Why Choose Steel-Frame Construction?
Steel-frame systems like iFrame and Ultraframe represent the cutting edge of garden room engineering. Superior structural performance enables larger spans, more glass, and contemporary designs impossible with traditional timber construction.
💰 Typical Costs
- Basic steel-frame (4x3m): £38,000 - £45,000
- Premium iFrame (4x4m): £45,000 - £60,000
- Large studio (6x4m): £60,000 - £85,000
- Premium: 30% over timber
✅ Engineering Advantages
- Spans up to 6m (vs 3.5m timber)
- 80% glazing possible
- 40+ year lifespan
- Zero dimensional movement
⏱️ Installation Timeline
- Design & engineer: 4-6 weeks
- Manufacturing: 6-8 weeks
- Installation: 6-8 weeks
- Total: 4-6 months typical
Showing 17 steel-frame specialists
Crown House, 27 Old Gloucester Street
020 3818 5911
£20,000 - £60,000
Rear of 158 Main Road, Biggin Hill
01689 818 400
£18,000 - £55,000
Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire
01202 355346
£20,000 - £70,000
17 Heathside Place, Epsom Downs
01737 448 070
£22,000 - £65,000
Stoney Barn, Blounts Farm, Blounts Court Road, Sonning Common, Reading
0118 972 3380
£8,000 - £45,000
Farnham, Surrey Hampshire border
£15,000 - £50,000
Ashtead, Surrey
07706 304247
£20,000 - £55,000
Unit 9 West Horton Lane, Bishopstoke
07751 717052
£20,000 - £60,000
The Glasshouse Collective, The Nursery, Bagshot Road, Chobham
020 8088 3572
£20,000 - £60,000
26 Chestnut Avenue, Farnham
01252 412 449
£50,000 - £500,000
50a Portman Road
0118 958 2839
£18,000 - £65,000
152-160 City Road
0333 772 3087
£15,000 - £50,000
9 Downton Road, Bitterne Park
02380 559597
£25,000 - £80,000
Tilehurst
£18,000 - £65,000
The Bridge Workspace, 7b Parkshot
£30,000 - £90,000
Surrey Business Quarter, Guildford
01483 789 456
£25,000 - £75,000
Steel-Frame Garden Room Buying Guide
Steel-Frame vs Traditional Timber
Steel-frame garden rooms cost £38,000-£52,000 compared to £28,000-£38,000 for traditional timber frames (4m x 3m room). This 30% premium delivers significant engineering advantages: spans up to 6m versus 3.5m for timber, 40+ year lifespan versus 20-30 years, and the ability to incorporate 80% glass compared to timber's 60% maximum.
iFrame vs Ultraframe Systems
iFrame: The UK's premium steel-frame system with powder-coated steel posts and thermally-broken frames. Slimmest profiles (100mm posts) maximize glass. Designed for contemporary minimal aesthetics. 40-year structural warranty.
Ultraframe: Originally designed for conservatories, adapted for garden rooms. Slightly bulkier profiles but proven track record. Strong in traditional designs. 25-year warranty.
When Steel-Frame Makes Sense
Choose steel-frame for: large bi-fold door spans (4m+ openings), contemporary minimal-frame designs, rooms over 4.5m spans, green roofs (300kg/m²+ loading), cantilevers, or maximum glass areas. The premium is justified for complex designs and long-term investment properties.
Stick with timber for: budget-conscious projects, traditional aesthetics, standard rectangular rooms under 4m span, or when 60% glazing is sufficient. Timber remains "good enough" for 80% of garden room projects.
Thermal Performance
Steel conducts heat, requiring thermal breaks in the frame system. Quality steel-frame systems incorporate polyamide thermal breaks achieving U-values of 1.4-1.6 W/m²K. Without thermal breaks, steel frames create cold spots and condensation. Verify thermal break specification before proceeding.
Design Possibilities
Steel-frame construction enables architectural features impossible with timber: corner glazing without posts, 4-6m bi-fold door spans, cantilevers up to 1.5m, green roofs with intensive planting, and floor-to-ceiling glass walls. These contemporary designs define modern luxury garden rooms.