Project Portfolio: External Steel Staircase & Landing System (Cheltenham)

Project Overview

Client: Nick

Location: Cheltenham, Gloucestershire

System: Bespoke Galvanized & Powder-coated Steel Staircase with System 1 Balustrades

Scope: Survey, AutoCAD design, workshop trial-build, and delivery of a primary external access staircase and secondary internal "Urban-Chic" steps.

Engineering a Flawless Fit: The Cheltenham Case Study

Working alongside Russel Lloyd Developments, Dio-Met was commissioned to design an external staircase that met strict building regulations while maintaining a high-end aesthetic. The project required a landing platform and a multi-level staircase finished in RAL 7016 Anthracite Grey to match the property’s modern window and door profiles.

• Weather-Proof Construction: The entire steel framework underwent hot-dip galvanization followed by an architectural-grade powder coating, ensuring decades of rust protection in the Gloucestershire climate.

• Material Synergy: The treads were designed with a recess to house composite decking inlays, perfectly blending the industrial steel frame with the client's garden landscaping.

• Precision Balustrading: We utilized our System 1 Stainless Steel & Glass balustrade for the landing and stairs, featuring 10mm toughened glass for a safe, transparent perimeter.

Technical Expert Insight: The Value of the "Workshop Trial-Build"

For a complex multi-level staircase like this one in Cheltenham, the margin for error is low. Many suppliers ship "flat-pack" kits that require on-site cutting or welding, which compromises the galvanization and leads to rust. At Dio-Met, we perform a full Workshop Trial-Build for every staircase before it is powder-coated. We assemble the entire structure in our Sheffield factory to verify every AutoCAD-designed tolerance and bolt-hole alignment. This is why Nick’s builders reported such a seamless installation—by the time the steel reaches the site, we have already proven the structural fit, ensuring the UKCA-marked integrity remains intact without any "bodge-fixing" on-site.

To complement the external works, Nick commissioned a second, smaller set of steps for the interior of his Cheltenham home. This project highlights the "raw" side of Dio-Met’s craftsmanship, moving away from protective coatings to celebrate the natural aesthetic of the steel itself.

• Bare Metal Aesthetic: Unlike the external staircase, these internal steps were left in a "bare metal" finish. This "Industrial-Chic" look highlights the quality of our welds and the natural grain of the steel, a popular trend in modern residential and commercial interiors.

• Compact Engineering: Designed for a tight interior footprint, these steps were engineered to provide maximum structural stability while maintaining a minimalist, "floating" appearance.

• Residential Versatility: This installation proves that the same structural standards we apply to 7-metre industrial platforms are just as effective for delicate, design-led interior features.

Technical Expert Insight: Managing Interior "Bare Metal" Finishes

When a client requests a "bare metal" or "industrial raw" finish for an internal staircase, the engineering challenge shifts from weatherproofing to oxidation management. Standard mild steel will begin to surface-rust if exposed to even minor humidity. For Nick’s project in Cheltenham, we utilized a "Dry-Scale" steel selection and advised on a clear-coat lacquer or wax finish. This seals the steel, preserving the dark, blue-grey mill scale and the clean, ground-back aesthetic of our welds without allowing atmospheric moisture to trigger corrosion. It’s a delicate balance between a "factory-raw" look and long-term residential durability.

Nationwide Engineering Excellence

From our central manufacturing hub in Sheffield, Dio-Met provides a total "Design-to-Delivery" service across Cheltenham, the Cotswolds, and the rest of the UK. Whether you require a primary external fire escape or an "urban-chic" internal staircase, our in-house technical team ensures every bolt and glass panel is engineered to perfection.

• Browse Staircases: View our External Steel Staircase Range

• Explore Balustrades: System 1 Glass & Stainless Steel

• Request a Quote: Call 0114 243 9009 or email sales@diometonline.co.uk.