At Commercial Residential Aluminum (CRA), innovation is in our DNA. That’s why we’re proud to offer an exclusive product that is revolutionizing the aluminum industry: the ChannelLock SMB.
After years of engineering refinement and nine U.S. patents, CRA’s ChannelLock SMB (FL#19700) has emerged as the gold standard in strength and performance. This beam isn’t just stronger by design — it’s backed by rigorous testing, patented innovation, and a Florida Product Approval that sets it apart from anything else on the market.
What Is ChannelLock SMB?
The ChannelLock Self-Mating Beam (SMB) is a proprietary aluminum beam system created and patented by CRA. It was engineered to outperform traditional lap beams, commonly used across the industry, which rely on theoretical calculations and assumptions for structural integrity.
When compared side-by-side, the difference is clear: ChannelLock SMB offers a robust, interlocking design that provides unmatched strength and reliability for screen enclosures, pool cages, and aluminum structures.
How Does It Compare?
During independent third-party testing, a critical failure point was discovered in the industry standard SMB. CRA’s ChannelLock beam directly addresses this weakness with a superior structural design that distributes stress more evenly and resists deformation under pressure.
The result? ChannelLock SMB is 40% stronger than the typical industry beam — a difference that could be crucial in Florida’s unpredictable weather.
Florida Product Approval: What It Means
Our ChannelLock SMB is the only beam in its class to carry the Florida Product Approval seal. This designation from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) ensures that the material:
- Has been independently tested and approved
- Meets rigorous standards for alloy composition, hardness, paint adhesion, and thickness
- Is validated annually by a third-party quality assurance entity
This is more than a piece of paper — it’s your assurance that every ChannelLock beam is made to last and built to protect.
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