Hi,
I had a break in and our patio door was damaged hence we need to replace it.
I had three window companies coming out to give us a quote but one said that we would need to install a lintel if we want to remove wooden frame around the existing aluminium door. Other two could not tell but said their surveyors could confirm.
I know that there is a lintel inside, I believe it is a wooden one but on the outside we have a row of vertical bricks, apparently called soldiers. I cannot see a lintel from outside, just the wooden frame that goes around existing patio door.
How do i know that lintel needs to be installed if I want to remove existing patio door, remove the wooden frame and install a new patio door to fit brick to brick within the opening?
I would appreciate your advise.
Are you a tradesperson and able to answer this question?
Hi I have looked at the job listed in the Midlands.
Old houses where built on timber windows and door frames. As they do have lintel in the inner most likely they won't on the exterior. If there is a lintel there a tradesmen will be able to spot it.
But once the timber frame is removed a lintel would be required. I have seen 1000s of old houses especially council built houses being renovated over the last 10 years and one thing they mostly have had done was lintels installed on all exterior leaf of the walls.
Another good idea would be to look at neighbouring properties and see if lintels have been installed or advised.
Good morning you will usually require a Lintel in that situation especially if the Bottom of soldier brick finishes half way horizontally with the Middle of the normal bricks on each sides
You will only need a lintel on the external skin by law if the new frame is upvc which is not considered a structural element. Timber and aluminium are ok to use. However it will be good practice to have one installed before any further works are undertaken as soldier courses can move and cause cracks to the wall above. Especially if if it is an older property.
When was the house built ???
Ok if u do not know this
Remove some of the soldiers and inspect the cavity for a steel support if not there then you will need a outer concrete lintel eg
65 x 100 x span plus 300mm for mjn length
This just for the self wieght of brickwork
Only
Any thing else you need a 140 x 65 x span plus 300 for lenggh
