Metal Supermarkets Atlanta

LinkedIn | Friday, July 3, 2026

Rectangular hollow sections: the engineering and sourcing considerations that matter most when specifying RHS for structural and fabrication applications

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Rectangular hollow sections (RHS) are a structural staple in fabrication, construction, and mechanical design — but the selection criteria that determine which RHS is right for a given application often don't get as much attention as they deserve. Wall thickness, dimensional tolerance class, grade, and load orientation all factor into the decision, and getting them wrong has real consequences for structural performance and weld quality.

Our blog team put together a practical guide to RHS sizing and selection that's worth reading for procurement professionals, engineers, and fabricators who specify hollow structural sections. The guide covers standard dimensions, grade options, when to use RHS versus square hollow section (SHS), and how to match dimensional specifications to application requirements. Link in the comments.

At our Marietta location, we stock rectangular tubing in both steel and aluminum, cut to your required length with no minimum order. That flexibility is particularly useful for prototype fabrication, specialty runs, and jobs where exact length matters.

What's the most common error you've seen in RHS specification on projects — wall thickness underestimation, grade mismatches, or something else? #MetalIndustry #Manufacturing #StructuralSteel #Fabrication


Image / Media Suggestion

End-view of racked rectangular tubing showing the hollow profile. Clean, organized inventory shot from the Marietta shop. Authentic preferred.

Canva text suggestion: "Rectangular Hollow Sections: Sizes, Uses, and Selection Guide" or "RHS In Stock — Steel & Aluminum, Cut to Length, No Minimum"


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