Project scope

At MAH Steel, we are a steel fabricator based in the South East England. We work a lot in East Sussex, and this project was conveniently located in Brighton. This particular job required fabricated steels for loft conversion.

Loft conversions have recently surged in popularity due to their potential to maximise living space without the need for costly extensions or moving to a new property. With urban areas becoming increasingly congested and property prices soaring, homeowners are seeking innovative ways to utilise existing space efficiently. Loft conversions offer a solution by transforming often neglected attic spaces into functional rooms, such as bedrooms, home offices, or recreational areas. However, the structural integrity of the building is paramount in these conversions, as lofts typically lack adequate support for additional weight. This is where good quality fabricated steel comes into play. Steel provides the necessary strength and support to reinforce the structure, allowing for safe and stable loft conversions. Its versatility and durability make it an ideal material for creating load-bearing beams, columns, and other structural elements essential for transforming loft spaces into habitable areas. Therefore, investing in high-quality fabricated steel ensures not only the success of the loft conversion project but also the long-term safety and stability of the entire property.

Besides, we also work on home extensions and basement conversions in Brighton, but it’s a completely different story! Let’s take a look at this specific project and review the steps taken to bring this stunning loft conversion to life.

The project overview

So, our regular customer contacted MAH Steel on Wednesday, needing fabricated steels for a loft with hiab lift on Friday. The steel was in stock, so we were able to process the job speedily. From taking the order, we processed and sent our loft conversion steel straight to the workshop.

Then we selected the steel from our large stock facility and took it to the saw. Our quality control team checked the loft conversion steel beams off against the cutting list and then sawn to the correct length, as is the case with all jobs. Quality control is paramount to us, as we’re a CE-marked steel fabrication company. It means that all our steel products undergo rigorous testing and quality checking processes throughout the steel fabrication journey. Besides, it means that all our fabricated steel complies with international standards which are very high. Most importantly, a CE-marked steel fabrication company such as ours maintains comprehensive documentation throughout the whole steel fabrication process. Transparency is the key! And needless to say, having a CE-mark ensures that all steel components are not only safe but also reliable in terms of performance and durability. And this is what we at MAH Steel stand for – transparency, precision, safety and, of course, the best quality.

Steel for a loft conversion

But back to the process. We cut the steels for a loft with high precision. At our steel workshop, we use latest quality CNC steel profiling and laser cutting. These are advanced steel manufacturing techniques that revolutionise the precision and efficiency of metal fabrication. CNC (Computer Numerical Control) steel profiling involves using computer-controlled machinery to precisely cut and shape steel components according to specified designs or patterns. This technology allows to make intricate and complex shapes with high accuracy and consistency. On the other hand, laser cutting utilises a focused laser beam to cut through steel with extreme precision and speed. Both methods offer numerous advantages such as fast production times, minimal material wastage, and the ability to work with a wide range of steel thicknesses. From architectural components to industrial parts, CNC steel profiling and laser cutting play a crucial role in modern metalworking industries, enabling the creation of intricate and durable products with exceptional precision.

After steel cutting, we transferred the cut lengths to the fabrication area. Our fabrication team checked everything again to ensure the steels were the correct cut length. After that, the actual steel fabrication process began. During the fabrication process steel pieces undergo shaping, bending, and forming through processes like rolling, pressing, or forging. Everything depends on the desired shape and specifications. After the fabrication, our in-house QA team checked the future steels for a loft. Everything was correct, so we moved to the next stage, which was welding.

Steel fabricators employ welding or joining techniques to assemble the fabricated components into the final structure or product. After that our QA team checks welding, punching and drilling results again to ensure that holes, plates, and fabrication specifications were adhered to and that they lined up as required.

Finishing touches

After that, we cut and prepared spreader plates in our plates area, making them ready to join them with the main job. A steel spreader plate is a flat piece of steel used to distribute loads evenly over a surface or to reinforce structural elements. Steel fabricators commonly use it in construction and engineering projects to provide support, stability, and strength. We use it particularly in applications where heavy loads need to be dispersed efficiently. We also often use spreader plates in conjunction with bolts or fasteners to secure them in place.

Finally, finishing touches such as blasting and painting! We apply steel finishes to enhance the appearance and durability of the fabricated steel product. It’s very important to use the correct thickness of paint in microns! After that, we hang our fabricated steels for a loft in the yard to dry.

Steel Delivery and Erection

Prior to loading, our painted fabricated steel was then visually checked by the QA and loading teams. They checked the steel to be correct to the instruction. Then they added bolts, nuts, washers and packing plates to complete the job.

The steel was then loaded onto our 15 metre hiab lorry. The driver checked the load ready for an early start and then it was delivered to site and placed where the customer needed it! Right at the Brighton seafront!