracy
Reduced labour costs

Many builders report substantial time savings compared with traditional welded connection methods.

Perfect for Non-Skilled Labour

Another major advantage is that SHS Cleats don’t require highly skilled trades to install.

Unlike traditional welded connections, SHS Cleats are designed for straightforward installation using common building tools.

This allows:

DIY builders
Owner-builders
General labourers
Small building teams

to install structural beam connections quickly and confidently.

A Modern Industrial Appearance

Today’s homeowners love modern architectural design.

Exposed steel has become one of the defining features of contemporary homes, pergolas and outdoor entertaining areas.

SHS Cleats complement this look perfectly by creating clean, professional steel connections that look great when left galvanised or painted to match surrounding steelwork.

Many builders choose to paint both the SHS posts and cleats in colours such as Monument, Black, White or Woodland Grey to create a seamless architectural finish.

The result is a strong structural connection that also enhances the overall appearance of the project.

Built to Last

Durability is another reason SHS Cleats have become increasingly popular.

Every SHS Cleat is manufactured using a heavy-duty 500g/m² hot-dip galvanised coating, providing outstanding corrosion resistance for Australian conditions.

This level of galvanising helps protect the steel from rust and weathering, making SHS Cleats suitable for both residential and commercial applications, including outdoor structures.

A Cleat for Almost Every Application

One of the biggest strengths of the SHS Cleats system is its versatility.

Rather than relying on one universal bracket, SHS Cleats are available in numerous configurations to suit different structural requirements.

These include:

This flexibility allows builders to use one integrated connection system across an entire project.

Adjustable On Site

One of the frustrations with factory-welded cleats is that once they’re welded, they’re fixed forever.

If beam heights change on site, adjustments become difficult and costly.

SHS Cleats solve this problem.

The cleats can be positioned exactly where required on the SHS post before fastening, allowing builders to achieve precise beam levels quickly and easily.

This flexibility reduces installation errors while improving overall construction accuracy.

Why DIY Builders Keep Choosing SHS Cleats

When comparing traditional welded steel connections with modern SHS Cleats, the advantages are clear:

Lower overall project costs
No welding required for many applications
Delivered directly to your site
Fast installation
Significant labour savings
Professional industrial appearance
Can be painted to suit any project
Heavy-duty 500g/m² hot-dip galvanised finish
Numerous cleat and baseplate configurations
Suitable for non-skilled installers
Adjustable on site for perfect beam alignment

Build Smarter with SHS Cleats

Whether you’re constructing a deck, verandah, pergola, balcony, raised floor, carport or outdoor entertaining area, SHS Cleats offer a smarter way to build.

By eliminating unnecessary welding, reducing labour, improving installation speed and providing a professional architectural finish, SHS Cleats have become one of Australia’s most practical steel connection systems for DIY builders and professional contractors alike.

If you’re looking for a faster, stronger and more cost-effective way to connect timber or steel beams to SHS columns, SHS Cleats provide the flexibility, durability and ease of installation that modern construction demands.