Beams & Columns
W-beams, HSS columns, channel, and angle iron — cut, coped, welded, and prepared for erection.
Service · Structural Welding
Code-Compliant Structural Steel, Built to Pass Inspection
Ironclad Forge & Welding is AWS D1.1 certified for structural steel fabrication and field erection. We work with general contractors, engineers, and architects across Maine and New England — delivering welds that hold up to load, code, and time.
What We Weld
From a single beam replacement to a full structural steel package, we handle fabrication in our Portland shop and welding on-site. Every weld is documented, inspected, and certified.
Miscellaneous Metals
Lintels, embed plates, anchor bolts, base plates, and connection hardware supplied and installed.
Stairs & Mezzanines
Stringers, landings, guardrails, and full mezzanine frames fabricated to engineer drawings.
Trusses & Frames
Custom trusses and framing for additions, retrofits, and industrial structures.
Bridges & Platforms
Pedestrian bridges, catwalks, and elevated platforms for commercial and municipal clients.
Repair & Reinforcement
Cracked welds, corrosion repair, seismic reinforcement, and structural retrofits.
How We Deliver Structural Steel
Structural welding is not just welding. It's documentation, engineering coordination, and field execution. Here is what every project includes:
-
Drawing Review
We review the engineer's drawings, flag any issues, and submit RFIs before fabrication starts. No surprises mid-project.
-
Shop Fabrication
All primary welding is done in our shop under controlled conditions — cleaner, stronger, and faster than field welding.
-
Weld Procedures & Certifications
We maintain written WPS and PQR documentation. All shop and field welders are AWS certified in the processes specified.
-
Inspection Coordination
We schedule and coordinate third-party special inspections — ultrasonic, magnetic particle, or visual — as required by code.
-
Field Erection
Our crew handles delivery, bolting, alignment, and final welding on-site. We coordinate with the GC and other trades.
-
Punch List & Closeout
We complete punch-list items promptly and provide all required closeout documents for the building department.
Structural Materials & Processes
We fabricate in the materials and welding processes most common to commercial and industrial construction.
A992 Structural Steel
The industry standard for W-beams, columns, and primary framing. High strength, weldable, cost-effective.
Used for: Beams, columns, primary framing
A500 HSS Tube
Hollow structural sections — square, rectangular, and round. Clean look, excellent strength-to-weight.
Used for: Columns, bracing, architectural exposed steel
MIG Welding (GMAW)
Fast, clean, and ideal for production fabrication of structural members.
Used for: Shop fabrication, primary connections
TIG Welding (GTAW)
Precision process for stainless and thin-wall tube where appearance matters.
Used for: Architectural steel, stainless, sanitary work
Stick Welding (SMAW)
Field workhorse. Reliable in wind, cold, and imperfect conditions on job sites.
Used for: Field welding, repairs, thick sections
Flux-Core (FCAW)
High deposition rate for large structural welds where speed and penetration matter.
Used for: Heavy beam welding, deep groove joints
Structural Project Workflow
-
01
Bid & Scope Review
Send us the drawings and specifications. We'll provide a written bid, typically within 5–10 business days, including any exclusions and assumptions.
-
02
Submittals & RFIs
We prepare shop drawings and material submittals for engineer approval, and issue RFIs for any unclear details before fabrication begins.
-
03
Shop Fabrication
Fabrication is scheduled based on the project's construction sequence. Members are cut, fit, welded, and marked with piece numbers for field identification.
-
04
Shop Inspection
We complete in-house visual inspection on 100% of welds and coordinate third-party NDT inspection for specified joints.
-
05
Delivery & Erection
Delivery is coordinated with the GC's schedule. Our field crew handles bolting, alignment, and any final field welding.
-
06
Final Inspection & Closeout
We participate in the final walkthrough, complete punch-list items, and deliver all certification documents and as-built records.
Structural Welding Pricing
Structural work is always quoted per project. Here are common ranges to help with early budgeting.
Project Type
Typical Range
Lead Time
Miscellaneous steel package (small commercial)
$2,500 – $12,000
2–5 weeks
Stair stringers & landings (per flight, fab only)
$1,800 – $6,500
2–4 weeks
Mezzanine fabrication (per sq ft of deck)
$85 – $180
6–10 weeks
Beam reinforcement or repair (per connection)
$400 – $1,800
1–2 weeks
Field welding (per welder, per day)
$1,450 – $1,950
Scheduled
Full structural package (multi-story or large span)
Quoted per scope
10–20 weeks
Ranges reflect common projects, not a firm quote. Final pricing depends on tonnage, drawing complexity, finish requirements, site access, and prevailing wage status. We provide fixed or time-and-material bids based on your project's needs.
Structural Welding FAQ
Are you AWS certified?
Yes. We hold AWS D1.1 certification for structural steel, and all our structural welders are individually certified in the processes they perform. Certifications are current and available on request.
Do you provide engineering?
We are fabricators, not engineers. We work from drawings prepared by a licensed structural engineer of record. For small projects without a designated engineer, we can recommend local firms that we've worked with successfully.
Can you handle both shop fabrication and field erection?
Yes. Providing both is our preference — it reduces coordination problems and keeps responsibility for quality in one place. We also fabricate for GCs who prefer to erect with their own crews.
How do you handle prevailing wage projects?
We are experienced with Maine and federal prevailing wage projects. We can provide certified payroll and comply with all Davis-Bacon requirements when applicable.
What is your typical lead time for structural steel?
For small packages, 2–5 weeks. For major structural work, 8–16 weeks from approved shop drawings. Lead times vary based on current shop load — we'll give you a realistic window with the bid.
Do you work outside of Maine?
We regularly work across New England. Field work beyond about 150 miles of Portland is scheduled on a case-by-case basis and may include travel and mobilization charges.
Are you insured for commercial work?
Yes. We carry $2M in general liability and full workers' compensation coverage. Additional insured endorsements and waivers of subrogation are available on request.
Have Drawings Ready?
Send them over and we'll provide a written bid with clear scope, exclusions, and lead time. For urgent work, call us directly — we often can mobilize quickly.
Shop Hours
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Sunday: Closed