Lintel Installation

Restore and Revive Heritage Windows

Lintel Installation in Yorkshire

If you’re seeking a distinguished lintel installation service rooted in experience and a commitment to preserving architectural heritage, you’ve found your solution. Welcome to The Yorkshire Lime Company, where our expertise lies in seamlessly integrating this fundamental architectural element into structures that stand the test of time.

Much like the enduring legacy of the post-and-lintel system, our service pays homage to ancient construction methods while embracing modern precision. While this architectural form has evolved over centuries, our dedication to excellence remains unwavering.

The significance of lintels in architectural history spans cultures, from the Romans constructing temples to the Middle Ages’ use of stone and wood lintels. In the 18th century, cast iron and steel lintels gained popularity for their cost-effectiveness and mass production advantages.

At The Yorkshire Lime Company, we understand the delicate balance of preserving history while implementing modern solutions. Our skilled craftsmen specialize in the installation of both stone and steel lintels, ensuring a meticulous approach that respects the authenticity of heritage structures.

At The Yorkshire Lime Company, we have been repairing self-supporting brickwork and installing lintels in traditionally built homes for many years. We use hot lime mortar when undertaking any lintel repairs matching the colour and consistency of the original mortar. This means we can undertake repairs on listed buildings following the correct conservation methods.

If you have a project that demands the touch of seasoned experts dedicated to preserving architectural heritage through precise lintel installations, we invite you to discuss your requirements with The Yorkshire Lime Company. Your architectural legacy is in capable hands.

Installing Lintels in Yorkshire

Over time, the installation of lintels has become increasingly crucial for traditional buildings, especially where timber windows have been replaced with PVC ones. PVC windows provide no structural support to the masonry above them, and in time cracks can start to appear above the window as the masonry begins to move. A pre-stressed steel lintel should be installed before the window is fitted.

Because most window fitters don’t make you aware that you need a steel lintel installed, by the time you realize your window is usually warping from the stress and water is ingressing above the frame, this is because the brickwork has started to move. The brickwork usually has to be altered to fit the lintel. This is typically the case where there has been a soldier course of bricks above a timber window, and the bricks don’t usually line up with the horizontal mortar line the lintel has to sit on. The bricks in the soldier course may need to be reduced in size. This can leave a void between the altered brickwork and the frame that will need filling, and this is another reason to have lintels installed before the windows are fitted.

Types of Lintels in Traditional Buildings

We are seasoned lintel installation contractors specialising in traditional masonry structure repairs at The Yorkshire Lime Company. With a rich history of providing our expert services in lintel installations throughout Yorkshire, we’ve earned a stellar reputation for delivering exceptional work and unparalleled customer service.

Below, you can check the types of lintels used in heritage buildings.

Repairing Brick Arches

Brick arches and self-supporting masonry often move because the mortar between the bricks has eroded over time. This is often caused by moisture getting trapped behind cement pointing. When the mortar erodes, it causes the masonry to move and often locks itself back together. The masonry can be packed with slate and pointed with lime mortar to prevent further movement. When the masonry is stabilised, the masonry above can be removed so that stainless steel wall ties can be installed to hold the above walls together. However, when working on self-supporting masonry, we suggest having a structural report done so that you know it’s the right repair for the job.

 

Check Out Some of Our Completed Heritage Bricklaying Projects!

Hot lime pointing in Selby, North Yorkshire

Thorn Tree House is Dated From The 1700s in Selby, North Yorkshire

Selby is also home to several heritage railways. Thorn Tree House in Selby, 300 years old masonry needed a serious restoration. including lintel repair. Check the results!

Restoring 2 cottages in yeadon. Pointing in Leeds,West Yorkshire

Highfold Cottages Dating From The 1700s, Yeadon, Leeds

Yeadon is a historic village located in the heart of England. We were privileged to undertake the masonry restoration work and lintel repair on these beautiful cottages built in the 1700s. Check the transformation!

Why Choose The Yorkshire Lime Company for Lintel Installations?

With our lintel installation service, we can install lintels made from wood, natural stone, steel or brickwork that will support the weight of your structure while complementing its appearance. Our lintel repair service can help to prolong the life of your building. We can also provide written consultations and advice on Heritage and listed buildings alongside our comprehensive professional services.

Some of the main reasons why we believe that you should choose us for lintel installation in Yorkshire are;

  • We offer a range of professional masonry services.
  • We have years of experience in the Heritage industry
  • We are well-known across Yorkshire
  • We are passionate about what we do
  • Competitively priced with other masons across the UK

The above points are just a few of the main reasons we believe you should choose us for any building restoration services in Yorkshire. For more information about us or any of our traditional building services, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

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Please let us know the year the property was built.

Frequently Asked Question On Heritage Bricklaying

If your existing steel lintel has started to rust, it should be replaced with a pre-stressed stainless steel lintel. This should be done by a competent builder. If you live in a traditionally built home, the new stainless steel lintel must be installed using lime mortar. Using lime mortar prevents moisture from building up inside the brickwork, which causes dampness to appear inside the home. If making repairs to a stone lintel, you can use surface repair mortars to reform an arris or hide erosion. If the stone lintel has failed, it can be replaced using lime mortar.

As any builder knows, cracks in masonry can quickly lead to structural problems. One way to prevent further damage is to undertake a process known as crack stitching. This involves installing stainless steel helical bars into the masonry joints, using anchor resin or grout. However, it is important to note that the anchor resin and grouts used are incompatible with porous masonry. As a result, any repairs on this type of material should only be seen as a temporary fix.

If you are considering replacing your old windows with new PVC windows, it is more than likely that you will also need a lintel installed. This should be done before the new windows are measured in case the brickwork needs to be altered. Quite often, the brickwork in traditional homes was laid across the timber windows, which meant that it did not matter if the brickwork above the window did not line up with the mortar joints. When installing a new lintel, it must sit across the brickwork above the window to support the weight above. This means alterations to the brickwork may be necessary. However, with proper planning and execution, installing a lintel should not be a difficult task. As always, if you have any doubts or concerns, it is best to consult with a professional before undertaking any work on your home.

Whether or not you need a structural report for your building project depends on the scope of the work. You do not need a structural report if you simply install a lintel above an existing opening. However, you should notify building control of the work so that they can inspect it and ensure that it meets the code. If you are creating a new opening or altering a structural wall, you will need a structural report to obtain the correct specifications for the new RSJ. And if you own a listed building, you must apply for a listed building consent before carrying out any repair work that could alter the structure’s historic fabric. Following these guidelines ensures that your building project is carried out properly and up to code.

A cracked lintel can be severe if left to expand. Diagnosing the cause of the cracking should be the first step; this is done to prevent the same problem from reoccurring. Modern mortars and masonry paints trap moisture in porous materials and cause them to erode. This trapped moisture also causes thermal expansion leading to cracks forming within stone lintels. If the damage hasn’t fractured the lintel, it can be repaired with a surface mortar. Any non-porous materials should be removed from around it and replaced with a lime-based product. Concrete lintels crack because, over time, the steel inside them expands in damp conditions causing the concrete to fracture. Concrete lintels are best suited for internal use in modern homes.

When cracks begin to form in masonry, it can be a sign that the structure is failing and in need of support. One method of providing this support is known as crack stitching. This involves installing stainless steel helical bars into the cracks, using anchor resin or grout. However, it should be noted that these materials are not compatible with porous masonry. As such, any repairs undertaken with this method should only be seen as a temporary fix. If the structural integrity of the masonry is in doubt, it is best to consult with a professional before undertaking any repairs.

Brick arches and self-supporting masonry are two of the most common structural elements in buildings today. However, both can suffer from a common problem: erosion of the mortar between the bricks or stones. This erosion is often caused by moisture getting trapped behind cement pointing. As the mortar erodes, it causes the masonry to move and often locks itself back together. The masonry can be packed with slate and pointed with lime mortar to prevent further movement. This will stabilise the masonry and prevent it from moving any further. In some cases, the masonry above the affected area may need to be removed so that stainless steel wall ties can be installed to hold the walls together. However, before undertaking any repair work, it is essential to have a structural report done to ensure that the chosen repair method is appropriate for the job.