Fitting a Concrete Lintel

[mm289]

As this place is the source of all knowledge

Need to fit a concrete lintel whilst replacing some windows on the house (the PO had installed uPVC with no lintel and has destroyed the brick arch over beyond repair )

So building control have approved the work and advised a 140x100 lintel. Will be using an 1800mm lintel with 200mm each side as bearers. So couple of questions (which may be really dumb)

1.When fitting the lintel is it laid "upright" i.e. with the 140mm going vertical, or flat with the 140mm going horizontal?

2.What is the difference in types of concrete lintel? I am looking at pre-stressed but have seen other types mentioned?

3.To get the window the right height the lintel will have to sit on a half height brick. I can cut a brick or use a piece of concrete paver as a bed, was then going to level it with slate bedded into the mortar. Any problems with this approach?

Cheers,

MM

 

[Pete.]

Lintels always sit on their narrow edge, if you need extra width use several side by side. A 1.8 x 140 x 100 is going to weigh around 70kg, so figure on getting help to put it up and something sturdy to stand on. No need for slate you can bed it directly onto brick mortar. If you want to keep a nice face on the brick cut one to height and leave enough for the mortar. Otherwise you could set it on a small pad of 3:1 sharp sand/cement with non-shrink additive.

 

[addjunkie]

The concrete lintel normally sits behind a catnic type steel lintel that supports the load, with out been seem from the outside not sure how this would work with an arch

 

[Fazerruss]

You only mention one lintel, what's supporting the inside course of brick?

 

[gaz1]

id advise a couple of acrows and a way to bridge the gap inbetween to hold the bricks above as more often than not some bricks do fall down when window is taken out

its there more as a support just in case also note any work near it can lossen it so prepare both sides first

you can use either concrete or steel lintel but as suggested you may need 2 lintels one outside one inside unless on a steel lintel inside

 

[Seadog]

The Catnic doesn't need another lintel from my limited experience of them. If you backing a brick arch you would sit the bottom of the lintel higher than the bottom of the arch to leave a reveal for the door or window.

 

[addjunkie]

The Catnic doesn't need another lintel from my limited experience of them. If you backing a brick arch you would sit the bottom of the lintel higher than the bottom of the arch to leave a reveal for the door or window.

Ive only ever fitted them in my stone house, walls are 650 thick, wasnt thinking about a traditional cavity wall. My living room window has catnic with stone lintel and 3 concrete behind. Replacing the home made cement complete with old leaf spring inside and 2 round fence posts behind it.

 

[mm289]

Its an older property, solid walls, interior has an oak lintel, exterior did have an arch!
Finish isn't too much of an issue as it will be covered with featheredge once finished, but i am doing the brickwork in lime mortar so that makes it a bit different

Gonna use a couple of strongboys on acrows to support whilst we make good.

Cheers,

MM

 

[mm289]

Just thought I would add a couple of pics of progress, have re-made the sides of the wall to the correct aperture and got the bearers in place ready to fit the lintel.



Cheers,

MM