I'm going to replace an existing window - about 600mm wide - with a 2000mm
wide one, the existing opening being to one side of the new. The wall is
Victorian solid brick. It's on the first floor and there's only about 12
courses of bricks above where the new lintel will go - and the top half or
so of that recent work as a new parapet wall to a roof terrace.
I've read:-

http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/OPENING_A_WALL.htm

But do the supporting distances (600mm preferred, 900mm max) still apply
to a wall with so little weight on it?

If so, is there a way of not running Acros down to the ground on the
outside? The area is scaffolded - would this take the weight? Or could I
use needles through the lower wall which will be removed for the new
window as well as above where the lintel would go? Or is there something
custom made for this I could hire?

Just as an aside I had the same job done to the floor below, and the
builders didn't bother with any supports at all - simply smashed the hole
through. They reckoned they'd done it hundreds of times without probs. But
if I do that it will be the humndreds plus one - knowing my luck.

The other thing is the room the new window's going into is in pretty good
condition so I need to minimise any internal damage.

--
*I brake for no apparent reason.

Dave Plowman London SW
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