Materials & sectors

High-rise building materials

From I-beams and aluminium cladding to coloured stainless steel and building services. Explore the materials, finishes and fabricated components used across modern skyscrapers.

Discuss your materials

Materials we source

Standard products, specialist finishes and bespoke fabrication, organised by building system.

Availability, minimum quantities and lead times are confirmed with suppliers for each enquiry.

Structural

I-beams, columns, hollow sections, reinforcement and concrete components for the building frame and supporting structure.

Stepped concrete building forms with recessed openings and visible casting marks
I-beams and columns
Universal beams (UB), universal columns (UC) and specified I- or H-sections, with cut lengths and fabrication requirements.
Secondary steelwork
Rectangular, square and circular hollow sections; channels, angles, plates, brackets and connection components.
Concrete and reinforcement
Reinforcing bar, mesh, couplers, metal decking and precast components to the structural schedule.
Protection and fabrication
Primed or galvanised steelwork, specified protective coatings, drilled connections and fabricated assemblies.

What we check

Confirm section designation, steel grade, lengths, connection details and protective finish. Changes to sections or grades go to the structural engineer for approval.

Envelope

Aluminium cladding, curtain walling, architectural glazing and rainscreen components for the external skin of the building.

Close oblique view of folded silver facade panels and recessed dark glazing
Aluminium cladding
Solid aluminium sheets and folded cassettes, perforated panels, extruded fins, soffits and flashings.
Metal finishes
Anodised, powder-coated and coil-coated aluminium; natural metallic, bronze-toned and specified RAL colour options.
Glazing and curtain walling
Aluminium framing, mullions, transoms, insulated glass units, laminated glass and spandrel panels.
Rainscreen components
Stone, terracotta and fibre-cement panels, support rails, brackets, insulation, membranes and cavity barriers.

What we check

Review panel construction, finish samples, dimensions, fixing details and system performance. Solid aluminium and composite panels require separate specification reviews.

Interiors

Decorative stainless steel, stone, joinery and acoustic finishes for lobbies, lift interiors, workplaces and shared spaces.

Curved timber battens continuing from an interior wall across the ceiling
Architectural stainless steel
304 / 304L and 316 / 316L sheet, trims, skirtings, wall panels, lift surrounds and decorative profiles.
Surface and colour
Brushed, hairline, satin, mirror, bead-blasted and patterned finishes; PVD and electrochemically coloured options.
Stone and hard finishes
Natural stone, terrazzo, porcelain and ceramic finishes, including slabs, tiles, stair treads and cut-to-size pieces.
Joinery and acoustic systems
Timber veneers, laminates, wall battens, acoustic panels, suspended ceilings and coordinated ironmongery.

What we check

Agree physical samples, thickness, sheen, grain direction, edge details and colour consistency across adjoining finishes before ordering.

Explore stainless steel finishes

MEP

Mechanical, electrical and plumbing materials for risers, distribution routes, plant areas and occupied floors.

Illustrative galvanised duct and insulated pipework suspended beneath a concrete soffit
Mechanical and ventilation
Galvanised ductwork, grilles, diffusers, dampers, flexible connections and associated insulation.
Pipework and plumbing
Copper, carbon steel, stainless steel and specified plastic pipe systems, with fittings, valves and supports.
Electrical containment
Cable trays, baskets, ladders, trunking and conduit, with galvanised, stainless steel or coated finishes as specified.
Supports and service protection
Support channels, threaded rods, brackets, pipe insulation, protective jackets and specified penetration seals.

What we check

Compare sizes, connection types, pressure and temperature ratings, compatibility and supplier documentation against the services schedule.

Specialist

Bespoke metalwork, screens, balustrades and folded components where dimensions, geometry or finish need a tailored approach.

Close view of curved perforated metal facade panels with staggered vertical joints
Screens and mesh
Perforated sheet, expanded metal and woven mesh in specified aperture sizes, patterns and open areas.
Bespoke metalwork
Balustrade components, handrails, trims, feature panels and architectural profiles in steel, stainless steel or aluminium.
Decorative metal alternatives
Brass, bronze, copper and coloured stainless steel options, compared by appearance, fabrication and maintenance requirements.
Fabricated components
Laser-cut, folded, welded and machined pieces, with coordinated joints, fixing points and surface treatments.

What we check

Start with drawings, tolerances, a finish reference and quantities. Confirm prototype or sample requirements, fabrication sequence and production lead time.

Stainless steel, in detail

Grade, texture and colour are separate choices. Define all three for wall panels, lift surrounds, handrails, trims and architectural metalwork.

Choose the grade

304 / 304L
A widely used stainless steel family for architectural sheet and fabricated components. Suitability depends on the exposure and specification.
316 / 316L
Molybdenum-alloyed grades for applications with greater corrosion-resistance requirements. Confirm the grade with the design team for the intended environment.

Choose the surface

  • Brushed and hairlineDirectional grain, with the brushing direction agreed across adjoining panels.
  • Satin and bead-blastedSubdued surfaces, with texture and sheen matched to a physical sample.
  • Mirror polishedA reflective finish for feature panels, trims and lift interiors.
  • Patterned and texturedEmbossed, etched or other decorative surfaces for architectural detailing.

Choose the colour

Natural silver or coloured finishes using PVD coating or electrochemical colouring, depending on the selected product.

  • Natural silver
  • Champagne
  • Gold
  • Bronze
  • Rose gold
  • Black

Colour references are indicative. Confirm the colour process, base finish, grade and available sheet sizes, then approve a physical sample before production.

Material alternatives and substitutions

When a specified material, finish or delivery date changes, we compare the options and record the differences for your team's approval before an order.

Material options and checks when considering a substitution
MaterialOptions to compareReview before switching
Stainless steel grade 304 / 304L or 316 / 316L, as specified for the application. Exposure, corrosion requirements, fabrication and grade approval.
Metal colour and surface Natural, PVD or electrochemically coloured stainless steel; brushed, mirror or textured surfaces. Physical colour sample, sheen, grain direction, durability and cleaning requirements.
Aluminium cladding Solid sheet or a specified composite panel construction; anodised, powder-coated or coil-coated finishes. Panel build-up, weight, fixings, fire and weather performance, and facade designer approval.
Structural steel Alternative suppliers, section availability, cut lengths and fabrication routes. Section properties, steel grade, connections and protective coating. Section or grade changes require structural engineer approval.
Interior and MEP products Alternative finish ranges, pipe systems, duct components and containment products. Dimensions, appearance, system compatibility, technical ratings and design team approval.

Each comparison also includes quotation scope, quantity, sample availability and production lead time. The appointed design team confirms technical suitability.

Building sectors

Material packages for commercial towers, residential buildings and the spaces that connect them.

Commercial and workplace

Residential and mixed use

Hospitality and public realm

Education and civic

Discuss your material schedule

Send the material, grade, finish, quantities and required dates. We will review sourcing options, samples and availability.

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