Opening up with steel
A rolled steel joist, often called an RSJ, or a modern steel beam such as a universal beam, takes the load from a wall, floor or roof that you want to remove or open up. It is the usual way to knock two rooms into one, widen an opening or create a large span for an extension.
Why you cannot guess the size
The size of a beam depends on what it carries, the span, the bearings and the condition of the walls on which it sits. Getting it wrong risks sagging, cracking or failure. That is why a structural engineer calculates the beam size and specifies how it is to be supported. We build to the engineer's design and do not substitute sizes on site.
What the work involves
- Agreeing the design with the engineer and confirming what is above and below
- Installing temporary supports such as props and needles to carry the load
- Removing the masonry in a controlled way
- Setting padstones or spreader plates under the beam ends
- Positioning and levelling the beam, then packing and bedding it
- Making good, and fire protecting the steel where required
Typical local situations
In Victorian and Edwardian terraces across Newcastle, a common request is to open the wall between a front room and a dining room, or to remove a rear kitchen wall. In Tyneside flats, loads from the flat above need careful consideration. Chimney breasts and brick-built flues sometimes sit above a wall that is to be removed, which needs extra support. Solid brick walls and old lime mortar behave differently from modern blockwork, and we take that into account.
Approvals and neighbours
Installing a structural beam normally needs Building Regulations approval, and a building control inspector will usually check the work, including the bearings. If the wall is shared with a neighbour, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 may apply. Information is on GOV.UK, and wider planning questions can be checked at the Planning Portal.
Beams often form part of larger projects such as extensions, and are closely related to lintel replacement.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an engineer for an RSJ?
Yes. The beam size and bearings must be calculated for the loads involved, and building control will normally want to see those calculations. We work from the engineer design.
Is removing a load-bearing wall very messy?
It creates dust and noise, particularly when masonry is removed, but protection and dust control help. The wall is supported throughout, so the work is carried out safely and in a controlled sequence.
