Retro fitting lintel to cavity wall

Joined
11 Apr 2006
Messages
2,154
Reaction score
201
Location
Berkshire
Country
United Kingdom
I'm toying with the idea of widening my front door opening so that the new lobby feels less like it used to have a door in the middle.

This would mean removing the two 150mm piers on either side. I'm guessing the existing lintel won't have, say, 250mm overlaps into the walls, so I'll need to fit new, wider ones.

Am I better off trying to get a Catnic type steel cavity lintel in there, with it's massive bulge in the middle, or should I fit two steel box lintels that are only 75mm high so less of an issue?

Thanks

Gary
 
Sponsored Links
It's an old exterior wall that will now become an internal wall. So you'd put the concrete on the outer leaf, and catnic box lintel on the inner?

Gary
 
Its a cavity wall presumably? and though this was an outer wall, it is to become an internal wall? If so a concrete lintel under each skin of masonry will be fine. The chances that the original builder used oversized lintels is smaller than joe-90's brain, you will have to replace them.
 
Sponsored Links
Yes - it's an exterior cavity wall that will become an internal wall, so no particular insulation requirement.

The house is around 1930's, brick, with polystyrene ball insulation. Ex local authority. I've no idea how well they overspec'd the lintels in those days!

Gary
 
Right so you plan an extension etc that means your old entance door is redundant and the wall above it is completely water proof or a cavity tray is being installed.

In that case (unless the wall over has been removed and no roof load is coming down) the wall will be load bearing and a suitably sized lintel needs to pick up both leafs. But it doesnt need to be a tophat lintel and can be 2 concrete or steel box lintels. The depth will depend on the load on the wall from above.
 
Agree with the above posts, two concrete lintels will do, the spec will depend on the load being carried. As it's an extension I guess BC are being informed and they are likely to ask for calcs on the load and a suitable lintel to carry that, they usually go well over top, belt and braces.
So you may need a structural engineer to give you the correct spec.
 
Cheers guys, I'll take some plaster off to see what's there now and then see what BC say.

Gary
 

DIYnot Local

Staff member

If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.

Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.


Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local

 
Sponsored Links
Back
Top