Steel fabrication guides for Irish homes and sites
Straight answers to the questions we get asked every week about beams, staircases, railings, gates and cutting, written from our own workshop experience in Dublin and across Leinster.
Steel beams for a house extension in Dublin
What a steel beam for a Dublin house extension involves: engineer drawings, padstones, delivery and lead times from an EN 1090 EXC3 certified workshop.
RSJ or universal beam: what Dublin builders actually mean
The difference between an RSJ, a universal beam and a universal column, and which one your Dublin extension or attic conversion is likely to need.
Structural steel for extensions in Kildare
Beams, columns and frames made in Dublin 22 and delivered across Kildare for extensions and attic conversions. EN 1090 EXC3 certified. Get a price.
Structural steel on Wicklow's sloping sites
Steel frames, posts and beams for Wicklow houses built into a slope. Fabricated in Dublin 22, delivered to Bray, Greystones and across the county.
Structural steel for Meath sheds and agricultural buildings
Portal frames, purlins, gates and repairs for Meath farms and rural businesses. EN 1090 EXC3 certified fabrication, delivered from our Dublin workshop.
Steel for an attic conversion in Dublin
Ridge beams, floor beams and dormer steel for Dublin attic conversions, fabricated to your engineer's design and sized to get up the stairs.
Mezzanine floors for Dublin warehouses and units
Steel mezzanine floors, access stairs and edge protection for Dublin warehouses and industrial units, fabricated under EN 1090 EXC3. Read the guide here.
Padstones and beam bearings explained
Why a steel beam needs a padstone, how bearing length is decided and the common mistakes that hold up building control sign off on Irish homes. Read on.
EN 1090-1 EXC3: what the certification means for your job
What EN 1090 execution class EXC3 certification means, why Irish building control asks for it and what paperwork should come with your fabricated steel.
What drives the cost of a steel beam in Dublin
No two beams cost the same. See what actually sets the price: size, length, connections, finish and delivery, and how to get a firm quote in a day.
What a steel staircase costs in Dublin
What affects the price of a steel staircase in Dublin: stringer type, treads, balustrade, finish and site measurement. Fixed quotes within a day.
Part K stairs: the Irish rules explained
Planning a stairs? Rise, going, headroom and guarding rules from Part K explained simply, with the mistakes that fail inspection. Read before you build.
Spiral or straight: choosing a steel stair for a tight Dublin space
Spiral, straight, quarter turn or switchback: how to choose the right steel stair layout when space is tight in a Dublin house or apartment. Read on.
External steel staircases and fire escapes in Dublin
Galvanised external steel staircases and fire escape stairs for Dublin buildings: design, fixings, drainage, slip resistance and maintenance.
Steel staircases for Kildare homes and businesses
Feature, industrial and external steel staircases made in Dublin 22 and installed across Kildare. Site measured and Part K compliant. Ask us for a quote.
Floating stairs: how they are actually built
What makes a floating or cantilevered steel stair work: spine stringers, hidden tread supports, wall fixings and what your structure has to carry.
Stainless steel handrails for Dublin apartment blocks
Stainless steel handrails and balustrades for Dublin apartment stair cores and communal areas: grades, brackets, compliance and maintenance.
Handrail and guarding heights in Ireland
Stairs, landings, balconies and the 100mm gap rule: the exact handrail and guarding heights for Irish homes and public buildings, and where to measure from.
Handrails and balustrades for Wicklow's coastal properties
Choosing handrail materials and finishes for Wicklow coastal homes: 316 stainless, hot dip galvanising, marine paint systems and realistic maintenance.
Access stairs, platforms and walkways for Dublin plant rooms
Steel access stairs, maintenance platforms, walkways and ladder cages for Dublin industrial sites, fabricated under EN 1090 EXC3 and hot dip galvanised.
Front garden railings in Dublin: what to know before ordering
Choosing front garden railings for a Dublin house: heights, styles that suit period streets, wall fixings, galvanising and realistic lead times.
Glass balustrade or steel railings: choosing for a Dublin home
Compare glass balustrade and steel railings for Dublin balconies, stairs and terraces on cost, views, maintenance, privacy and compliance. Read the guide.
Wall top railings for Dublin's period homes
Replacing or restoring wall top railings on Dublin period houses: matching original patterns, protecting granite cappings and conservation considerations.
Balcony balustrade requirements in Ireland
Heights, loadings, gap rules and fixings for balcony balustrades in Irish homes and apartments, in plain English. Know what passes before you order.
Railings and balustrades across Kildare
Galvanised and powder coated railings, balcony balustrades and boundary railings made in our Dublin 22 workshop and fitted throughout Kildare. Get a quote.
Railings for Meath rural properties
Estate railings, paddock boundaries, yard guarding and entrance railings for rural properties in Meath, hot dip galvanised for a long life outdoors..
Galvanised or painted railings for coastal Dublin
Why hot dip galvanising outlasts paint on coastal Dublin railings, how duplex coating works and what maintenance each option really needs over the years.
Stair core balustrades for Dublin commercial buildings
Balustrade and handrail systems for Dublin office and commercial stair cores: compliance, durability, finishes and fitting around a live building.
Railings for Dublin roof terraces and roof gardens
Balustrade for Dublin roof terraces: wind loading, waterproofing penetrations, fixing details, wind resistant glass and lifting materials to roof level.
Replacing rusted railings: repair or start again?
How to judge whether corroded Dublin railings can be repaired or need replacing, what causes the rust and how to stop it coming back for good.
What driveway gates cost in Dublin
What sets the price of steel driveway gates in Dublin: width, infill, automation, piers, finish and installation. Site surveyed and fixed quoted.
Automated gates in Dublin: what to know before you buy
Motors, safety devices, power supply, access control and maintenance: what to plan for before automating driveway gates at a Dublin property.
Sliding or swinging gates: which suits your entrance
Sliding or swinging driveway gates for your Dublin home? We compare space needed, ground levels, wind, cost and automation so you can pick the right one.
Farm and estate entrance gates in Meath
Heavy duty farm and estate entrance gates for Meath properties: widths for machinery, galvanised finishes, hanging posts and automation options.
Driveway gates for Wicklow's sloping entrances
How to gate a Wicklow entrance that rises or falls: sliding gates, raked leaves, rising hinges, ground clearance and wind exposure, all explained simply.
Steel gates across Kildare
Driveway, pedestrian, farm and commercial steel gates fabricated in Dublin 22 and installed across Kildare. Galvanised, surveyed and automated.
Pedestrian and side gates for Dublin homes
Steel side gates and pedestrian gates for Dublin houses: security, self closing hardware, matching your driveway gates and finishes that last for years.
Cedar clad steel gates: how they work and how they age
Steel framed cedar clad driveway gates in Dublin: why the frame is steel, how cedar weathers, fixing details, wind loading and maintenance. Read the guide.
Gate piers and ground levels: the survey that saves the job
Why gate piers fail, how ground levels affect gate design and what a proper gate survey checks before any steel is cut. Worth a read before ordering.
Automatic gate safety in Ireland: what a compliant install looks like
Photocells, force limitation, safety edges and manual release: the safety features every powered gate installation in Ireland should include..
Plasma cutting in Dublin: what it can and cannot do
How CNC plasma cutting works, the thicknesses and tolerances it suits, the edge quality you can expect and what to send us to get your parts cut in Dublin.
CNC drilling for steel beams and plate
Why CNC drilling beats marking and drilling by hand for structural steel connections, and how it keeps bolt holes lining up on site in Dublin.
Brake press folding: what is possible with your part
Bend radii, flange lengths, material thickness and tolerances: what a CNC brake press can and cannot fold, and how to design parts that work.
Laser or plasma cutting: choosing for your parts
Compare laser and plasma cutting on thickness, edge quality, tolerance, cost and lead time, and find out which one suits your steel parts best..
Base plates, cleats and connections: the small steel that matters
How base plates, cleats, end plates and stiffeners are fabricated for Dublin steelwork, and why the connection details decides how it fits on site.
Bespoke metal fabrication in Dublin: from sketch to finished piece
How a one off metal fabrication project runs in Dublin, from a sketch or photo through drawings, cutting, welding, finishing and installation.
Steel fabrication lead times: what to expect and how to shorten them
Realistic lead times for structural steel, stairs, gates and railings in Dublin, what causes delays and how to get your job into the workshop sooner.
How to read a structural steel drawing
Section sizes, grades, weld symbols, bolt callouts and datums explained, so you can understand the steel drawing for your Irish building project with ease.
Hot dip galvanising explained
How hot dip galvanising protects steel, what it costs in time, why vent holes are needed and how long the coating lasts in Irish conditions.
Paint systems for structural steel in Ireland
Primers, intumescent coatings, powder coating and corrosivity categories: choosing the right protective finish for structural steel in Ireland.
Choosing a steel fabricator in Dublin: ten questions to ask
The questions worth asking before you place a structural steel order in Dublin, covering certification, drawings, lead times, delivery and paperwork.
Steel fabrication in Kildare: a practical guide
What Kildare builders and homeowners need to know about ordering fabricated steel: drawings, certification, delivery from Dublin 22 and lead times.
Steel fabrication in Wicklow: a practical guide
Ordering fabricated steel for a Wicklow project: sloping sites, coastal finishes, access for delivery and the certification your engineer will want.
Steel fabrication in Meath: a practical guide
Agricultural, commercial and domestic steel fabrication for Meath: portal frames, repairs, gates and railings, delivered from our Dublin 22 workshop.
Steel fabrication for south Dublin homes
Extension beams, feature stairs, balustrades and railings for homes in Rathfarnham, Dundrum, Churchtown and across south Dublin, made in our own workshop.
Steel fabrication for north Dublin projects
Structural steel, stairs, gates and railings for north Dublin homes and businesses, including coastal finishes for Clontarf, Howth and Malahide.
Steel delivery and craneage: planning the lift
How steel deliveries and lifts are planned on Dublin sites: access routes, offloading, crane or telehandler choice and what has to be ready on the day.
Do you need permission for steelwork? An Irish overview
When extensions, gates, railings and structural alterations need planning permission or building control notice in Ireland, explained in plain language.
What ISO 9001 means in a steel workshop
What an ISO 9001 quality system actually changes day to day in a steel fabrication workshop, and what it means for the steel you order from us..
Why steel prices move and what it means for your project
What drives steel prices in Ireland, why fabrication quotes have a validity period and how to protect your building budget against price movement. Read on.
Getting an RSJ installed in a Dublin home: what the job involves
What installing an RSJ in a Dublin home actually involves: the engineer, the beam, padstones, propping, delivery and the paperwork building control expects.
How to choose a metalworks in Dublin
What to check before you hand a job to a Dublin metalworks: certification, workshop capability, finishes, lead times and the questions that separate the good ones.
When an opening needs a steel girder
Wide rear openings and corner removals often need a steel girder carrying other beams. What a girder does, how it is supported and what the job involves.
Planning steelwork? Talk to the workshop.
Send us drawings, a sketch or a site photo. We come back with a fixed price and a firm lead time, usually within one working day.