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Thanks to their isotropic qualities, which means they have the same level of strength everywhere, steel can resist extreme loads across significantly large gaps like windows and doorways without collapsing. Steel is a cornerstone in design and construction due to its strength and usefulness. With that out of the way, let’s get into our general advice about installing lintels above windows and any other kind of gap that needs structural support. The engineer's role is to give professional advice and guidance on structural variables that would take us far too long to explain.īuilders must consult a qualified structural engineer before proceeding with any construction project. Certified Structural Engineeringĭespite the increased durability and resilience of steel lintels, we must make one thing clear:Ī certified engineer is the only individual that can legally specify what structural components are installed, where they’re installed and how they’re installed.Īlthough Vincent Buda supplies a range of steel products for various structural applications, we can only provide general advice. These load-bearing supports are utilised to improve the structural integrity of a design and are required by national building codes.ĭiscover how load-bearing structural components like steel lintels, or t-bars and t-beams, provide support above windows, doors, brickwork, and masonry gaps to prevent collapse. Lintels for brickwork are an essential part of structural components erected over openings in a wall, such as windows or doorways, to hold loads above the gap and keep the structure from collapsing. Need Help Finding a Grate? icon-chevron.Accessories icon-chevron Expand submenu.Other Stormwater Products icon-chevron Expand submenu.External Drains icon-chevron Expand submenu.Internal Drains icon-chevron Expand submenu.
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Contact us to discuss the details of your project.Grates & Drains icon-chevron Expand submenu Alternatively, Catnic has a dedicated technical support team available to assist with any questions or non-standard requirements. An appropriate lintel can then be specified for the clear span of the opening and the safe working load required.Ĭatnic’s lintel product selector tool can also be used to specify lintels for other applications. The Catnic lintel product selector allows users to narrow the range of available cavity lintel solutions, based on masonry and cavity thicknesses, as well as loading conditions. A separate DPC is required with the extreme load lintels in all cases, because of the difference in shape compared to the standard and heavy duty lintels. These resemble a conventional steel beam, being an I-profile in shape and not featuring integral insulation. Where the thermal performance of the lintel detail is particularly critical, the Thermally Broken Lintel (TBL) range guarantees psi values of 0.05 W/mK or lower.Įxtreme load cavity lintels are also available. Catnic offers a complete range of one-piece steel lintels to suit standard or heavy duty applications.Īll cavity lintels come with integral insulation to help reduce the thermal bridging impact of the steel. The one-piece lintel also closes the cavity, avoiding the need to specify a cavity closer separately What type of lintels are available for cavity walls?Ĭavity lintel specification is determined by the build-up of the cavity wall, the size of the opening the lintel has to span, and the load imposed by the structure above. The lintels are designed to contribute thermal performance and moisture resistance at the door or window head detail, as well as the necessary structural stability. The main body of the lintel sits within the cavity, and a toe projects from the front and back of the lintel to support the outer and inner leaf. Now, a one-piece steel lintel is preferred. A separate lintel used to be the common solution, with two different lintels specified (one for each leaf). Openings in a cavity wall require structural support for each masonry leaf. An inner and outer leaf of masonry is separated by an air cavity, which is either fully or partially filled with thermal insulation. Masonry cavity wall construction is the most common construction method in the UK, especially for residential developments. Why are steel lintels preferred for a masonry cavity wall?