Lintels

[Nige62]

How can I tell if a lintel is strong enough to support a floor.
The reason that I ask this is that I want to beef up the current ceiling joists and put down a floor so use an a hobby room.
The property is a semi detached chalet style house (2 floors, loft above) but the roof starts at groundfloor level which gives a small loft space on the first floor. Its this space that I intend to use.

Thanks everyone, Nige

 

[DAZB]

It may not be the lintels that you need to assess as your bedroom ceilings/loft floor may be supported by your internal bedroom walls. You will need to determine which ones are loadbearing if any and where they support in relation to the area you want to adapt. The spans involved and the positions of supporting walls is the main key to wether it can be done fairly cheaply or wether you are ringing your local RSJ stockists.

 

[Nige62]

The lintel is in a supporting wall that the joists will be supported on and is about 5ft 6" wide (size of window). The roof is supported directly above this lintel ( at the eaves) which makes me think it should be strong enough but I just wanted to make sure.
Thanks for the reply.