What Lintel are these

[Bouba]

Above the Upvc windows of terraced houses build in 1930,there seems to be a tiles sandwiched with mortar.

Just wondering what function do these serve.Are these substitute of lintel or is there a lintel above it.These tiles have a slight overhang as well.

Thanks.

 

[ree]

It sounds like tile creasing - a method of throwing water off and protecting the frame below.

They are not lintels and dont have any structural function.

Carefully examine below the tile and just above the frame and you should reveal any lintel. The head rails (supported by their mullions) of the old wooden frames sometimes used to act as "lintels"

Do you have any damp or structural issues around the frames?

 

[Bouba]

Thanks Ree.The windows were replaced with Upvc, before I purchased the house.Only issue is as you look at the window from outside,it looks like its bent in the middle a bit (not a lot but definitely not straight).Does this mean lintel is gone.

The walls are pebble dashed, so difficult to see the lintel underneath.If I remove these tiles what would be the best lintel to install(concrete or rsj) if the outer lintel is cracked or missing.

The internal lintel is timber.How does one tie in the new lintel to the old one, as the walls are all solid joined.

 

[tony1851]

Often, the tile creasing serves a dual purpose;

it projects slightly to help clear rainwater from the head of the window, and it can also be used to level up the courses of brickwork when the top of the frame doesn't line up with the courses of brick.

In your case, if the wall is pebbledashed, they would form the finish with a little curve down to the edge of the tiles, a feature known as a bell-cast.

If yours is a 1930's house, it's likely that there will be a timber lintel supporting the inner half of the wall; the outer skin would probably have been supported off the original frame, which would have been substantial enough.

This forum is littered with complaints about flimsy PVC windows being put in and the brickwork above cracking as a consequence.

If you have to install a lintel, just use a piece of steel angle (or one of the patented angle-lintels, such as Catnic).

 

[jeds]

Problem with 1930s houses is that you never know what you are going to find. As Tony says, timber lintels are common. These can decay and weaken over the years. It's also common to find that the only lintel is a soldier course of bricks. Over years the lintel or soldier course ends up sitting down on the timber windows. No problem for 1930s timber windows, which were always substantial, bit more of a problem for PVC-u windows, which (on their own) have no real strength. Reality is you won't know without opening up and having a proper look.

 

[Bouba]

View media item 77247
Where is lintel? Confused.

 

[tony1851]

View media item 77247
Where is lintel?

There might not be one on for the outer skin.

Untitled

• tony1851
• 11 May 2014
• 1

 

[Bouba]

Is it normal for outer skin for having no lintel.

Unable to open the window. It seems stuck. Would a steel angle be sufficient or concrete one.

 

[stuart45]

It used to be quite common. Even in the 70's I have worked on sites where the outer skin was on the timber frames with 3 courses of bricktor in the joints.
Once the UPVC frames are in you can get problems like yours with glass cracking and frames sticking.

 

[Bouba]

so looking at the picture,if I was to replace this upvc window with a mullion going all the way to the bottom of glass,would that suffice.

If the tile creasing is only holding couple of courses of brickwork above would a concrete lintel be OTT, or a L shaped galavanised one would be ok.

Finally is this in the scope of diy or would builders need to be hired.

Thanks.

 

[stuart45]

Steel lintel would be fine. A few courses of brickwork can put enough pressure on a frame, as there is no arching effect that you have with a lot more brickwork on top.
I have seen just a soldier course and nothing above crack a pane.