Architectural Metalwork for Residential Developments
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Residential developers and main contractors cannot afford metalwork that fails compliance, delays handover, or requires costly remediation after practical completion. From balcony edge guarding on luxury apartment blocks to land boundary railings and feature staircases across large-scale housing schemes, we design, manufacture and install architectural metalwork for residential developments of every scale across the UK.
Since 2000, Gatehouse Architectural has delivered metalwork solutions for national house builders, residential developers, and main contractors working across new build housing, luxury apartment blocks, and large-scale refurbishment schemes. Our end-to-end service covers every stage from inception to completion, with in-house CAD/CAM design, UK manufacture at our Kingswinford facility, and nationwide installation managed under a single point of contact.
CAD / CAM
We produce specific and accurate detail design drawings from the initial idea to the finished product. We will review your project to ensure that you are completely satisfied with your designs prior to manufacture.
Bespoke Metalwork
Our metalwork has been admired by our Clients all over the country. Not only for their practicality, sustainability, and design but also the sheer range of finishes we have available to complement any colour scheme.
Bespoke Design
We can design, manufacture and install anything to suit your specific requirements. Our Metalwork is tailored and engineered to suit Architectural specifications and often state-of- the-art concepts.
Why Choose Gatehouse Architectural?
Residential projects carry specific structural, regulatory, and aesthetic demands that a general metalwork supplier is not always equipped to meet. We are.
Our team understands the pressures of live residential sites, programme-critical handover dates, and the compliance requirements that govern every balustrade, balcony, and handrail we produce. All our structural steelwork carries CE/UKCA marking to EN 1090 Execution Class EXC2, and every installation is designed and delivered in full accordance with Building Regulations Part K and Part M. Our CHAS accreditation and Constructionline Gold membership confirm our suitability for both public and private sector residential procurement without the need for additional pre-qualification.
We work with residential developers ranging from national house builders to boutique apartment developers, delivering metalwork solutions that meet structural loading requirements, satisfy planning conditions, and complement the architectural vision of the scheme. Whether your project calls for a cost-effective modular balustrade system or a fully fabricated feature staircase, our manufacturing capability covers the full range.
Needs & Requirements for Healthcare Buildings
Residential metalwork operates within a strict regulatory framework. Getting the specification right from the outset protects your programme, your budget, and your project sign-off.
Building Regulations Compliance
Every balustrade and barrier we produce for residential applications is designed and manufactured to meet the requirements of Approved Document K and Approved Document M. For internal residential stairs, minimum balustrade height is 900mm. For external balconies and outdoor stairs, the minimum rises to 1100mm, with drop protection triggering at a height difference of 600mm or more. We address all of these requirements at the design stage, not on site, which means your installation proceeds without compliance delays.
Balcony Structural Support
Many residential developers encounter a challenge that standard metalwork contractors cannot resolve: balcony edge guarding is specified, but no structural steelwork exists to fix to. We have provided steel substructure to support balcony systems on residential schemes where no fixing substrate was in place, carrying out the structural element as part of our wider metalwork scope. This removes the need for a separate structural steel contractor and gives your project a single point of accountability from drawing through to handover.
Structural Loading and Material Specification
Residential balustrades are designed to withstand a minimum loading of 0.74kN, in line with current UK standards. Where a scheme includes mixed tenure or shared amenity spaces, loading requirements increase accordingly. We carry out full structural consideration at the CAD/CAM design stage, selecting materials and fixing methods appropriate to the substrate, the application, and the finish specification. Our confirmed material range covers mild steel, stainless steel, toughened glass, and wire rope, with finish options including polyester powder coating in any RAL colour, satin polish, and hot-dip galvanising for external structural elements.
Programme and Site Management
We understand that residential sites are live environments with multiple trades working concurrently. Our installation teams are managed to minimise disruption to programme, and our in-house manufacturing at Kingswinford gives us direct control over lead times and production scheduling. From the moment of our appointment, we coordinate closely with your site team to align fabrication, delivery, and installation with your construction programme.
Our Work
We deliver architectural metalwork across the full range of residential development types in the UK, including:
- National and local house builder schemes
- Luxury apartment blocks and high-rise residential
- New build housing developments
- Large-scale residential refurbishment
- Student accommodation
- Mixed-use developments with residential elements
Typical architectural metalwork and fabrication for residential developments includes:
- Balcony systems including Juliet balconies and walkout balconies in mild steel, stainless steel, and glazed configurations
- External balustrades and edge guarding with corrosion-resistant finishes
- Land boundary railings in mild steel or stainless steel
- Internal and external staircases including helical, spiral, and straight feature stairs
- Modular prefabricated steel stair units designed for screeding, used in conjunction with Steel Frame System installers
- Wall-mounted handrail systems for corridors and stair cores
- Balustrade infill panels in glass, perforated plate, solid plate, horizontal rail, or vertical bar configurations
FAQs
for Architectural Metalwork for Residential Developments
Under Approved Document K, the minimum height for a balustrade on an external residential balcony or outdoor stair is 1100mm. For internal residential stairs, the minimum is 900mm. Drop protection is required where there is a height difference of 600mm or more. We design every residential balustrade to meet these requirements from the initial CAD drawing stage.
Inspiring
Projects & Case Studies
Residential developments demand metalwork that is compliant, programme-ready, and built to last. We design, manufacture and install architectural metalwork for residential developments across the UK, from individual house builder plots to large-scale apartment schemes, all from our manufacturing facility in Kingswinford, West Midlands.
Rivendale
To provide Corten steel cladding to several large feature chimney breasts within the restaurant bar area of the holiday park.
Oadby
To provide an attractive minimalist curved staircase and balustrade within the entrance hall of a new build private house.
Odeon Cinema
Mild steel sub-structure supporting glass stair treads, an in-house designed frameless glass support.