GS Renovation installs RSJs and structural steel beams throughout Orpington, where the BR6 housing stock is dominated by 1930s semi-detached and interwar suburban homes on generous plots. With more than 30 years of structural experience across Bromley, we open up load-bearing walls safely, from ground floor knock-throughs to chimney breast removals in these solid family houses.
Removing load-bearing walls in Orpington semis
The wall between the front reception and rear dining room of a typical Orpington interwar semi almost always carries load from the floors and roof above. Before any demolition, our structural engineer calculates the beam size and specifies the padstones it must bear onto. We then install temporary propping, remove the masonry in careful staged sections and lift the RSJ into position so the structure above stays fully supported throughout.
Because so many Orpington houses in BR6 are semi-detached, the dividing wall between you and your neighbour is a shared party wall. Where the beam bears into that wall, the Party Wall Act applies and formal notices must be served before work starts. We flag this at the survey stage, help you serve the correct notices in good time and coordinate the steelwork so the schedule is not held up.
Padstones and building control across Orpington
Steel is only as safe as its bearings. In the 1930s cavity and solid brickwork common across Orpington, we set the RSJ ends onto concrete or high-strength padstones that spread the load into sound masonry rather than crushing older brick. Every beam is fitted level, packed and connected exactly as the engineer's drawings require, then fire-protected where the regulations call for it.
Structural steelwork is controlled under building regulations, not planning permission, so the project runs through Bromley Council building control or an approved inspector. We arrange the inspections, present the engineer's calculations and drawings, and book the beam sign-off before anything is plastered over. You finish with a compliant, documented installation and a completion certificate that protects the value of your Orpington home when you come to sell.
- Building control applications and inspection sign-off
- Structural engineer's calculations arranged and followed
- Lintel and catnic support to smaller openings
- Steel delivered cut, drilled and primed to the engineer's schedule
- Existing pipework and cabling diverted around the new opening
Why Orpington Homeowners Choose GS Renovation
Orpington homeowners choose GS Renovation because we manage the whole structural job under one roof, from engineer's calculations and padstone design to propping, safe demolition and building control sign-off. Our 30-plus years working on BR6 interwar semis means we understand the shared party walls and older brickwork, and you serve the right notices so the work is safe and fully compliant.
- Neighbours given notice before the noisy stages
- Levels and deflection checked before the props come out
- Our own trades on site rather than a chain of subcontractors
- One point of contact on the phone, not a call centre
- Free follow-up visit after completion if anything needs attention
- Building control inspected at the propping and beam stages