Structural fabrication, railings, and gates built to code for property managers and contractors.
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Structural Welding Services in the South Sound
Structural Steel Columns Built for Load-Bearing Performance
Bare Ornamental Iron LLC fabricates and installs structural steel columns for contractors, builders, and property owners across the South Sound.
Steel Column Fabrication for Commercial and Residential Framing
Structural steel columns are the backbone of any building that needs to carry serious weight, whether that's a second-story addition, a commercial mezzanine, or a garage bay with a long clear span. Our shop handles the full process in-house: cutting, welding, drilling base plates, and finishing each column to the specs your architect or engineer provided. Every column is engineered to carry real loads and built to pass inspection the first time.
We work from stamped drawings whenever they're available, and we can also help contractors size and detail metal support columns for smaller residential jobs where a full engineering package isn't required. Either way, every weld is made by our certified welding team using procedures that hold up to inspection and real-world load testing.
Materials range from standard A36 structural steel to heavier wall tube and wide-flange sections, depending on what the span and load calculations call for. We finish columns with primer, paint, or a galvanized coating so they're ready for the elements before they ever leave our Tacoma shop.
Column Types and Fabrication Options
Not every project needs the same column, so we build to the specific load path, aesthetic, and budget of the job. Our structural welding services cover a wide range of shapes, finishes, and connection details for both new construction and retrofit work.
Round and square hollow structural sections (HSS) for clean, modern lines
Wide-flange (I-beam) columns for heavier commercial and multi-story loads
Custom base plates and cap plates drilled to your anchor bolt layout
Decorative sleeves and wraps for columns that stay exposed to view
Fireproofing-ready surfaces for code-required commercial applications
Field-welded splice connections for columns too long to ship in one piece
Why Contractors Choose Bare Ornamental Iron
Certified Welding Services You Can Build On
Certified Welding Craftsmanship on Every Job
Our welders hold current certifications and follow industry-standard procedures, so every column ships with a weld quality that inspectors trust and engineers can stamp with confidence.
In-House Commercial Metal Fabrication
We cut, weld, drill, and finish columns under one roof at our Tacoma shop, which keeps tolerances tight and lets us turn around change orders without waiting on an outside vendor.
Built for South Sound Job Sites
We've delivered and installed columns on projects from downtown Tacoma to Olympia and Seattle, so we know how to schedule around tight urban lots, ferry-dependent job sites, and everything in between.
From Drawings to Delivery
Our Structural Column Fabrication Process
Every column we build moves through the same four stages, whether it's one post for a residential remodel or a full set for a commercial frame.
- 01
Plans and Load Review
We review your architectural or structural drawings, confirm column sizes, base plate details, and finish requirements, and flag anything that needs engineer sign-off before fabrication starts.
- 02
Shop Fabrication
Our team cuts material to length, fits base and cap plates, and completes all welding in our controlled shop environment where we can hold tight tolerances and document weld quality.
- 03
Finish and Inspection
Columns get primed, painted, or galvanized depending on their exposure, and we run an internal check against the drawings before anything leaves the shop.
- 04
Delivery and Installation
We deliver to your job site and set columns in place, or coordinate with your crane and crew schedule for larger commercial installs where timing matters.
Our Services
Other Ironwork and Metal Fabrication Services
Beyond structural columns, our shop handles a full range of ornamental and functional ironwork for homes and businesses throughout the South Sound.
Custom driveway and entry gates fabricated to match your property and secure it for the long haul.
View iron gate options
Decorative and security-grade casings that protect entry points without hiding their style.
See window and door casings
Hand-forged metal wall art and custom decor pieces built to order in our Tacoma shop.
Browse ornamental iron art
Custom pipe railing installation for stairs, porches, ramps, and balconies.
Learn about pipe railings
Custom railings, fences, and fabrication built specifically for homes and yards.
Discover residential ironwork
Durable, custom-fit fencing that adds security and curb appeal to any property.
Check out fence installation
Custom stair and balcony railings fabricated for both indoor and outdoor use.
View railing servicesStructural Column Fabrication Across the South Sound
We deliver and install structural steel columns for contractors and property owners throughout our home region and the surrounding communities.
Common Questions
Structural Column Questions From Contractors and Builders
01 What is the typical cost of structural steel columns?
Cost depends on column size, wall thickness, base plate detail, and finish. A simple residential support post runs less than a wide-flange column engineered for a commercial mezzanine, so we quote every job after reviewing your drawings or site conditions.
02 How long does steel column fabrication take?
Most residential projects are ready in one to two weeks from approved drawings. Larger commercial orders with multiple columns or custom finishes can take three to four weeks depending on our shop schedule and material availability.
03 Do you work from stamped engineering drawings?
Yes. We fabricate to whatever your engineer or architect has specified, including base plate bolt patterns, weld symbols, and finish callouts. If you don't have stamped drawings yet, we can help size standard residential support columns.
04 Can you match columns to an existing building's finish?
Yes. We finish columns in primer, paint, or galvanizing, and we can add decorative sleeves or wraps so a structural column blends with the rest of a commercial storefront or residential facade.
Get a Quote on Your Structural Column Project
If you're framing an addition, building out a commercial space, or replacing a failing support post, our shop can fabricate the structural steel columns your project calls for and get them installed on schedule.