Construction glossary · Steel and structural
What is steel angle in construction?
A steel angle is an L shaped structural steel section, named by its two leg dimensions and thickness, such as L4x4x1/4 at 6.6 lb per ft. On commercial projects, angles serve as loose lintels over masonry openings, edge and shelf angles, bracing members, and frames around floor and roof openings. Estimators take them off in linear feet by size and convert to weight for fabricator pricing.
Updated June 2026 · Reviewed by the Ruh construction team
Steel angle (L-shape) section
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Book a walkthroughA steel angle is an L shaped hot rolled section called out by leg sizes and thickness, such as L4x4x1/4, which weighs 6.6 lb per ft. On commercial jobs angles show up as loose lintels over masonry openings, shelf and edge angles at slab and roof edges, kicker bracing, and frames around floor and roof openings. The structural drawings carry them in a lintel schedule, typical wall details, and general notes; many never appear on a plan view at all. The steel fabricator usually furnishes loose lintels, but the mason installs them, which makes them a classic scope gap item: if neither the steel sub nor the masonry sub carries the install, the GC eats it at buyout. New estimators miss lintels hidden in schedule notes, forget to add the bearing length when converting opening widths to lintel lengths, and double count edge angles that the embedded steel or miscellaneous metals package already carries.
Steel angles are taken off in linear feet by size, then converted to pounds or tons for fabricator pricing using the shape weight, 6.6 lb per ft for an L4x4x1/4. Loose lintels are counted per opening from the architectural elevations and the structural lintel schedule: opening width plus 8 inches of bearing, 4 inches each side, is the typical lintel length unless the schedule says otherwise. Continuous edge and shelf angles come off the framing plans as measured lengths. Round each lintel up to a practical cut length, keep a separate line item per angle size, and carry furnish and install as separate costs, because different subs often hold each side of that scope.
Worked example
A CMU wall elevation shows 8 door openings at 3 ft 4 in (40 in) wide and 2 window openings at 6 ft 0 in (72 in) wide, all carrying loose L4x4x1/4 lintels. Step 1, lintel length per opening is opening width plus 8 in of bearing, 4 in each side. Doors: 40 in + 8 in = 48 in = 4.0 ft each. Windows: 72 in + 8 in = 80 in = 6.67 ft each. Step 2, total length: 8 x 4.0 ft = 32.0 lf, and 2 x 6.67 ft = 13.34 lf, so 32.0 + 13.34 = 45.34 lf, carried as 46 lf. Step 3, weight: 46 lf x 6.6 lb per ft = 303.6 lb, about 0.15 tons. Step 4, price it: at an illustrative $1.80 per lb furnished, 303.6 lb x $1.80 = $546.48 for the lintel package, before galvanizing, delivery, or the mason's labor to set them.
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How Ruh handles steel angle
Ruh reads the structural and architectural sheets, pulls the lintel schedule and opening counts, and runs the angle takeoff opening by opening the way an estimator would. It then extends those linear feet and pounds against the contractor's own price book, so the unit costs are the contractor's real numbers, not a database average. The estimator reviews the lintel list, settles the furnish versus install scope call, and signs off before the quantities reach the bid.
See construction estimating softwareSteel angle: frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a loose lintel and a shelf angle?+
A loose lintel is a short angle that simply sits in the masonry over a single opening, bearing about 4 inches on each jamb, with no welds or anchors. A shelf angle, also called a relieving angle, is bolted or welded to the structure, runs continuously, and carries the veneer at each floor line. Price them differently: loose lintels are usually furnish only for the steel fabricator, while shelf angles include attachment hardware and erection labor.
Who installs loose lintels, the steel erector or the mason?+
On most commercial jobs the steel fabricator furnishes loose lintels and the mason sets them as the wall comes up, since they land in the masonry coursing rather than on the steel frame. This split is a known scope gap: check both the structural steel and masonry bid packages, because if the steel sub excludes install and the mason excludes furnish, the GC ends up either buying them twice or chasing them during construction.
Do loose lintels need to be galvanized?+
Exterior lintels in masonry veneer are usually hot dip galvanized or at minimum shop primed, because they sit in a wet wall cavity where rust staining and section loss are common failures. Check the miscellaneous metals spec section and the lintel schedule notes; galvanizing adds meaningful cost per pound, so carry it as its own takeoff line rather than burying it in the base steel price.
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Figures on this page are illustrative. Construction estimates depend on project-specific conditions, source documents, market pricing, and professional judgment. Ruh's AI assists the estimator and does not replace professional review: your team reviews, validates, and approves every estimate, bid, and pricing decision.