GB2374096A

GB2374096A - Facade for remedial support lintel

Info

Publication number: GB2374096A
Application number: GB0205453A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Brian Tellum
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-03-28
Filing date: 2002-03-08
Publication date: 2002-10-09
Anticipated expiration: 2022-03-08
Also published as: GB0205453D0; GB0107702D0; GB2374096B

Abstract

A remedial support lintel for supporting the external leaf of cavity walls: it is used e.g. when replacing a load bearing wooden window frame with a plastics frame which does not support the outer leaf. The support is of L -section and the face 1 is finished to resemble the brick - or stone- work of the building. Grooves 17 are cut into the brickwork at each side of a window head,(Fig 4A) and the L-section support is then fitted to the brickwork using adhesive (Fig 4B). The support is of plastics or sheet metal.

Description

External facade for Remedial Support Lintel This invention relates to a remedial support lintel for the external leaf of cavity walls.

Today, lintels are commonly used in the cavity walls of buildings to support the brickwork above any opening such as doors, windows etc. There are numerous types of lintels, which provide support for both the internal and external leaves of cavity walls. A common type derives its strength from a box section, which provides substantial support for the inner leaf, which carries the load from a floor above, and has a smaller section extending from the box section to support the outer leaf. An example of this type is GB 2,046, 337.

In older buildings, the means of providing support for the brickwork of the outer leaf over windows was by using the window frame as the load-bearing member. The timber frame gave adequate support to the outer leaf since it was of a substantial thickness and strength. This method of support can be identified by the lack of a stone or concrete lintel, or a course of bricks laid horizontally, or vertically (called a 'soldier course'), directly onto the window frame. In older buildings, a separate timber lintel frequently supports the inner leaf of cavity walls.

When these timber window frames reach the end of their useful life, and are replaced with modem UPVC or timber frames, a problem can arise due to the modem frames being thin and having little or no load bearing capacity. The replacement units are placed in the cavity so as to form as tight a seal as possible between the inner plastered surface of the inner leaf of the window reveal and the new window frame. This avoids the need to fill the resulting gap between the new window and the inner leaf plasterwork. As a result of the new frame being thinner than the old frame, the outer leaf of brickwork is now left unsupported.

Over a period of time, without adequate support, the courses of bricks above the window opening move under their own weight, and start dropping. If this is left untreated then the brickwork will collapse completely. Currently, the accepted method of treating this problem is to strip out the brickwork of the collapsing outer leaf, install a suitable non-corroding metal lintel across the opening, and then rebuild the brickwork on top of the newly installed lintel. This problem can be avoided if, at the time of window replacement, a suitable steel lintel is fitted. This adds considerably to the cost of window replacement, both in materials, and time for fitting and making good damage to the brickwork and plasterwork above the window opening. According to the present invention there is provided an"L"shaped façade for a lintel, which is placeable so as to completely cover an original'soldier course'or similar stonework and is bonded to the brickwork or stonework using a suitable adhesive bonding agent. The"L"shaped façade for a lintel provides the necessary support for the brickwork above the window frame and is easily fitted without damage to the plasterwork or the brickwork above the window frame. The"L" shaped façade for a lintel matches existing brickwork or stonework both in appearance, and colour.

All edges of the new"L"shaped façade for a lintel are preferably pointed up using a mortar mix, which closely matches that used for the original brickwork or stonework.

The"L"shaped facade for a lintel, is preferably manufactured from a noncorrodible plastics material which may, preferably, have a fibre reinforcement, or a non-corrodible sheet metal suitably coated to match the brick or stone finish or any other suitable load bearing material.

The"L"shaped façade for a lintel is easily fitted without damage to the plasterwork on the inner leaf, and also has a pleasing effect on the eye.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows the"L"shaped facade for a lintel with a'soldier course'pattern.

Figure 2 shows a typical cross section of a cavity wall of an older building with original timber window frame supporting the outer leaf Figure 3a shows an original window frame supporting the'soldier course' Figure 3b shows a new window after fitting the"L"shaped facade for a lintel Figure 4a shows a cross section of the"L"shaped facade for a lintel and outer leaf before fitting.

Figure 4b shows a cross section of the"L"shaped facade for a lintel and outer leaf after fitting In figure 1 is shown the"L"shaped facade for a lintel 1, which has a vertical height 2 of more than double the lower horizontal planar width 3. The thickness 4 of the "L"shaped facade for a lintel 1 is such that it provides sufficient strength to support the brickwork 5a (shown in figure3a), and also has sufficient rigidity to enable it to be handled during installation. The"L"shaped facade for a lintel 1 (shown in figure 1) has an outer surface 6 profiled to resemble the shape of a'soldier course'7 and imitation mortar joints 8, which it will cover when fitted. Alternatively, the"L" shaped facade for a lintel 1 can be manufactured with an outer surface 6 profiled to resemble a stone lintel (not shown) with or without a decorative feature, (not shown) or traditional horizontally laid brickwork, (not shown) or any other required surface finish (not shown). The"L"shaped facade for a lintel 1 can be coloured to closely match the colour of the existing brickwork 5a (shown in figure 3a) or any other preferred colour such as stone work (not shown). The outer surface 6 (shown in figure 1) of the"L"shaped facade for a lintel 1 can have a smooth surface, to encourage the shedding of rainwater or other moisture (not shown). The inner surface 9 can have a surface finish, which will provide a key for the bonding agent 10 (shown in figure 4a), which will seal the"L"shaped facade for a lintel 1 to the brickwork 5b (shown in figure 4b).

If constructed from plastics, the"L"shaped facade for a lintel 1 (shown in figure 1) may be manufactured with a fibre woven fabric on the outer surface 6 and inner surface 9 with a chopped fibre filling 11 between. It must have a suitable UV stability factor so that it does not degrade in sunlight, and have minimal creep under load. It may also be constructed of a non-corrodible sheet metal, or other suitable load bearing material coated to match the required finish. The"L"shaped facade for a lintel I can be manufactured in any suitable length, and is easily cut to the required length during installation.

In figure 2 is shown a cross section through an original window frame 12 that is supporting the'soldier course'13 and the inner wooden lintel 14, which is supporting the inner leaf 15 above the original window frame 12. This is a typical arrangement suitable for installing the"L"shaped facade for a lintel 1 (shown in figure 1).

The sequence for installing the"L"shaped facade for a lintel 1 is shown in figures 3a, 3b, 4a and 4b. In Figure 3a is shown the grooves or slots 16 cut in the mortar bed 17 (shown in figure 4a) in line with the bottom edge of the'soldier course'13 (shown in figure 3a) at each end of the original window frame 12. These grooves or slots 16 are of sufficient length and depth to enable the"L"shaped facade for a lintel 1 (shown in figure 4a) to be fitted flush with the front of the'soldier course'13 (shown in figure 3a) and secured at its ends, so that it can support the brickwork 5a.

The"L"shaped facade for a lintel 1 (shown in figure 1) is then cut to a length 18 (shown in figure 3b) and'trial fitted'. When the best possible fit for the"L"shaped facade for a lintel 1 has been achieved, a resin based, or other suitable adhesive 10 (shown in figure 4a) is applied to the'soldier course'13 (shown in figure 3a) and other brickwork 5c above the grooves or slots 16 to be covered by the"L"shaped facade for a lintel 1 (shown in figure 4a). The"L"shaped facade for a lintel 1 is then offered up to the'soldier course'13 (shown in figure 3a) and pushed into place as shown in figure 4b. Any surplus adhesive (not shown) around the"L"shaped facade for a lintel 1 (shown in figure 3b) is removed. The complete perimeter 19 of the"L"shaped facade for a lintel 1 and the grooves or slots 16 are pointed up to complete the installation.

The"L"shaped facade for a lintel 1 (shown in figure 4b) provides the necessary support for the brickwork 5a (shown in figure 3a) and also has an aesthetically pleasing effect. It can be adapted to suit differing situations, and does not require the demolition and re-building of brickwork 5a, with the associated additional cost.

Claims

CLAIMS 1 A facade for a support lintel having a transverse cross section with an upright portion and a portion at right angles thereto wherein the face of the said façade upright is contoured so as to match in appearance brickwork or stonework.
2 A façade for a support lintel being formed of plastics materials.
3 A façade for a support lintel as claimed in claim 2 incorporating a layer of fibre reinforced material.
4 A façade for a support lintel as claimed in claim 2 incorporating a layer of non corrodible sheet metal reinforcement.
5 A façade for a support lintel as claimed in any preceding claim when used as a façade for a support lintel.
6 A façade for a support lintel substantially as herein disclosed and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.