Advice Centre

Gallows brackets have a poor track record for supporting chimney breast removals. Here’s why PorthouseDean recommends steel beams instead.

If the wall you’re removing only goes up to ceiling height with nothing above it, you may not need a steel beam at all. Here’s why.

Steel columns in external walls serve one of two purposes: lateral wind bracing or carrying a beam load too great for masonry alone. This explains both.

Partial chimney removals can require cranked steelwork to navigate around the remaining structure. Full removals from first floor upward generally do not.

Your structural drawings show a post or column in an external wall that doesn’t seem to carry any vertical load. Here’s why it’s still needed.