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Hi All, I hope someone can help. We are hoping to make some adjustments to our loft to increase the living space in our bungalow. We have removed a window from what was an external wall and above this is a 7" x4" length of wood which sits on the brick. Will this suffice as a lintel or do I need to reinforce this with a catnic lintel?

Many thanks.

I am not sure I understand the question. But here goes.......
First of all is the wall load bearing - if it is take extra care.
If it is not load bearing then all a lintel does is support the weight of the wall inside a triangle of 45 degrees from the edges of the opening.
Brick comes in around 45 kilos/one hundred weight a cubic foot.
For an opening the size of a typical door, no problem.
As an opening gets wider you need to take into acount the damage the masonary will do if it falls and provide support while working. You will also need a suitable steel lintel - keep in mind you will have to lift the lintel into place and these things can be heavy.

[quote="jez937"]Hi All, I hope someone can help. We are hoping to make some adjustments to our loft to increase the living space in our bungalow. We have removed a window from what was an external wall and above this is a 7" x4" length of wood which sits on the brick. Will this suffice as a lintel or do I need to reinforce this with a catnic lintel?

Many thanks.[/quote]


I would always get an engineer in to confirm any structural calculations - especially if you have a loft conversion above any structures that you are altering

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Why do you need to do anything with the existing lintel/support?

wish you have solved your prolem..