Metal Sections

Mild steel metal sections including box section angle bar and tube

Our metal sections collection brings together a full range of steel and aluminium structural sections, bars, tubes, channels, plates and sheets for trade, fabrication, construction and DIY use. From standard mild steel through to galvanised, stainless and 6063 aluminium, plus specialist sections for handrails and balustrades, this is one of the broadest metal-section ranges available online in the UK with fast delivery and cut-to-size options.

Our metal sections collection brings together a full range of steel and aluminium structural sections, bars, tubes, channels, plates and sheets for trade, fabrication, construction and DIY use. From standard mild steel through to galvanised, stainless and 6063 aluminium, plus specialist sections for handrails and balustrades, this is one of the broadest metal-section ranges available online in the UK with fast delivery and cut-to-size options.

This collection is designed for builders, fabricators, welders, engineers and serious DIY buyers who need full-length sections delivered for cutting, fabrication, repair or installation. Product options span S235, S275 and S355J0 mild steel, hot-dip galvanised mild steel to BS EN ISO 1461, 304 stainless steel (grade 1.4307) and architectural 6063 T6 aluminium - depending on the section and finish chosen.

Metal Sections for UK Fabrication, Construction & Architectural Work

Metal sections are used across construction, welding, fabrication, gates, frames, supports, brackets, trailers, workshops, garden structures, architectural metalwork, balustrades, handrails and general steelwork. Different materials and grades suit different jobs: mild steel for strength and weldability, galvanised for outdoor corrosion resistance, stainless for marine, food and architectural environments, and aluminium for lightweight, corrosion-resistant and architectural applications.

What's In This Collection

Structural sections - Universal beams (UBs) and universal columns (UCs) in S355J0, including 127x76, 152x89, 152x152, 178x102, 203x102, 203x133, 203x203, 254x102 and 254x146 sizes. Available in mill finish or pre-primed with red oxide.

Box and rectangle sections - Mild steel S235 in 3m and 7.5m lengths, ERW steel in 6m, hot-dip galvanised steel in 6m, 304 stainless steel in 6m, and 6063 T6 aluminium in 5m.

Hollow sections - Mild steel circular (CHS), square (SHS) and rectangular (RHS) hollow sections in 7.5m lengths.

Angle sections - Mild steel angle S275 in 6m, hot-dip galvanised angle in 6m, 304 stainless steel equal angle in 6m, and 6063 T6 aluminium equal & unequal angles in 5m.

Channels - Structural parallel flange channel (PFC) in S355 sold per metre, 6m mild steel channel S275, and 6063 T6 aluminium channel in 5m.

Bars - S275 mild steel round, square and flat bar in 6m; bright drawn EN3B mild steel round bar in 3m; hot-dip galvanised square and flat bar in 6m; 304 stainless steel square bar in 3m; and 6063 T6 aluminium round, square and flat bar in 4-5m lengths.

Tubes - ERW mild steel round tube in 6m, hot-dip galvanised tube in 6.5m (BS 1387), and 6063 T6 aluminium round tube in 5m.

Sheets and plate - Mild steel S275, galvanised DX51D, zintec, 304 stainless steel 2B finish, 1050 H14 aluminium, mild steel durbar/chequer plate S275 and aluminium chequer plate 5754, in 2x1m, 8x4ft and 3x1.5m sizes.

Specialist sections - Convex (feather edge) handrail bar with matching ends and corners, half round bar handrail, holed bars for compliant balustrade infill, and reinforcing mesh and rebar packs.

Common Uses

Structural beams, columns and frames. Gates, railings and balustrades. Brackets, supports and frameworks. Workshop and trailer builds. Architectural metalwork, capping rails and handrails. Decking subframes, garden structures and cladding frames. Stairs, mezzanines and load-bearing repairs. Fabrication, welding and machining projects across construction and trade.

Materials & Grades Explained

Mild steel (S235, S275, S355J0) - The standard structural steel for building, fabrication and welding. S275 is the everyday workhorse; S355J0 is higher strength for structural beams and columns. Mild steel must be primed and painted, or galvanised, for outdoor use.

Galvanised steel - Mild steel coated with zinc by hot-dip galvanising to BS EN ISO 1461. Significantly better corrosion resistance than bare mild steel, suited to outdoor frames, fencing, gates and exposed steelwork without further coating.

304 stainless steel (1.4307) - Premium corrosion-resistant alloy with a clean architectural finish. The standard choice for marine, food, hygienic, kitchen, balustrade and high-end architectural environments. Far more corrosion resistant than galvanised.

6063 T6 aluminium - Architectural-grade aluminium alloy. Lightweight, naturally corrosion-resistant (no paint required), easy to cut and machine, with a clean mill finish. Ideal where weight, corrosion resistance or a modern architectural look matter more than absolute strength.

Always check the product title and description for the exact grade, finish and dimensions before ordering.

Supplied Lengths

Metal sections are supplied in standard trade lengths: 5m for aluminium sections, 6m for most mild steel and galvanised sections, 6.5m for galvanised tube, and 7.5m for mild steel hollow sections. Structural channel and beams are typically sold per metre or per length depending on the product. Bright drawn and stainless steel bars are commonly in 3m. Some products are available in shorter lengths or cut-to-size on request.

For fabrication projects, allow for cutting tolerance, kerf waste and handling. If you need a specific cut size, contact us before ordering for a cutting quote.

Welding, Cutting & Finishing

Mild steel, galvanised steel and stainless steel can all be cut, drilled and welded with the right tools and consumables. Stainless requires stainless-specific filler and pickling paste to restore corrosion resistance at weld points. Aluminium needs aluminium-specific filler and either MIG or TIG with the correct settings.

For outdoor or exposed steelwork in mild steel, a suitable primer, paint system or galvanised alternative may be required depending on the environment. Pair raw mild steel with a red oxide primer and topcoat for indoor use, or specify galvanised at point of order if outdoor exposure is expected.

Delivery Information

Metal sections are long and heavy items - suitable delivery access is required and offloading assistance must be available on site. Lead times are currently 5-10 working days for structural beams, columns and heavy sections; 3-5 working days for most bars, tubes and sheets. Early bookings get priority - contact us before placing time-sensitive orders.

Order Metal Sections Online

Browse the collection below and select the section type, material, size and length you need for your project. Each product page shows the exact grade, dimensions, supplied length and delivery details - check carefully before placing your order.

FAQ

What metals do you stock in this collection?

We stock mild steel (S235, S275, S355J0), hot-dip galvanised steel to BS EN ISO 1461, 304 stainless steel (grade 1.4307), and 6063 T6 aluminium. The exact material depends on the section type and finish you choose - check each product page for the precise grade and finish.

What's the difference between mild steel, galvanised, stainless and aluminium?

Mild steel is the standard structural metal - strong, weldable and the cheapest option, but needs painting or galvanising for outdoor use. Galvanised steel is mild steel zinc-coated for corrosion resistance, suited to outdoor frames and gates. 304 stainless steel is corrosion-resistant and architectural - the choice for marine, food, balustrade and high-end environments. 6063 T6 aluminium is lightweight, naturally corrosion-resistant and architectural-grade - ideal where weight or finish matters more than raw strength.

What lengths are metal sections supplied in?

Standard trade lengths: aluminium sections in 4-5m, most mild steel and galvanised sections in 6m, galvanised tube in 6.5m (BS 1387), mild steel hollow sections in 7.5m. Bright drawn and stainless bars are commonly 3m. Structural channel and beams are typically per metre or per length depending on the product. Cut-to-size is available on request - contact us for a cutting quote.

Can metal sections be cut to size?

Yes - we can cut to size on most products. Add your required lengths in the order notes at checkout, use the built-in calculators or contact us for a cutting quote before ordering. Allow for cutting tolerance and kerf waste when specifying lengths for fabrication projects.

Which steel grade is right for my project?

S235 is general-purpose structural mild steel, suitable for most fabrication work. S275 has higher yield strength and is the most common UK structural grade for bars, sections and box. S355J0 is higher strength again - used for universal beams (UBs) and columns (UCs) in load-bearing structural work. If you're not sure, check the project specification or contact us with your application.

Are these sections weldable?

Yes - mild steel, galvanised steel and 304 stainless steel are all readily weldable with the right consumables. Stainless requires stainless-specific filler wire and pickling paste to restore corrosion resistance at weld points. Aluminium is weldable with aluminium-specific filler and MIG or TIG with the correct settings. Always degrease and clean before welding for best results.

Do you sell to trade and DIY customers?

Yes - we supply trade fabricators, builders, welders and engineers alongside serious DIY buyers across the UK. Trade pricing is reflected in our standard prices; no separate trade account needed. Bulk and project orders can be quoted - contact us for larger requirements.

What's the delivery lead time?

Lead times are currently 5-10 working days for structural beams, columns and heavy sections; 3-5 working days for most bars, tubes, sheets and lighter products. Early bookings get priority - contact us before placing time-sensitive orders. Metal sections are long and heavy, so suitable delivery access and offloading assistance on site are required.

Can I order in mill finish or with red oxide primer?

Universal beams (UBs) and universal columns (UCs) are available in mill finish or with a red oxide primer pre-applied. Mill finish is cheapest but needs priming and painting for outdoor or exposed use. Red oxide-primed sections save you a step and protect the steel during transit and storage. Other products in the collection (bars, channels, sheets) are typically supplied in mill finish.

Do you offer specialist sections for handrails and balustrades?

Yes - we stock convex bar (feather edge handrail) with matching ends and corners, half round bar for capping and handrails, and holed bars for compliant 100mm-gap balustrade infill. These are alongside our 304 stainless and 6063 aluminium ranges, which are popular for architectural balustrades and handrails.