Lintel for shower niche

[grim_d]

I'm renovating my mum's bathroom over Christmas and she has decided last minute she would like a shower niche.

The wall in question is brick, as they all are, could be a supporting wall, don't think it is as it runs parallel to the joists.

Niche probably about 300x300mm... ish.

What should I use as a lintel? Will appropriately sized flat bar or angle cut the mustard?

 

[Parm]

For that size I used a few bits of 20mm rebar. it’s what was kicking around at my friends house when we did his bathroom a few years ago.

Used the cement based tile backer board to line the aperture. Set it with plasterboard adhesive

 

[mtt.tr]

You are only supporting 45° from the top of the opening maybe 3 bricks in your case.

 

[sako243]

Slab of slate

But then I live in an old Victorian mansion and have slabs up to 5x4ft and 4" thick lying around

Oops, lintel not shelf...
Any half decent builders merchant will have precast concrete lintels with rebar for not very much money. I've got some offcuts here but probably not worth posting up to you.

 

[grim_d]

You are only supporting 45° from the top of the opening maybe 3 bricks in your case.

Aye but will I get away with a bit of 80x80x6 angle is really my question.

 

[brightspark]

Aye but will I get away with a bit of 80x80x6 angle is really my question.

what you holding up the eifel tower a couple of bits of 2x2 angle will do

 

[grim_d]

what you holding up the eifel tower a couple of bits of 2x2 angle will do

I'm trying to minimise the amount of removal, if I'm making enough space for 2x2 angle then I might as well just put a concrete one in.

I meant slipping the angle in so the brickwork is supported one one of the flats then the other flat is up against the face.

 

[brightspark]

I'm trying to minimise the amount of removal, if I'm making enough space for 2x2 angle then I might as well just put a concrete one in.

I meant slipping the angle in so the brickwork is supported one one of the flats then the other flat is up against the face.

you slip the 2x2 in one either side of the brick so makes a 4 inch channel the with of a brick underneath the angles only about1/8th thick or 125 mm

 

[gaz1]

yes

grind it out slot it in and cement the ends back up

 

[grim_d]

you slip the 2x2 in one either side of the brick so makes a 4 inch channel the with of a brick underneath the angles only about1/8th thick or 125 mm

I getcha

 

[brightspark]

your angle from one side will be sufficient if you already have it

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

You are only supporting 45° from the top of the opening maybe 3 bricks in your case.

Always amazes me how much of a building you can remove with minimal support.

I

 

[grim_d]

Always amazes me how much of a building you can remove with minimal support.

I

Always amazes me how much anxiety seemingly simple things cause.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Always amazes me how much anxiety seemingly simple things cause.

Gets easier. When you've got 6m out of the ground floor rear of a house a doorway seems minimal

 

[123hotchef]

I did a pocket door last year and used 10mm flat bar to support the 3 course about the doorway

 

[brightspark]

your only holding about the weight of 10 bricks spread over the full width in a pyramid .it acts the same as an arch

 

[grim_d]

Gets easier. When you've got 6m out of the ground floor rear of a house a doorway seems minimal

Did it a few weeks back, ok 4m rather than 6 but I understand steel and wood.

your only holding about the weight of 10 bricks spread over the full width in a pyramid .it acts the same as an arch

That makes total sense, I was struggling to understand what @mtt.tr was saying. Every day's a school day.