JoeJoe wrote:

I will soon be needing a lintel of around 2.5-2.7m.

My engineer hasn't finished his calculations yet, so I am not sure which one
I will need exactly, but it is meant to raplace a supporting wall in a
tenement flat removed in order to create an open plan kitchen.

In the past I used a concrete one, but the memory of having to carry it 2
floors up, and then position it at nearly 4m high (height of ceiling) is not
a pleasant one. Hence I decided to investigate the possibility of using a
steel one instead.

How do they compare in terms of:

1. Weight?

Less for sure.

2. Price? (concrete one was ~ £30 last year IIRC)

Probably a bit more, but not much.

3. Availability? (I can wait a few weeks).

Should be possible - if you pick from a standard 'I' beam, its just a
question of cutting a bit off and delivering it..if you want a complete
frame - i.e. maybe square box section supports, and a welded on I beam
top..a few weeks is likley.

But I asseme its goind to be let into existing load bearing walls. DO be
aware though that as with any lintel, the total load of the wall above
no longer rests on continuous brickwork beneath - but on 2 points in the
outer walls. Sometimes extra strengthening is needed.


Thanks a lot in advance.