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Getting chuffed off with constantly conflicting opinions on whether I need lintels around all windows/doors. The front of living room's window has soldiers that are clearly sagging, but almost eveywhere else 'looks' ok, despite the external brickwork not making any particular sense.
Windows are a bit down the priority list now, but when upstairs yesterday, I spotted something which looks like as front lintel.
Is it?
Pictures are of the inside lintel, and then this 'mysterious; smaller wooden beam I spotted.
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What's above it? Looks lintel-like.
Are we talking about the beam that's in focus? If so, yes, that's what I think [i]looks[/i] like a lintel.
What's out of focus is a truss-type thing that was plaster & lat'ed over.
I meant the bit above the wooden lintel in the top pic. Edge looks too sharp to be a brick.
Oh right, see what you mean. No, don't think so, because if you look at the second pic, it has stopped.
I'm confused* - is that the same piece of wood, pics taken from opposite sides and ends?
The bottom one shouldn't have bricks in front of it then.
*I am probably being thick here
No, it's confusing to show by pics!
First pic is a lovely lintel.
Second pic is a mysterious piece of wood, of which I don't know it's purpose.
I agree, I thought it wasn't a lintel as bricks in front of it, but them I am not a builder, hence coming here to see if anyone can shed any light.
On my georgian I have two walls and a cavity between. Those wooden lintels on the inside wall, and soldier arches on the outside wall. Many builders tried to get me to spend the money to rebuild the soldiers with lintels.
I was recommended by a surveyor to just get my soldiers repointed. Which I duly did and they have not moved. Since repointing no surveyor or builder has mentioned anything about needing my soldiers replacing with lintels.
Will find a pic in a min.
Is the first pic internal? If so yes it's a lintel. "Inner" skin will be linteled because that's probably picking up the wall plate and therefore the weight of the roof. Outer skin would bear no weight on upper windows so they'd just use the frame to take the weight.
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Outer skin would bear no weight on upper windows so they'd just use the frame to take the weight.
I've been told the same.
...and then the total opposite.
I am so tired of this great lintel debate on this house.
Anyone from here fancy a trip to Leeds to inspect & give me a genuine answer? Bacon & tea on offer.
The pics above, are for the top window in this pic.
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Well I've been in "the trade" 20+ years now and do know may way round a bit of stuff.
That window looks like its carrying a little gable above which is hung tiles. The actual roof weight above it will be pitched onto the main roof either side of the window. Is there possibly one course of brickwork above the window at most?
Can you get into the roof space in that little gable section you may get a better view of lintels/wall plates/trusses. Are neighbouring properties similar and do they show signs of repair over that window? what part of leeds?
WS, you are becoming ever prevalent in my various distress calls!
Yes, one course of bricks at most. Please come up to Leeds and give an honest evaluation on all the windows!
Also, what is that wooden thingymajig then?
Jag, roof space access not a problem 😉 Drighlington.
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Bear, regarding the lintels, from down here in Derbyshire I can possibly establish a couple of things from the that elevation photo.
Firstly when the windows have been replaced in the past they've disturbed the brickwork above, hence it having been repointed. This would again back up the theory of wooden lintels only on the inner skin.
Secondly if you look at the course 2 above the windows they've sent headers through. I would suggest that these possibly bear back onto the lintel to act as a corbelling detail, therefore picking up the outer skin. This would only work if the walls are solid 9"
In short I think if you replace those windows you will again get some disturbing of the brickwork above.
[u]If[/u] I was having windows fitted I would try and get some support in for the front course. If you don't any weight bearing on modern plastic frames can affect the ability of the windows to open/close properly.
wrightyson has it sussed old wooden frames where often used as load bearing (kind of) but you can't do the same with uPVC
WS, thanks. Admittedly I had to google a couple of words that you used, but looks then that I need lintels in all windows. Not bloody cheap apparently (£1500 on top of the DG quote on average).
Arse biscuit.