27/08/2026
The main part of our job is to expect the unexpected. When we removed the plaster from this clients wall recently, it was clear that the original wooden lintel was rotten and had completely broken down.
Why would you use wood for a lintel as it will rot?
In older brick houses, wooden lintels were commonly used to support the brickwork above an opening such as a window or door. They often used timber because it was readily available and easy to work with, as time progressed, they moved on to use stone, concrete or steel as it doesn't break down so easily.
What does a lintel do?
A lintel is essentially a horizontal beam spanning the opening. The brickwork above it puts downward load onto the lintel, the lintel then transfers that load sideways into the brickwork at either side of the opening. This prevents the bricks above the opening from simply falling into the opening.
They serve a very important purpose in our homes!
