GUIDES
Steel guides
& straight answers
Costs, standards and how steel projects actually work, written by the workshop that fabricates them.
CE Marking & UKCA for Structural Steelwork (UK Guide)
A plain-English guide to what CE marking and UKCA actually mean for structural steelwork, why BS EN 1090 sits behind them, and how execution classes are decided.
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CostHow Much Does a Steel Staircase Cost in the UK?
There is no single price for a steel staircase: the cost is driven by the design, so this guide explains what actually moves the number and how to get a firm figure for your project.
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CostHow Much Does It Cost to Install an RSJ? (UK 2026 Guide)
The honest answer is that an RSJ price depends on the beam your structural engineer specifies and the work needed to fit it, so here is what actually moves the number.
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CostSteel Frame Building Cost per m² (UK Guide)
A plain-English guide to why steel frame buildings are costed per m2, what pushes that figure up or down, and how a bare frame differs from a full design-and-build.
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CostMezzanine Floor Costs: A UK Guide
Mezzanine floor cost is driven by floor area, the loading rating set by the structural calculation, the number of levels, decking, access and the compliance extras, so the only accurate figure is a quote against your drawings.
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TechnicalWhat Is Steel Fabrication? (And What a Fabricator Does)
A plain-English guide to what steel fabrication is, what a steel fabricator actually does, how it differs from structural steelwork, and what to look for when you choose one.
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TechnicalUniversal Beam Sizes Explained (UK Section Guide)
UK structural beams are sized by a national system of serial sections, and the right one for your job comes from a structural engineer's calculation, not a chart, so here is how the naming actually works.
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CostSteel Framed Equestrian Building Costs: A UK Guide
The cost of a steel framed equestrian building is driven by the building type and size, the clear span and eaves height, the number of stables or bays, the cladding and roofing, the internal fit-out and the groundworks, so the only accurate figure is a quote against your plans.
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PlanningSteel Building Planning Permission (UK Guide)
A plain-English guide to whether your steel building needs planning permission, plus how foundations are designed and how long a steel frame really lasts.
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TechnicalSteel Framed Extensions: A Homeowner's Guide
Most extensions use steel in two ways: beams to carry loads over openings, and a steel frame where masonry cannot span a large opening or wrap-around, and here is how each works.
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TechnicalBarn Conversions: Structural Steel Frames
A clear guide to how structural steel frames and beams carry a barn conversion: replacing failing structure, opening up spaces and supporting new floors and roofs without losing the original character.
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TechnicalStructural Steel Grades: S275 vs S355 Explained
S275 and S355 are the two structural steel grades you will see most often on UK drawings, and the number is simply the minimum yield strength in N/mm2, so here is what that means for your project.
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TechnicalHot Rolled vs Cold Rolled Steel: Differences Explained
Hot rolled and cold rolled steel are the same metal processed at different temperatures, and the choice changes the finish, tolerance, strength, cost and the jobs each one suits.
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TechnicalHow Long Does a Structural Steel Project Take?
A plain-English walk through the stages of a structural steel project, from first enquiry to the final bolt, and the real factors that decide how long it takes.
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PlanningAgricultural Building Permitted Development Rights Explained
A plain-English overview of permitted development rights for agricultural buildings, why they come with strict conditions, and why you should always confirm with your Local Planning Authority before you build.
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TechnicalMezzanine Floor Building Regulations: A UK Guide
An industrial or commercial mezzanine is a new floor level, so it usually needs Building Regulations approval covering fire protection, structural loading and a protected means of escape, with the exact requirements set by Building Control for your building.
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TechnicalRSJ vs Steel Beam vs Lintel: What's the Difference?
RSJ, steel beam and lintel are often used as if they mean the same thing, but they describe different members for different jobs, so here is what each one actually is and when you need it.
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