A steel beam is only as sound as what it bears on, and Amersham gives two different answers. Timber framing survives in the High Street of the Old Town. In Elm Close, up the hill, the houses are built of concrete blocks. We appoint the structural engineer, build to the calculations, and coordinate the building control inspections.
What a steel beam bears on here
The bearing detail follows the wall the steel lands on, and Amersham has two building traditions. The council's Old Town appraisal records that timber framing survives in the High Street and becomes more predominant towards the 17th century Market Hall, the King's Arms Hotel being its own example. Landing a beam in a frame like that is a different exercise from landing one in brickwork.
In Elm Close the council's appraisal describes houses two storeys high, constructed of pale grey and brown concrete blocks with brown tiled roofs. It puts the use of concrete blocks down to the shortage of building materials in the early interwar period. Blockwork changes the padstone and bearing design. Your engineer sizes it, and we build to what is specified.
Steel over a former garage opening
A garage conversion needs a beam where the garage door was, and on the Weller Estate the council has said what should happen around it. Its appraisal asks that any new windows in a converted integral garage are in keeping with those originally used, and that a wall replacing the garage doors is rendered to match the rest of the house. Settle that finish before the opening is formed, not after.
Building control wants the calculations with the application
Buckinghamshire Council states that structural or architectural drawings and calculations must be submitted with a full plans building control application. We never produce those calculations. We appoint a structural engineer to prepare them, coordinate the application and the inspections, and build the beam, padstones and connections to what the engineer has specified.
Cost follows the span and what sits above it. As a guide, indicative London ranges, MyBuilder and Checkatrade, 2026, put an RSJ beam alone for one straightforward opening at £1,500 to £4,000. A quotation for your own opening is free and carries no obligation.
- Building control applications and inspection sign-off
- Access and lifting plans for restricted London sites
- Lintel and catnic support to smaller openings
- Flitch beams where a slimmer steel and timber solution suits
- Goalpost frames where two walls meet at a corner
Why Choose GS Renovation in Amersham
Because the beam is not the decision. The structural engineer's calculation is, and we are the contractor who appoints that engineer, reads the drawing, and builds the bearings, padstones and connections exactly as specified. We never produce calculations ourselves. What we do is run the job around them, coordinate the Buckinghamshire Council inspections, and give you one point of contact. Fully insured, with free no obligation quotations.
- Building control applications and inspections coordinated for you
- High-density concrete padstones bedded at every bearing
- Structural engineer instructed and coordinated on your behalf
- Aftercare and snagging support once the job is finished
- Materials priced at options, so you choose the finish
- Steel sized to the engineer's design, never guessed on site