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jim jim is offline
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Default How to set a steel lintel over a door frame

On 19 Aug, 23:23, dave wrote:


Detached garage: I'm replacing the timber frame (925mm wide overall)
for the side entry door. The wall is single brick with buttresses.
The brick (soldier) course over the frame lacks a lintel, so wish to
add a steel L section.


Reason for this is a rotten timber threshold (part of the door
frame). Replacing it with a Stormguard aluminium cill should give
vastly enhanced proofing against water entry. The refitted door will
finish just over 1 brick course lower and I intend to rebuild the
soldier brickwork course over the door as packing the gap above the
new frame might look a bit naff.


That's pretty interesting. Any chance the OP, you can post some pics
step-by-step? That's be a good ref for any other's doing it! (Like me
- maybe perhaps possibly :-) )


I've sort advice elsewhere. Result:

The single brick garage is around 40 years old and the door frame was
built into the wall using the horns. Horns are formed by cutting cill
and top rail timbers at 45 deg to fit into the brickwork at each
corner of the door. That made the frame an integral part of the
wall. SFAIUI that method of fixing window and door frames was going
out about then and being replaced by the current practice of screwing
or bolting the frame into the brickwork openings. Timber used in the
traditional method was generally of better quality and larger cross
section than now and allowed the top rail to be used to support
brickwork.

The new method has the advantage of easier fixing and replacement but
as the timber is weaker it cannot support brickwork, hence the need
for a lintel. IG and Birtley make suitable L shaped lintels around
100 x 100 in section.

Both makes advise the use of a DPC with the lintel. I had assumed
this was to protect the lintel galvanized finish. Not so - the
recommendation is for when the lintel is used in a cavity wall in
association with a different lintel on the other leaf. As it is being
used in structure exposed on both sides to the atmosphere, no DPC is
required in this application.

As for what the lintel should rest on - basically it rests on the
brick pillars either side of the door. A smeer of mortar under each
side can be used to help spread the load, but essentially the lintel
is built into the wall by starting the next brick and mortar course on
the lintel.

HTH