Advice on windows Lintels

[tellme_why]

Hi,

First floor bedroom, window box has a big hole from previous attempts of installing roller blinds.

House is a sixties build and the roof is almost flush to the top of the window (see pictures).

Can anyone advise how to fill the gap (with structural material so I can fit a roller blind)?

Also what's the build arrangement for these types of windows? I cannot see if there is any lintel at all. The Panel with the hole is stronger than drywall but softer than wood - it seems some sort or pressed wood or something.. not sure..

Many Thanks

 

[tellme_why]

.. hi I just realised that there is no lintel at all .. the roof is flush to the top of the window so there are no bricks above. Above the window it's just empty .

Can I install a large piece of wood to strengthen the top part and close the hole?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Can I install a large piece of wood to strengthen the top part and close the hole?

I would cut a piece of 6mm plywood, so it is a perfect fit to cover the entire width and depth, then screw, and glue that in place. Use countersunk screws, and sink them a little below the surface, then fill and paint.

 

[accelerator]

How do you intend to fit the roller blind? Within the recess (in which case where will you have the brackets) or over the recess?

 

[tellme_why]

How do you intend to fit the roller blind? Within the recess (in which case where will you have the brackets) or over the recess?

Hi, I won't screw in the roller blind anymore now that I know it's a void up there. I only want to close the hole..

 

[johnny2007]

A piece of plasterboard attached to the existing will do the trick.

 

[accelerator]

I would cut a rectangular section around the hole, then find some similar material, and glue a new rectangular section in place with strong adhesive. If you want to secure it better, you could glue a lip on to the top of one of the long sides of the new rectangle, which will help hold it in place as you glue it in from below.

 

[tellme_why]

Hi, I attempted to access the hole from the loft, but there is no access, so I can only do the job from the room.
I found out that there is a big wooden Joist running above the window frame to which I assume to plasterboard panels have been nailed to: The one inside the window frame (yellow) and the one flush with the bedroom wall.

To close up the hole I would screw in a piece of mdf or plasterboard to the butt of the Joist above.

This is less than ideal because the connection would be flimsy - with screws only on one side of the squared panel, without support on the other side.

The alternative is to cut further the plasterboard say 10cm up to the wall so the screws would be fixed to the joist butt but sited on the centre of MDF so more strength? I am reluctant cutting the plasterboard further as I cannot see how it's fixed and wish to avoid a mess..?

Any advice?

 

[accelerator]

It's not weight bearing, so in my view there's no need to screw it. Just cut out an exact fill piece, and glue it in with some strong adhesive, e.g. gorilla glue.

 

[tellme_why]

thanks, the piece of mdf would be glued to the butt of the joist on side, with nothing else on the other side -won't this too weak? Should I cut mode pasterboard and glue the mdf at its centre?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

thanks, the piece of mdf would be glued to the butt of the joist on side, with nothing else on the other side -won't this too weak? Should I cut mode pasterboard and glue the mdf at its centre?

I would avoid anything which might suffer from damp, or moisture, hence why I suggested a piece of ply. Just cut it to fit neatly in place, screw, glue and paint.

 

[tellme_why]

I would avoid anything which might suffer from damp, or moisture, hence why I suggested a piece of ply. Just cut it to fit neatly in place, screw, glue and paint.

Hi, plasterer came to see the room and the hole and said "you don't plaster plywood mate"... Is he right?

Many Thanks

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Hi, plasterer came to see the room and the hole and said "you don't plaster plywood mate"... Is he right?

Many Thanks

Yes, if you are plastering, use plasterboard. You didn't mention your intension to plaster over it.

 

[tellme_why]

Super proud DIYer .. managed to fit a supporting piece of wood with help of Missus holding the Dewalt and me directing the screwdriver holder in a very fiddling location. I'll then screw a piece of plaster flush to the joist and the new supporting piece oo wood.

Wondering whether I should remove the supporting steel plate or add some equally thick material to make the plaster sitting even / flush?

 

[Deluks]

You don't need that bottom plate. You could just apply glue to the lot and stick the plasterboard to the wood.
If screwing into that block, do a small pilot hole for the screw.

For attaching a blind or curtain rail, I'd be thinking of a single strip of PSE timber, 3x1 or 4x1, paint it white and screw it into the timbers above. A bit of adhesive on the back won't hurt.