Window into new Entrance Door

[Panmure]

Hi,
I'm planning to open up an existing window into a new main doorway (interior to exterior).

Other work in the house mean that I'm loosing my existing front door so I want to make a new one into my sittingroom. I think that one of the windows in the sittingroom was once a doorway (old neighbours say it was and the wall is thin and newer there - there's also built in book case beneath the window).

Here are the facts:
It's an old house - 1800? built of local stone and lime and mortar.
There's an old (supporting) beam sitting immediately next to the window lintel.

Can I just trust that the lintel above the window will be fine if I'm just removing the window beneath? The window frame is pretty small 50mm x50 each side - do they ever carry load?

If I take out the (newer) brick wall beneath the window, is there any danger of the old walls eitherside sagging into the door space - ie: could this newer wall be bracing the old sides?

Any help or experience anecdotes are very welcome!

Thanks!

(see my post on "Porch" for the porch I plan to put over the doorway).

 

[Static]

As long as you are not making the opening any wider it should be fine, but condition of the existing lintel should be check, you may find there isnt one - in which case it may need replacing.