French doors replacing window - lintel question

[Cabbyfan]

Hi Everyone,

I am about to order French doors to replace the Window in my dining room. The French doors will be wider than the existing Window.

Building Control are asking that I remove the existing wooden lintel and replace with a steel beam (which I already have) do sit directly under the wall plate).

Questions ! :-

1. Property is a bungalow with a rear dormer. Do I need to prop anything before I remove the existing lintel or can I quickly swap in the new steel ?

2. If I choose to have the French doors not quite as high as the existing window, any suggestions as how to bridge the gap at the top etc

Thanks !

 

[^woody^]

See if the existing lintel is loose (or can be made loose with cutting any nails) and free of that wall plate. If it is, you can swap out without support, of not you should provide support.

You should put the new lintel at the level of the frame and make good above it. Otherwise it's a plastic or timber make up piece and cover strips.

 

[Cabbyfan]

Thanks Woody, its hard to tell of its loose or not because its slightly twisted. I can insert a coat hanger through the gap in a lot of places which makes me think its not actually supporting the wallplate hence my question.

As for the level of the lintel, the reason the top of the new frame may be lower is I think it will have to be due to the external height etc if that makes sense. I would prefer to have a separate wooden "lintel" directly above the new door frame and insulate / board above that. Also makes fixings for curtains or blinds much easier in the future too.

The pic below its the middle window, as you can see the window frame is right up into the soffet