Question 1

1. What is a lintel?

Accepted Answer

A lintel, also known as a lintel beam, is a horizontal support that’s built into a structure above an opening like a window or door. Lintels are designed to take the weight of the structure above them, which doors and windows can't support themselves.

Question 2

2. Are concrete lintels stronger than steel?

Accepted Answer

As a rule, no. Steel lintels normally offer higher strength than concrete, especially heavy-duty or extra heavy-duty steel options. A concrete lintel might be totally fine for your project though, depending on what sort of strength is needed. Precast concrete lintels are often cheaper than steel ones and can also offer better protection against corrosion, if that’s a determining factor.

Question 3

3. How do I calculate what size lintel to use?

Accepted Answer

You can work out what length of lintel you need by measuring the opening it’s supporting and adding an extra 150mm on each side. So, for example, if your lintel is for a 200mm wide opening, that’s 200mm + (150mm x2) = 500mm.

You can find more detailed information about what lintel length to use in this article from Materials Market.

Or, if you need to calculate lintel load, this guide from Catnic is a good starting point.

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