Lintels
(44 Products)Lintels are a crucial component in a building's infrastructure. Simply put, lintels are structural beams that provide support for the load above an opening such as a door or window. Our pre-stressed textured lintels are available in a range of sizes and can be used to provide extra strength above internal doors, windows, and even fireplace surrounds. Explore our extensive range of lintels today.
What Are Lintels?
Lintels have been utilised in the UK for an extensive period of time, with evidence dating back to ancient civilizations. A prime example of this can be observed at Stonehenge, where post-and-lintel construction techniques were employed as far back as 2500 BC.
Even today, lintels remain a crucial aspect in the construction of modern buildings and homes. Let's take a look at two of the most common lintel materials.
Steel Lintels
One of the most common types of lintels is a structural steel lintel. Manufactured from galvanised steel, these lintels are designed to support the load above an opening and are typically used in commercial and industrial buildings, as well as in some residential construction.
While steel lintels are readily available on the market, here at Materials Market, we specialise solely in concrete lintels; check out our comprehensive range of concrete lintels today.
Concrete Lintels
Concrete lintels are a popular choice for residential and commercial construction due to their strength, durability, and ease of installation. They are made from precast concrete, which is a type of concrete that is poured and hardened in a factory before being transported to the construction site. This allows for the production of consistent and high-quality lintels.
Concrete lintels have several advantages over other types of lintels. Their concrete nature ensures they are able to support heavy loads and larger spans; an essential factor when selecting a lintel material.
What's more concrete lintels boast great strength, rigidity, fire resistance and ease of use. They also accept a variety of surface finishes.
Concrete Lintel Applications
Concrete lintels come in a variety of sizes, shapes and designs to suit a wide range of applications. Most typically they are applied above doors and windows; structures which cannot withstand large loads on their own.
Lintels are most commonly applied in masonry or brick structures. When installing concrete lintels, it is important to use the proper type of anchors, such as mechanical anchors, and to make sure that the lintel is properly supported.
The lintel should be level and securely anchored to the wall. It is also important to follow the manufacturer's installation instructions to ensure the success of the installation.
Frequently Asked Lintels Questions
What Would Happen To A Structure Without A Lintel?
If a lintel is not present within a structure, the weight of the brickwork above a door or window would rest solely on the frame.
A lintel, however, redistributes this weight to the surrounding masonry on either side of the opening, reducing the stress on the door or window frame and preventing any damage to the structure.
What Is The Minimum End Bearing For A Lintel?
The lintel should typically stretch at least 150mm from both sides of the opening, but under certain conditions, a minimum projection of only 100mm is allowed (be sure to consult with your supplier or manufacturer for details).
To avoid wasting resources and money unnecessarily, however, it's best not to extend beyond this measurement.
Can Lintel Be Used Decoratively?
Lintels are a perfect marriage of form and function, boasting both structural support and aesthetic appeal.
Ornamental lintels can be simply an eye-catching horizontal embellishment adorning the top of your doorframe, or they may come in different materials such as wood or metal for added strength while also contributing to the overall look of your home.
Examples of ornamental lintels can be found adorning the hypostyle halls and slab stelas of ancient Egypt, as well as in Indian Buddhist cave temples carved from solid rock.
What's The Difference Between Single Leaf, Double Leaf & T-Beam Lintels?
Single-leaf lintels are typically used for small openings, such as those for windows or doorways, while double-leaf lintels are typically used for larger openings, such as garage doors. T-beam lintels are designed to support loads from two directions.
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