Lintels

[wmathias]

Thanks for replying Chaps!!!

A few questions


>>Subject to the timber lintel being sound I would be inclined to leave it >>insitu


When you mention the timber lintel, are you referring to A or B or Both (I’ve labelled them below)


>>Prop it whilst you cut out the old window frame head and brick up the >>bearings.

Where would the props go exactly? Below A or below B?

Are you saying to remove B and brick and concrete below it to make up the space up to A

(A doesn't extend any further left than you can see in the picture, it's not in contact with any bricks apart from those above it)?




>>However you'll need to check - What size is timber lintel; is it hardwood >>or softwood; how wide is span; what load is it supporting etc.

1.9 m wide with about fourty rows of bricks, a window and a roof above. Looks like hardwood from what I can see.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Because at the moment it looks like the lintel is bearing directly onto the head of the window frame. The photos seem to show that the lintel has no direct bearing within the wall.

Yes - I know it will need to be properly supported, as you said,

... brick up the bearings.

But the lintel itself?

What about leaving the window frame head in place?

 

[wmathias]

My money's on a 6x4 timber lintel on the inside.

Good Job Tony BTW!!

 

[wmathias]

Because at the moment it looks like the lintel is bearing directly onto the head of the window frame. The photos seem to show that the lintel has no direct bearing within the wall.

Yes - I know it will need to be properly supported, as you said,

... brick up the bearings.

But the lintel itself?

What about leaving the window frame head in place?

I like this idea!! then I'll fit a wooden frame vertically and across top and bottom and fit the upvc frame inside that. What do you think?

No need to hire acrows either?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I like this idea!! then I'll fit a wooden frame vertically and across top and bottom and fit the upvc frame inside that. What do you think?

Thoughts re fitting UPVC french doors?

They aren't very nice, and it would be a shame to do that to an Edwardian house which still has at least some period detailing still present - possibly a lot.

No need to hire acrows either?

I have no particular expertise, and wouldn't like to give definite advice based on the photos - would you be removing the main vertical members of the existing frame? They look substantial, and could be providing some support.

 

[wmathias]

I have no particular expertise, and wouldn't like to give definite advice based on the photos - would you be removing the main vertical members of the existing frame? They look substantial, and could be providing some support.

Good post mate.

Maybe 2 props, one third and two thirds the way across the span, cut the vertical wood away and put in new vertical beams attached to the current window top cross member.

Many thanks for your help!

 

[wessex101]

A is the lintel, B is the window head.

To prop just take out the central fanlight above the doors and cut out a 300mm section of the head (B). Put in a single acro (fiver for the week to hire last time I had to hire one). Then cut out the projecting horns on the frame head and brick up the bearings under the lintel ends.

You might get away without propping it at all but for the sake of a fiver and 20 minutes work I can't see the point in taking the risk.

 

[wmathias]

A is the lintel, B is the window head.

To prop just take out the central fanlight above the doors and cut out a 300mm section of the head (B). Put in a single acro (fiver for the week to hire last time I had to hire one). Then cut out the projecting horns on the frame head and brick up the bearings under the lintel ends.

You might get away without propping it at all but for the sake of a fiver and 20 minutes work I can't see the point in taking the risk.

Was the lintel (A) installed with the frame (B) doing an integrated part of the supporting job (because A rests on B not on brick)?

If so, shouldn’t I replace or keep B rather than remove it?

When you say ‘brick up’ what do you mean specifically?

Many thanks sir!

 

[wessex101]

Frame head B is integrated at the moment but depending on the size of the lintel, A, I do not believe it was intended to be.

If the lintel is minimum 4" x 4" and is sound (that split running along the centre looks a bit dubious) together with the brick arch externally should be fine. Subject to other checks, obviously if there is a point load just out of shot then all bets are off.

By brick up I mean build bricks into the gap left by removal of the frame head so the timber lintel is sitting directly on brickwork....not floating in mid air.

 

[wmathias]

The lintel is 3" x 3" so I'd better keep the frame header too.

Would you all recommend concreting below/around the brickwork at the ends of the lintel for strength?