Lintel over new extension 6m glass folding doors

[NazMR]

We're building an 8m length *3m wide extension with a shallow roof and 6m long glass bi-folding doors.

Our architect suggested that we need to put a lintel above the glass door, as expected as it'll also support the supporting roof that will hold two skylights.

The lintel brand he's recommended is approx £500 per metre.

I'm not in the trade, but this seems way expensive. Appreciate any advice about whether this is about right, what type of lintels we ought to look at and what we can do!

Thanks in advance.

 

[Static]

6m is a massive distance to span a standard lintel.. most will only do about 4.8-5m max.. either break the span with a mid distance column or stick in a steel beam..

 

[NazMR]

So i'm guessing that a steel beam will do the same job as concrete (?) lintel?

Any rough ideas about how much we should be paying for this?

 

[Static]

No off the shelf concrete lintel could span that kind of distance.. and yes a beam would do the same job if not better.. costs well no idea.. you would need to get it designed and sized to get someone to give you a price..

Is it supporting any wall over, first floor joists, existing building roof etc?

 

[NazMR]

Steel beam cut and designed sounds pricey. Will check out.

The idea is that it supports a shallow slope roof for the one storey open plan extension.

 

[Static]

So what supports the rest of the house on that elevation?

 

[noseall]

So what supports the rest of the house on that elevation?

It's a single storey extension Stats.

Steel beam cut and designed sounds pricey. Will check out.

The idea is that it supports a shallow slope roof for the one storey open plan extension.

A steel beam is the only practical way to go and this should have been designed into the build and proved by a structural engineer or someone similarly qualified.

As for cost, there is no getting away from the fact that you are spanning a large distance (6m), so this is likely to be an expensive item. The beam will probably need holes drilling in the top web as to allow a wall plate to be bolted directly to the web.

As for size - consult an S.E. or ask your architect to...er...do his job which is to specify the most affordable materials.

 

[Static]

So what supports the rest of the house on that elevation?

It's a single storey extension Stats.

Ah.. ah!! (penny drops) so the doors are on the external face of the new extension.. sorry mistook it to be on the internal side..
Anyways most of these doors are hung from the top on a runner that can make them weigh quite a bit.. so will need something that doesnt deflect much or youll never push the doors along.. most door manufacturers can recommend a solution they prefer to connect to..

 

[theoldun]

Your architect is about right with his price
IG lintels do a heavy duty lintel called an L6/100.
The longest is 6600 long with a minimum bearing of 200mm Price about £450.00 per metre less what ever discount you can get.
Lintel will stand you in about £3000.00 less discount
6400 USB with welded plate if required, and a few holes drilled if required will stand you in at about £550.00, including waste and cuts. S.E to design size.

oldun

 

[NazMR]

Thanks oldun...

... good to know our architect isn't quoting as the most elaborate/expensive option!

May discusse alternative option as the build price is shooting up. Gulp!

 

[Deluks]

Ever wondered why architects get paid a fixed percentage of build cost?

 

[wavetrain]

Ever wondered why architects get paid a fixed percentage of build cost?

I didn't know that....

Sounds to me you need a new architect, or are most architects like this?

... good to know our architect isn't quoting as the most elaborate/expensive option!

He enjoys you spending your money however.

Has this been done on Grand Designs? - I think it has and the doors kept on jamming.

Your architect should take a look at old and new bridge designs and try to teach himself some basics of civil engineering.

How do you feel about having a suspension bridge (disguised perhaps as a water feature) acting as a beam?

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Ever wondered why architects get paid a fixed percentage of build cost?

I didn't know that....

Sounds to me you need a new architect, or are most architects like this?

No, it varies.