Wall Lintels | Catnic Heavy Duty Lintel

Catnic lintels 

A lintel is a horizontal beam placed above a wall's opening, such as a door or window. The lintel transfers the weight of the wall above the opening to the supports on either side of the opening. Lintels are typically made of wood, steel, or concrete.

The catnic lintel is a type of lintel that is commonly used in masonry walls. It consists of two metal channels that are connected by welded wire mesh. The catnic lintel is placed between two rows of bricks, with the wire mesh extending beyond the edges of the bricks. This allows the catnic lintel to transfer the weight of the bricks above the opening to the bricks on either side of the opening. As a result, catnic lintels are an essential part of a building's infrastructure.

A lintel is a beam that is placed above windows and doors in order to support the load from the structure above it. Lintels are mainly found in masonry or brick structures. The largest lintel manufacturer in the United Kingdom is Catnic's. They supply lintels for both the commercial and domestic sectors. Lintel beams are also available in a pre-stressed concrete form which can span greater distances than traditional masonry lintels. Pre-stressed concrete lintels have an increased load-bearing capacity and are less likely to crack under tension.

What are Lintel?

Lintels are a crucial component to any building's structure because they provide stability and support at vulnerable points. They're often found spanning openings in walls, but can also be decorative if used for this purpose alone!

The most common materials for lintels are timber, steel and concrete.

When building a home or other structure, there are many factors to consider in terms of materials. One important factor is the lintel – the horizontal beam that supports the weight above an opening. Timber is a common choice for lintels due to its low cost and availability, but it is not suitable for large openings or heavy loads.

 Precast concrete lintels are a more robust option, able to support heavier loads and span larger openings. They can also be finished with a variety of surface finishes to match the rest of the building. As a result, precast concrete lintels are a versatile and economical choice for many building projects.

Steel lintels are versatile and can be custom-produced according to the specific building requirement, whether arched, in a corner, forming a bay window, and so on. They are also generally made from pre-galvanized steel which is cut and either roll-formed or pressed into the required shape. 

Steel has the advantage over concrete in that the lintels are usually lighter and are easier to handle on-site. Accessories such as end caps and fixings are available to suit most applications. Steel lintels offer an economic, versatile and reliable solution for supporting masonry loads in a wide variety of situations.

Lintels are an important part of your home because they reduce heat loss and the occurrence for condensation. They must be designed carefully so as not too much insulation is required, but at least a cavity will exist inside their structure where it's needed most!

Types of lintels

Concrete Lintels: 

There are many different types of lintels available on the market, but concrete lintels are one of the most common. The reason why concrete lintels are often used is that they are able to support heavy loads and larger spans. While steel and wood lintels also have this ability, concrete lintels tend to be more economical as well as durable.

When selecting a type of lintel for your construction project, it is important to take into account the size and weight of the load that will be placed on it. For smaller loads and spans, a standard concrete lintel should suffice. However, for larger loads or spans, you may need to select a reinforced concrete lintel. These types of lintels are made with steel reinforcement bars or wires running through them in order to increase their load-bearing capacity. Whichever type of lintel you select, be sure to consult with a professional to ensure that it is appropriate for your specific project.

Timber Lintels:

Timber lintels are mainly used in parts of the country where timber is most accessible. Timber is a standard material for lintels in timber frame construction. The main problem that can arise from having timber lintels is that they tend to be structurally weak and less durable than other types of lintels. One of the biggest issues relating to timber lintels is with dampness. When timber is affected by damp, this can lead to rotting issues forming. There is also the possibility of a woodworm infestation attacking the timber. 

Internal timbers in a property can be affected by damp, this is often more prevalent in properties with a timber frame. If the internal timbers are affected, this can mean the structural integrity of the building is vulnerable. It is important that the timbers are treated or removed as soon as possible. We would always recommend a specialist to inspect the property to determine what the damp and timber problem is and then detail the type of treatment that is needed to rectify the issue. 

Treating and/or removing internal timbers that are affected by damp is important in order to maintain the structural integrity of a building. 

Stone Lintels:

A stone lintel is a common type of lintel and is used where the stone is easily accessible. They are not often used in buildings based in mountainous areas due to the fact they weigh too much. This type of lintel is often used in areas of the country where stone materials are easily accessible. There are several problems with stone lintels.  They can be high in cost, vulnerable to transverse stress and difficult to transport due to their weight.

Despite these challenges, builders continue to use stone lintels because of their ability to provide good support for the load-bearing walls they sit on top of. When installed correctly, stone lintels can provide a long-lasting and durable solution for builders.

Steel Lintels:

Steel lintels offer a number of advantages over traditional concrete lintels. They are much less affected by rust and erosion, meaning that they can provide reliable support for many years after installation. In addition, steel lintels are much easier to manoeuvre during installation, and require less labour overall. As a result, stainless steel lintels are an ideal choice for any building project where load-bearing support is required.

Brick Lintels:

A brick lintel is a beam of brickwork built over an opening in a wall to support the weight of the masonry above it and provide protection from weathering. They are mainly used in properties where there is a light loading above and the opening gap is less than 1m. When the brick lintels that are frog filled with mortar provides shear resistance to the end joints than the standard blocks that are normally used. This increases the protection that is offered by the brick lintel. The use of brick lintels can also be seen in many modern buildings where they are used to provide support for large glass panels.

Reinforced Brick lintels:

Brick lintels are commonly used in construction due to their strength and durability. However, brick lintels may not be suitable for all applications. In situations where there are heavy loadings or where the span length is a problem, reinforced brick lintels may be necessary. 

Reinforced brick lintels provide more support than brick lintels, and as a result, they are often used in applications where loadings are heavy or span lengths are a concern. In addition, reinforced brick lintels can be custom-designed to meet the specific requirements of a project. As a result, they are an ideal solution for many construction projects.

Cavity wall lintel

Cavity wall lintels are an important element in most domestic and commercial developments. They provide support for the wall and help to keep it stable. Cavity wall lintels are available in a variety of sizes and styles to suit most applications. They are also relatively easy to install, making them a popular choice for many builders and contractors. Catnic is one of the leading manufacturers of cavity wall lintels, and their products are suitable for most applications.

Cavity wall lintels are an essential part of ensuring the stability and safety of buildings with cavity walls. There are three main types of cavity wall lintels - SH, SU and SUX. SH lintels are the lightest duty lintels and require a separate damp proof course to be installed. SU and SUX lintels are medium and heavy duty lintels respectively, and feature a built-in DPC. 

This means that any water that penetrates into the cavity is automatically transferred across the sloping face of the lintel and disposed of externally. Catnic heavy duty cavity wall lintels are manufactured to the highest standards, meaning you can be sure your building is safe and secure.

Cavity wall lintels are an essential part of cavity wall construction. The inner and outer leaves should be raised together to avoid twisting the lintel; blocks should continue for the full length of the inner flange. Masonry should have a maximum overhang of 25mm and blockwork should be built as close as possible to the upstand. Point loads should be applied at least 100mm above lintel flanges. 

How wide are catnic lintels?

To allow for a 150mm bearing on both sides, the lintel length needs to be 300 mm wider than your opening. For smaller widths under 1 meter you will also require 100 mm bearings per side of support above them.

The height and depth vary depending upon what's being handled but it is important that they are deep enough so as not risk any damage during transport or installation if the need arises

What bearing does a catnic lintel need?

Any time you are working with lintels, it is important to be aware of the minimum end bearing requirements. In most cases, you will need a nominal minimum end bearing of 150mm at both ends, meaning the total lintel length is the span of the opening plus 300mm. On top of that, there are other things to be aware of during installation to ensure the lintel is correctly supported and able to do the job expected of it. For example, you will need to make sure you have the proper equipment to support the lintel during installation, as well as ensure that the lintel is level and plumb.