Dio-Met Fabrications

Dio-Met Fabrications: bespoke architectural metalwork from Sheffield

Dio-Met Fabrications is a family-run architectural metalwork manufacturer based in Sheffield. The company designs, fabricates and installs balconies, balustrades, staircases, handrails, glass floors and wine cellar doors. It states that it has worked from the same city for 35 years, since 1991, and that most of its output is bespoke: each balcony or staircase is drawn, cut and welded for a specific opening on a specific building.

The company presents itself as a manufacturer rather than a reseller. Steel is cut, welded, finished and quality checked in its Sheffield factory by its own employees. This in-house setup allows it to assess whether a sketched design will work and to make alterations during a job without relying on an overseas supplier. Complex items, particularly staircases, are trial built in the workshop before galvanising and delivery, so problems are identified in Sheffield rather than on a distant site.

Balustrades, balconies and Juliet systems

Dio-Met supplies a range of metal and glass balustrade systems, including frameless glass, powder-coated metal and stainless steel options. These are available supply-only or with a professional survey and installation service. The walkout balcony and Juliet range covers steel and glass walkout balcony systems as well as glass and metal Juliet balconies. The company states that its balcony systems are UKCA certified and offers bespoke quotations that can include installation.

Wine cellar doors and glass floor hatches

A distinct part of the business is wine cellar glass doors. Dio-Met describes itself as the world’s leading manufacturer and direct supplier of high-specification wine cellar doors, a claim attributed to the company’s own presentation. The range includes manual gas-strut and electric opening glass floor hatches, in circular and rectangular options, available from stock or made to order. Electric models offer remote control functionality and custom ‘Z’ shaped openings. The company says its UKCA-certified systems come fully assembled for simple installation worldwide.

Staircases, well covers and walk-on glass

Metal staircases are made to order in Sheffield, covering internal and external steel staircases and spiral stairs. The range runs from functional galvanised stairs to high-end floating oak tread staircases with glass balustrades. Fire escape stairs are also part of the offer.

For floor openings, Dio-Met produces square, rectangular and round glass floor panels in 25.5, 31.5 and 33 mm thicknesses for internal or external use. Elsewhere the site refers to structural walk-on floor glass from 25.5 mm to 39 mm, all made to measure. Glass well covers and circular hatches are listed alongside walk-on glass and steel frameworks.

Handrails, canopies and other metalwork

The company makes handrails and bannister rails to suit different budgets and requirements, with simple sections available off the shelf in a variety of lengths, finishes and colours. All handrails are designed and manufactured by Dio-Met, so bespoke variations can be accommodated.

Glass door canopies are designed and manufactured in Sheffield. Standard sizes to suit common door sizes are stocked, while bespoke variations can be produced. The wider catalogue also includes toughened glass from 6 mm to 39 mm thick, made to order, as well as railings and gates that can be tailored or bought in standard sizes. A home and garden line covers washing line poles, shed security bars and shade sail posts.

Certification and quality standards

Structural steelwork is manufactured under a certified factory production control system. Every structural item is UKCA marked to BS EN 1090-2 and supplied with a Declaration of Performance for building control sign-off. Dio-Met notes that not all fabricators can produce this certificate and that it is the document a building control officer will expect to see. Glass floors are stated to meet BS EN 1991-1-1 load-bearing standards, and the company uses an invisible chemical anti-slip treatment that it says is superior to acid-etching for maintaining structural integrity and transparency in wine hatches and well covers. Material finishes and quality standards are set out in detail on a dedicated page covering hot dip galvanising, powder coating, stainless grades and toughened glass.

Customers and ways of working

Most customers are homeowners, for example those with French doors upstairs and nothing across them, a landing that needs guarding, or a cellar they want to see into. Dio-Met also works with developers, schools, offices and industrial sites. Clients can choose a full survey, manufacture and installation package, or have items made to their sizes and sent out for their own fitter to install. The company describes the second option as a perfectly sensible way to buy.

Projects cited on the site include a steel and ash staircase in Manchester, Juliet balconies on a roof terrace, dock stairs, two walk-on glass floors, frameless glass and louvred privacy screens, handrails and a bespoke commercial bracket. A kite winder staircase was trial built in the workshop before being sent to Guernsey.