GS Renovation installs steel beams and RSJs across Catford, where SE6 is dominated by bay-fronted Victorian and Edwardian terraces with rear closet wings and side returns. With over 30 years of structural experience in South East London, we remove load-bearing walls safely and get the work signed off by Lewisham building control.
Removing load-bearing walls in Catford terraces
The wall between the two ground-floor reception rooms in a Catford terrace is nearly always load-bearing, carrying the floor above and often the chimney stack. Before anything is touched, a structural engineer sizes the beam for the actual span and load, and we work out the bearing points at each end. We then set out padstones, usually mass concrete or a proprietary bearing block, so the steel transfers weight cleanly into the solid brickwork.
On site we prop the structure with adjustable steel props and strongboys, take the wall down in careful stages, and lift the beam into position before removing the temporary support. In these SE6 terraces the masonry is soft lime-mortared brick, so we work methodically to avoid disturbing the floors above and keep the rest of the house stable throughout.
Party wall notices and building control in Catford
In a terraced street the dividing walls and chimney breasts often sit within a shared party wall, so cutting a beam pocket into next door's structure brings the Party Wall Act into play. We flag this early, help you serve the correct notice on adjoining owners, and coordinate the timing so the works stay lawful and neighbourly. This matters on the tight-knit terraces running between Catford and Forest Hill.
Every beam we install is notified to Lewisham Council building control, who inspect the padstone bearings, the beam itself and the fire protection before sign-off. We handle the inspection bookings, the engineer's calculations and the completion certificate, so you finish with the paperwork a future buyer or surveyor will want to see. Nothing is boxed in until building control is satisfied.
- Party Wall Act notices and awards
- RSJ and structural steel beam installation
- Load-bearing wall removal and knock-throughs
- Structural openings for open-plan living
- Structural engineer calculations and beam sizing
Trusted RSJ and Steel Beam Installation in Catford
Catford homeowners choose GS Renovation because we treat steelwork as a structural job first, not a quick knock-through. We work to the engineer's calculations, prop safely, respect the shared party walls common in SE6 terraces, and see the job through Lewisham building control to certificate. Over 30 years in South East London means we have opened up hundreds of period homes like yours.
- Free, no-obligation quotations
- Over 30 years of hands-on experience
- Dedicated project management
- Fully insured and guaranteed work
- Building control and planning support
- Clean, tidy and reliable tradespeople