Lintel or not?

[David WE Roberts]

The front of the shed is planned to be 10 blocks high at the moment. The door opening including frame will be 9 blocks high.

So do I need a concrete lintel plus some concrete bricks for the last course, or is there a better alternative such as wood? The only load carried will be the roof, so in theory wood should be fine and would also be a lot easier to fit. The gap (double doors) is expected to be about 1624mm so the lintel would be

2000mm.

[Bob Minchin]

Depends on the outside finish. Rendering onto wood will fall off in time. Better to use a RC lintel and a course of cut down blocks.

If you are timber cladding for example, then a couple of 9x2 trimmed for height if needed will be quick and easy.

Bob

[Tim Watts]

David WE Roberts wibbled on Tuesday 09 March 2010 17:13

Can't speak specifically for your case, but if it makes you feel warm and fuzzy, I have several wooden lintels spanning gaps in the load bearing walls in my house. 3 are 1.8m long (bay windows). Those are holding their respective parts of the roof up.

[Harry Bloomfield]

David WE Roberts submitted this idea :

You might be able to use a wood lintel if the gap above is filled with wood rather than blocks, that is what I did. Another option would be to use two lengths of angle iron back to back, thus allowing you to use full size blocks.

[David WE Roberts]

Thanks to all - the finish is 'no finish' i.e. just painted blocks so I think angle iron may be out. The wood will need painting/treating but it is a lot lighter to lift over 2 metres high :-)