Steel Lintels

Understanding Steel Lintels

Steel lintels are structural supports manufactured from high-quality, hot-dip galvanised steel strips. They are formed into specific profiles designed to carry the weight of wet masonry and imposed loads while minimising the amount of steel required. This results in a high strength-to-weight ratio, making them easier to handle on-site compared to heavy concrete alternatives.

Specific profile shapes address common wall constructions. Cavity lintels bridge the gap between inner and outer leaves, often incorporating insulation to prevent thermal bridging. Box profiles provide a rigid beam for solid internal walls, while angle sections offer discreet support for single skins of brickwork. All units are treated with a zinc coating to ensure long-term resistance to corrosion within the masonry environment.

Material Range

• Cavity Wall Lintels: Open-back profiles designed for standard cavity widths (90mm-100mm). These units support both the inner and outer leaves of masonry simultaneously and typically feature integral insulation to maintain the thermal envelope of the building.
• Internal Solid Wall Box Lintels: Rectangular box sections designed for 100mm wide internal partition walls. These provide a flat surface for brick or block laying and are sized to sit flush with standard wall thicknesses, ready for plastering.
• Single Leaf Angle Lintels: L-shaped profiles designed to support a single skin of masonry. These are commonly used for outer leaf brickwork, meter box openings, or non-load-bearing architectural features where a full cavity lintel is not required.
  
  

Performance Benefits

• Corrosion Resistance: Manufactured from pre-galvanised steel or hot-dip galvanised after fabrication, creating a durable zinc barrier that protects the structural core from rust and moisture damage.
• Thermal Efficiency: Cavity wall options often include continuous insulation within the profile to reduce heat loss through the structural bridge.
• Handling and Installation: Significantly lighter than concrete equivalents, these lintels reduce manual handling risks and can often be installed by a single worker without mechanical lifting aids.
  
  

Typical Applications

• External Cavity Walls: Supporting brick and block leaves over windows and doors in standard residential construction.
• Internal Load-Bearing Partitions: Bridging doorways in solid 100mm blockwork walls using box profiles.
• Single Skin Masonry: Providing support for face brickwork over meter cupboards or for external brick skins independent of the inner leaf.
  
  

Specification & Standards

• BS EN 845-2: Specification for ancillary components for masonry - Lintels.
• BS EN ISO 1461: Hot dip galvanized coatings on fabricated iron and steel articles.
• Building Regulations Part L: Compliance regarding thermal performance and continuity of insulation (relevant for cavity profiles).
  
  

Related Materials and Construction Uses

Steel lintels function as part of a complete masonry system. In cavity wall installations, they must be used in conjunction with a cavity tray and weep vents to safely evacuate any moisture that penetrates the outer leaf. They are installed on a standard mortar bed on top of bricks or blocks, often requiring a minimum end bearing (typically 150mm) to distribute the load effectively.