Triple A-Frame Portal Frame Installed in Cumwhitton Near Carlisle

Triple A-Frame Portal Frame Installation in Cumwhitton, Carlisle

At J Johnstone Engineering, we recently completed the fabrication and installation of a triple A-frame portal frame for a residential project in Cumwhitton, near Carlisle, Cumbria.

This structural steel framework was designed to support a striking architectural feature — a large floor-to-ceiling glass window with an open-fronted balcony. The design required precision fabrication, structural integrity, and careful on-site coordination to achieve both strength and visual impact.

Fabricated to EN1090 Class 2 Standard

The portal frames were manufactured in-house at our Silloth workshop in Cumbria, in full compliance with EN1090 Execution Class 2.

Working from structural drawings supplied by the client, our coded welding team fabricated the triple A-frame system to exact specification. EN1090 Class 2 certification ensures the steelwork meets stringent European standards for structural load-bearing applications — particularly important for residential builds incorporating large glazed elevations and balcony structures.

By keeping fabrication in-house, we maintained:

Full quality control
Accurate tolerances
Certified welding procedures
Reliable turnaround times

Supporting Floor-to-Ceiling Glazing & Balcony Structure

A triple A-frame portal frame system provides exceptional strength while allowing for open internal spaces and expansive glazing.

In this case, the structure needed to:

Support significant roof loads
Provide stability for a large glazed frontage
Allow for an open-fronted balcony
Maintain clean architectural lines

Portal frames are often associated with agricultural or commercial buildings, but increasingly they are being used in high-end residential projects across Cumbria and the Lake District for their strength and design flexibility.

Delivery and On-Site Erection in Carlisle

Once fabrication was complete, the steelwork was transported to site in Cumwhitton by our team.

Installation involved:

Coordinated delivery
Mobile crane lift
Precision positioning
Bolted assembly on site

The frames were bolted together to ensure structural security and accurate alignment in accordance with the supplied engineering drawings.

Our experienced site team worked alongside other trades to ensure the installation was completed safely and efficiently, ready for the glazing and follow-on works.

Structural Steelwork Across Carlisle & North Cumbria

This project highlights the type of structural steel solutions we regularly deliver across:

Carlisle
North Cumbria
The Lake District
Surrounding towns and rural developments

From single beam installations for extensions to complex portal frame structures for new builds, J Johnstone Engineering provides fabrication, delivery and installation services backed by nearly four decades of experience.

Structural Steel Portal Frames in Cumbria

If you’re planning a new build, self-build, or architect-led project requiring structural steelwork in Carlisle or the Lake District, our team can provide EN1090-compliant fabrication and professional site installation from start to finish.