QA

Question: How To Install A Lintel In A Brick Wall

What lintel do I need for a load bearing wall?

To select a lintel the general rule of thumb is to have 150mm bearing each side of the span. So if the span is 1200mm, the lintel should be 1500mm.

How much support does a lintel need?

Lintels generally require a nominal minimum end bearing of 150mm at both ends, meaning the total lintel length is the span of the opening plus 300mm.

How thick should a lintel be?

Steel angle lintels should be at least 1/4 in. (6 mm) thick with a horizontal leg of at least 3 1/2 in. (90 mm) for use with nominal 4 in.

How much can a brick overhang a lintel?

Lintel position within a cavity wall Masonry should not overhang any flange by more than 25mm.

How do you install a fireplace lintel?

How to Fit a Lintel in a Chimney – A DIYers Guide! Decide On Lintel Height. Remove a Brick Either Side Where The Lintel Will Be Installed. Cut Lintel To Size. Install the Lintel On a Bed of Mortar. Re-lay Any Remaining Bricks. Make Good Any Surrounding Work.

What weight can a concrete lintel take?

A 900mm SL50 has a height of 95mm, and weighs 6.2kg per metre. Looking at SWL figures you can see that if your floor load is a 1:1 ratio (so the same weight is applied on both the inner leaf and outer leaf, then this SL50 at 900mm can take a load of 8kN on each leaf.

Do I need building regs for a lintel?

Yes, if the alterations are of a structural nature. The insertion of a beam or lintel which affects the structural stability of the building will also require approval.

What are masonry lintels?

A lintel is a structural member placed over an opening in a wall. In the case of a brick masonry wall, lintels may consist of reinforced brick masonry, brick masonry arches, precast concrete or structural steel shapes.

How far should a lintel overhang?

Lintels should be installed with a minimum end bearing of 150mm at each end, and should be levelled and fully bedded on bricklaying mortar. Masonry may overhang the supporting lintel by a maximum of 25mm.

Do I need 2 lintels?

Lintels. If an opening is formed in a wall, the structure above the opening, even if it is relatively small, will need to be supported. Two lintels (made of steel or concrete), one supporting each leaf of a cavity wall construction. Separate thermal insulation and a cavity tray are likely to be required.

How do I work out what lintel I need?

Measure the size of the open space between the walls where the door/window frame is fitted. Add a minimum of 150mm to each end. For example, for a structural opening or clear span of 1,800mm, the minimum lintel length required will be 1,800 + 150 + 150 = 2,100mm.

How long can a concrete lintel be?

Concrete lintels are available in a range of lengths including: 600mm, 900mm, 1200mm, 1350mm, 1500mm and 1800mm.

How thick is a brick lintel?

Brick Lintels This type of lintel is used when the opening is small (less than 1m) with light loadings. Their depth varies from 10 cm (thickness of one brick) to 20 cm depending upon the span. Bricks with frogs filled with mortar give more shear resistance at end joints than the standard blocks.

How do you make a lintel beam?

Design Steps for an RCC Lintel Beam Take effective depth of lintel, d = l/10; [IS:456-2000, Cl.23.2.1] Overall depth D = Effective depth (d) + Effective cover. Width of the lintel, B = Thickness of the masonry wall. Effective Span,l = Least of ([ Clearspan + Bearing] , [Clean Span + Effective Depth]).

Do lintels need fire protection?

For concrete lintels, the lintel must be built in with the reinforcement in the correct orientation. Concrete lintels typically include a marker cast into the lintel, in order to indicate the correct installation orientation of the lintel. Exposed faces of lintels must be provided with fire protection.

Do lintels need to be fire rated?

Is the lintel fire rated? The core of the lintel contains a fire retardant and the steel elements can be clad with plasterboard in exactly the same way as Catnic’s existing lintels, providing the necessary fire rating.

Do window fitters fit lintels?

Yes the fitter could insist on lintels to be fitted. There may be a change of height of opening depending how the brickwork is set above the opening so that the lintel can be installed.

Can you drill into a fireplace lintel?

Drilling into concrete or steel lintels and also fixing into concrete and steel lintels has presented problems for years to DIY enthusiasts and professional alike. these particular drill bits are SDS bits, which will require an SDS drill for you to use them.

What is a chimney lintel?

The fireplace lintel or lintel bar is a horizontal beam that runs across the length of the fireplace and supports the chimney. It typically extends into each side of the wall by about 4 inches. In some cases, it is an arch made of brick or stone that extends over the firebox into the walls.