Universal Column 203 × 203 × 46

What it is

The beam is cleaned and given a coat of red oxide primer in our workshop before it leaves.

How it protects

The primer seals the surface so moisture can’t reach bare steel while the beam is stored, delivered and built in.

Best for

• Beams inside the building: knock-throughs, lofts, extensions
• Anywhere warm and dry once the job is finished

Good to know

• Paint over it in any finish colour, or cover it with plasterboard or intumescent paint for fire protection (check the intumescent is compatible with red oxide).
• Touch up any scuffs and site cuts with primer before the beam is boxed in.
• Not designed for outdoors or damp spaces. Choose galvanised for those.

What it is

After fabrication the whole beam is hot-dip galvanised: dipped in molten zinc to BS EN ISO 1461, coating every face, edge and bolt hole.

How it protects

Zinc shields the steel twice. It’s a sealed barrier, and where it’s scratched the zinc corrodes first, sacrificing itself to protect the steel.

Best for

• Outside: balconies, canopies, gate posts, external frames
• Damp or hidden places: cavity walls, sub-floors, ground-level posts

Good to know

• Starts bright silver and weathers to a soft matt grey.
• Every hole, plate and weld must be done before galvanising, so send final drawings.
• Adds a few working days for the trip to the galvaniser.
• To paint it, you’ll need a primer made for galvanised steel.

What it is

The beam as it leaves the rolling mill: no coating, just its dark blue-grey mill scale.

How it protects

It has no protection of its own. Left in the weather, it will surface-rust within days.

Best for

• Steel that will be shot-blasted and painted by others
• Beams to be cased in concrete, or welded and altered on site

Good to know

• A light orange bloom from storage is normal and doesn’t weaken the beam.
• Keep it dry and off the ground, and protect it before it’s built in.
• The cheapest option, but only if a finish is coming later.