Window installation

[Shore968]

Hi everyone

Weve had to have part of our wall rebuilt next to one of the windows and have revealed the wooden windows have been what seems a bodge of installation.

Its a 300 year old property so everything is in lime motor apart from these windows . It is now apparent the windows have been installed using foam as a middle layer with cement motor ontop, both side. Is this a major concern or should I go around an remove and re-instate everything with just lime motor?

My biggest worry is there is nothing supporting the lintel above the window casement if its just foam.

Thanks

 

[RandomGrinch]

Hi,

I'm only a DIY'er, so I could be wrong!

It sounds like you may be overthinking a little!
Although it is not the most sympathetic of installations, expanding foam is a recognised way of fixing findows in place.
It is better if there are also mechanical fixings though!

And the windows shouldn't be supporting lintels in the first place! - the lintel is there to stop excessive loads being transferred to a fragile window.

As for the mortar; the most sympathetic solution would probably be to replace with lime. But if you are not having any issues with the mortar, that can be a job for another day!

I hope that helps

 

[ronniecabers]

Expanding foam is very pften used to fill voids and help fix the window, Mechanical fixings should always be used ( eg screws! ) and as Randomgrinch says that window should not be supporting that Lintel , The Lintel should be ' tied ' into the brick/stone work, at least 150mm wider than the window opening ideally..each side