Wire Sawing Through 900mm Reinforced Concrete at the National Portrait Gallery London
Diamond Drilling UK used a Pentruder wire saw to cut a 2.2m Γ 1m doorway through up to 900mm of reinforced concrete at the National Portrait Gallery, London β protecting priceless paintings throughout.The Project at a Glance
π Location: National Portrait Gallery, London
π Opening size: 2.2m high Γ 1m wide
𧱠Concrete thickness: 650mm at the top, 900mm at the base
βοΈ Method: Pentruder diamond wire sawing
β οΈ Key constraint: Zero vibration β priceless paintings on the walls inside
The Challenge
The National Portrait Gallery houses one of the greatest art collections in the world. Before a single cut could be planned, one rule was made absolutely clear:
No vibration. No exceptions.
Here's why:
The gallery's paintings β many centuries old and irreplaceable β are highly sensitive to percussive shock
Even low-level vibration travelling through the building's structure can loosen aged paint layers and damage canvas
Any method that struck, chiselled, or impacted the concrete was completely off the table
This immediately ruled out:
β Hydraulic breakers
β Any percussive cutting method
The wall itself made things harder still:
650mm of heavily reinforced concrete at the head of the opening
900mm of heavily reinforced concrete at the base
Dense steel reinforcement throughout
The Solution: Pentruder Wire Sawing
Diamond Drilling UK deployed a Pentruder diamond wire saw β one of the most advanced concrete cutting systems available anywhere in the world.
Why the Pentruder was the right tool:
β
Cuts through reinforced concrete of any thickness
β
No percussive force β the diamond wire slices continuously with no striking or impact
β
Near-silent operation
β
Zero shock transmitted beyond the cut line
β
Clean, straight, accurate cut faces every time
How the Job Was Done
Cutting 900mm of reinforced concrete in one piece and extracting it safely isn't possible β the weight alone would have made it unmanageable and dangerous. Instead, the team worked methodically:
The opening was wire sawed into a series of planned sections β each sized to be safe and practical to handle
Each section was fully supported throughout the cutting process
Each piece was lifted clear of the opening under controlled conditions
Every section was palletised and removed from site cleanly
The result:
β
Clean, accurate opening with straight edges
β
No cracking or spalling to the surrounding structure
β
No vibration transmitted into the building
β
Gallery collection undisturbed throughout
β
Delivered on programme
Why You Should Always Use a Specialist
The wrong contractor on a project like this could have caused irreversible damage to artworks of national importance. Here is what Diamond Drilling UK bring to every sensitive project:
The right equipment β We own and operate the Pentruder wire saw with fully trained, experienced operatives
Understanding the why β Knowing vibration was prohibited because of the paintings shaped every decision on site, not just the cutting method
Full documentation β Method statements, risk assessments, COSHH records, and toolbox talks produced for every project as standard
Precision β Openings cut straight, square, and to tolerance, ready for lintels and frames without remedial work
Full insurance β Comprehensive public liability and contractor's all-risk cover on every project
When to Call Diamond Drilling UK
If your project involves any of the following, we should be your first call:
ποΈ Heritage or listed buildings
π₯ Occupied hospitals or care homes
π₯οΈ Live data centres
ποΈ Thick or heavily reinforced concrete
π Environments where vibration or noise must be minimised
π Openings where precision is critical
Our services include:
Diamond core drilling β any diameter, any depth, any substrate
Stitch drilling β large openings in reinforced concrete, brick, and masonry
Concrete breaking and controlled demolition
Diamond floor sawing and track sawing
Wire sawing for complex profiles and deep cuts
Wall chasing and service penetrations
Ring sawing and hand sawing
πOperating across London and the UK.
Get in Touch
π www.diamonddrillinguk.com
π§ info@diamonddrillinguk.com
π Phone: 020 3286 3428 / 01424 720259
Call or email us today for a free, no-obligation quote.
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