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.
Lintel Installation
Restore and Revive Heritage Windows
Lintel Installation 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.
Steel Lintel
Stone Lintel
Concrete Lintel
Wooden Lintel
Repairing Self-Supporting Lintels
Steel Lintel
Metal lintels have been used in the UK for over 100 years. They were initially made from iron and steel and were used to support the masonry over window openings or doorways. Steel lintel installations are essential for any building, as they help distribute the structure’s weight evenly. This prevents the bricks from collapsing and ensures that the building is stable. Over the years, lintels have been made from various materials, including concrete, stone and wood. However, steel lintels are still the most popular choice among builders due to their strength and durability. Choosing a reputable company with experience in this type of work is important if you’re planning a steel lintel installation. With so many factors to consider, such as load-bearing capacity and fire resistance, you must choose a firm that can provide you with the right advice and guidance.
By their very definition, traditional buildings are built using methods and materials that have been around for centuries. One of the repair methods used in these traditional buildings is to install pre-stressed steel lintels. Which, as the name suggests, is steel that has been pre-stressed or had tension applied to it before construction. The main reason for installing pre-stressed steel lintels rather than regular steel is that the weight of the masonry can cause the steel to bow or sag in the middle. Because the pre-stressed steel lintels have had tension applied to them beforehand, they are less likely to bend or sag.
Stone Lintel
Stone lintels are a common feature in many historic buildings. They provide support for the masonry above window and door openings. Masonry paint can provide some protection against the elements, but it also creates a barrier that traps moisture in the stone. Trapped moisture can cause the lintel to swell, erode, and crack over time. If your lintel is already starting to show signs of damage, it is essential to have it evaluated by a professional before it becomes irreparable. In many cases, replacement is more cost-effective than repeated repairs.
It is vital to ensure that your historic building is maintained correctly. A qualified masonry contractor should perform a stone lintel installation. The installer will first evaluate the condition of the existing stone lintel and determine if it can be repaired or if replacement is necessary. They will then install a new stone lintel using techniques that minimise damage to the surrounding masonry. The new lintel will be carefully sealed to prevent moisture from becoming trapped and causing future problems.
Concrete Lintel
The first recorded use of concrete lintels dates back to the Roman Empire. Roman Concrete was used extensively by the Romans for various construction projects, including constructing roads, bridges, and buildings. The Roman architect Vitruvius discusses using concrete lintels in his treatise “On Architecture.” Vitruvius writes that concrete lintels are ideal for supporting large loads, and he praises their durability and strength. The popularity of concrete lintels continued into the Renaissance when they were used in the construction of many notable buildings, including the Palace of Versailles and St. Peter’s Basilica. Today, concrete lintels are still commonly used in construction projects worldwide. Thanks to their versatility and strength, they play an essential role in the built environment.
A concrete lintel is a horizontal beam installed over an opening, such as a door or window. In the past, lintels were often made of wood, but today they are most commonly made of concrete and steel. Like any other building material, concrete lintels have advantages and disadvantages. One of the main advantages of concrete lintels is that they are much cheaper than different types of lintels, such as steel, stone, or wooden lintels.
Concrete lintels are also much more readily available, so you don’t have to wait weeks or months for them to be delivered to your project. However, one of the main disadvantages of concrete lintels is that they are prone to expansion due to rust. This can cause them to crack, ultimately leading to the collapse of the masonry above. Another downside of installing concrete lintels is that they are not permeable, which means they don’t allow moisture to transfer through them freely. This can cause damp problems in the long run.
Wooden Lintel
The humble wooden lintel has been a critical construction component since early man started to develop building techniques. They have proved highly durable, outlasting many modern materials that have not been treated with care. A key reason for the longevity of wooden lintels is the use of lime mortar throughout their construction. Lime mortar protects against decay and rot while allowing any moisture in the wooden lintel to be drawn out through capillary movement. This principle was also used to treat timber windows, which were regularly lime-washed to protect them from the elements. Today, the installation of wooden lintels is somewhat less standard, but they continue to provide a valuable service in many historic buildings. Thanks to their durability and low maintenance requirements.
When installing a wooden lintel, it is essential to do so with active capillary materials. These aren’t necessarily what the industry refers to as breathable fabrics – capillarity and breathability aren’t necessarily the same. Tests in labs force air through materials to prove its breathability, but a traditional building does not function like that. Moisture gets drawn out through the walls or timbers by capillary action – this is driven by air movement circulating in and outside the home; water does not get forced out under pressure. Breathable materials can still create a barrier if the capillary rate does not match. The safest option is to use pure lime mortars, adding natural pigments to washes and pozzolans to mortars where hydraulic action may be needed.
Repairing Self-Supporting Lintels
Self-supporting lintels are a common feature in most traditional buildings. They are made from either brickwork or stone masonry and rely on the compression of weight around them for strength. However, when the mortar between the masonry units erodes, it creates voids that allow water to ingress into the building. These voids also allow the masonry to move, which can cause cracks to appear in the masonry above. If left unchecked, this movement can eventually lead to the collapse of the masonry.
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!
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!
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!
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Web Designer
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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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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.
