Under stairs cupboard, lintel in block work or not!?

[matada34]

Hi,

Im looking to put a cupboard under my stairs which I can access from the kitchen, the understairs space is currently connected to the lounge and generally gets used for storing cluttter! Boarding this off and using it as a kitchen cupboard seems far better.

However, the partition between the lounge and the kitchen/dining room is 2/3rds block work and 1/3rd stud walling. The part under the stairs is the block work.

Can I just cut a door way into this block work or is it structural? Does this add support to the outside wall? The only thing we can see is that there is a perling/big joist!? which rests on part of the wall which is on the inner side of the stairs. People have suggested to just get on with it but put a chunky door frame up if I'm concerned, other say just put a lintel in for safe keeping.

Should I be getting this work done by a builder?! Myself and a mate are a dab hand at DIY and could take this job on no problem with a lintle.... I just wanted to make sure I'm not missing a trick.

Thanks for looking, Matt

 

[matada34]

Untitled

• matada34
• 22 Oct 2014
• 1

 

[matada34]

Does anyone have any suggestions here?

 

[regsmyth]

Some photos would help I think.
What is this big "joist" holding up?
A lintel sounds like a good idea, but not sure if you have enough height?

 

[matada34]

The 'big' joist goes round the stairs and supports the joists across the house from this. There is just about enough height but for safe keeping im planning on having a reduced height door, at least high enough to get the ironing board, hoover in etc!