When constructing a new building or renovating an existing structure, there are numerous architectural challenges. Building stability and structural viability can help ensure a home’s safety, functioning, and aesthetic beauty. If your project is built with stone or masonry, you can achieve these goals by installing lintels over your windows and doors. 

But what is the role of the lintel in building? Here, we are going to define lintels, describe six different types of lintels, and address some frequently asked questions about them.

What is a Lintel Beam?

A lintel beam is a structure that covers the top of an opening present in a wall. Lintels are used above open spaces in buildings, such as doors and windows, to support the weight of the structures above them. These beams slide perfectly into the wall, matching its breadth and extending beyond either end of the opening.

Lintels are frequently used in brick and masonry buildings and can be made of a number of materials based on the structure’s support requirements, contractor preference, and building aesthetic. Lintels are similar to arches but flatter and easier to install and can be a significant structural element of a building. 

What is the Use of Lintel?

Lintels support structures above wall openings, entrances, and windows in brick and stone constructions. Open spaces in walls often lack foundational strength because nothing above the gap supports the load on top of the opening. In order to avoid this, lintel beams extend beyond either side of the entrance. Builders install them into the wall to distribute the weight of items immediately above the open space.

Different Types of Lintels

• Wooden lintel

Wooden or timber lintels, which are common in mountain home construction, can be an appealing and supportive building material. Wooden or timber lintels have lost their popularity in recent years as more durable alternatives have become easily available in the market. While wood is visually appealing, it is also more flammable and less durable than other conventional lintel materials.

Contractors may use steel bolts to connect many pieces of timber to suit a very wide or long opening. Another popular option is to use flinched lintels, or steel plates on the top and bottom of the wood, to provide additional support.

• Stone lintel

Stone is an excellent lintel-building material. Stone lintel blocks can be customized in shape and size, and they do not rust like steel. However, they are not always the ideal solution for structural strength because their tensile nature makes them prone to cracking and they do not withstand vibratory loads such as earthquakes. 

Stone lintels, when used in combination with stone or masonry structures, can create an appealing and unified appearance.

• Steel lintel

Steel can be a particularly helpful building material when openings are big and structural loads are high. Steel supports can be used with other steel pieces or on their own depending on the needs of the construction. Stone may need individual steel pieces or be embedded directly into the wall. 

Tube separators can help hold many pieces of steel together. While steel is occasionally prone to rusting, it is extremely durable and can offer structural stability to even the largest wall openings.

• Brick lintel

Brick lintels might be an appropriate architectural alternative when the load is light. Bricks used for this purpose frequently feature indentations known as frogs, which protect the end joints from shearing. This method is also called a joggled brick lintel. 

• Reinforced brick lintel

If the load is high or the opening is longer than a meter, bricks alone may not be adequate for the requirements of the project. In certain circumstances, steel bars might be used to reinforce the brickwork. 

The steel rods are placed in two- to three-centimeter-long intervals between neighboring bricks, at the bottom of the lintel, and as vertical stirrups within every third vertical joint to offer additional structural support to the bricks and improve the load they can handle.

• Reinforced concrete lintel

Reinforced cement concrete lintels are popular due to their stiffness, load-bearing capacity, strength, fire resistance, low cost, and ease of installation. Bars at the bottom and shear stirrups reinforce the concrete lintels. When installed over hollow spaces of the walls, concrete boot lintels can be an appealing and cost-effective option. 

The type of lintel you are going to use for your project will directly impact your budget and work. Consider all the crucial factors related to lintels like lintel level height, sill level height, lintel beam size, and lintel thickness thoroughly before choosing a lintel for your construction project. 

Conclusion 

Lintel beams play a crucial role in construction because they provide structural support, distribute loads evenly, and provide design flexibility. Their role in supporting spaces such as doors and windows contributes to the structural stability of the building while minimizing potential collapse or damage. 

Lintel beams support the entire structure’s stability and safety by distributing loads and reducing stress. Whether built of reinforced concrete, steel, or wood, these beams provide both functional and aesthetic benefits, making them an essential building component. Proper installation and frequent maintenance of lintel beams are essential for their efficacy and longevity throughout time.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)