I recently met the sales rep for an interesting new product (litesteelbeam.com).  It seems to offer some real advantages for long clear spans such as ridge beams.  While it is only made in lengths up to 40 feet the sections can be nested or tied back to back to go even further.  I wanted to find out if anyone has used it yet and if so what they thought of the product.  Their FL product approval number is relatively new (#12987).  The cross-sectional property of their largest section (14" tall, 10-gauge section, Ix=107.7) is about 2.5 times the largest by Dietrich (14" tall, 12-gauge section Ix=43.77).

torben;

metwood works particularly well with sips, the one below is a 14" x  35ft beam carrying a roof that is 40ft. depth. made in Va. and readily available. Beams use Dietrich components welded together andinternally reinforced with welded rebar.

For shorter spans you can simply create box beams by  using "C" stud with track top & bottom

Thanks Chris,

I had not realized metwood used internally welded rebar. That would certainly increase the strength without increasing the beam size, perhaps even more than the Lite Steel Beam. The Lite Steel Beam achieves it strength by double layering the top and bottom flange. I think it is also made in Virginia. I thought I would post about the product in case someone else would find it useful. To my benefit I also found another alternative.