Steelwork Design in London
Where a project needs more than a single beam — a large open-plan ground floor, a wraparound extension, a frame supporting several floors — the steelwork is designed as a complete system. Steelwork design sets out every member, its size, and how the frame transfers load safely down to the foundations.
Scope of work
- Overall steel frame layout for the proposed structure
- Sizing of beams, columns and goalpost frames
- Stability design — how the frame resists lateral loads
- Foundation loads for the foundation design
- General arrangement drawings and member schedules
Typical applications
- Large rear and wraparound extensions
- Open-plan ground floors removing several walls
- Loft conversions needing a steel floor frame
- Garden rooms and outbuildings with steel frames
Our design process
- 1
Initial enquiry
Tell us about your project through the contact form, including any drawings or photographs you already have.
- 2
Review of information
We review the available information — existing drawings, architectural proposals, site measurements and photographs — and confirm what is needed.
- 3
Quotation
We agree the scope and fee with you before any design work begins, so you know exactly what will be provided.
- 4
Design and checking
We carry out the agreed calculations, drawings or specifications, checked against the relevant standards.
- 5
Issue of deliverables
The agreed drawings, calculations or design notes are issued to you electronically, ready for your builder or building control.
Information we will need
- Architectural drawings of the proposals
- Information about the existing structure and foundations
- Photographs of the existing property
- Any constraints on headroom or beam depths
Deliverables
- Steelwork general arrangement drawings
- Member schedule with section sizes
- Calculations for the frame and its members
- Foundation load information
Limitations and approvals
Steelwork design is engineering design work — supply, fabrication and erection of the steel are carried out by specialist contractors. Connection design and foundation design may be separate items depending on the agreed scope. Building control approval is a separate process.
Frequently asked questions
- Can steelwork be designed to minimise visible beams?
- Yes — frames can often be arranged so beams sit within floor or ceiling depths. Early coordination with your architect gives the best result.
- Do you design the foundations for the steel frame?
- Foundation design is usually part of the same commission — the frame design produces the loads the foundations must carry.
- How is the steel installed in a lived-in house?
- Installation is planned by the steelwork contractor, often with temporary supports. The design takes account of practical installation where we know the constraints.
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