Steel Lintels

Steel lintels are a construction essential for a number of reasons. They are flat, can easily be obscured/covered by bricks, and are available in a wide range of sizes and shapes. This gives them some advantages over their concrete counterparts.

There are four popular different types of steel lintels: cavity wall, solid wall, eaves, and timber frame.

Cavity wall steel lintels are designed specifically for properties with cavity walls, a common feature of modern properties. Cavity wall lintels have to support two walls and must, therefore, offer significant structural support. These are available as either single pieces or as two pieces that are attached together. These can be installed during construction even when the two walls are built at different times.

Solid wall lintels are suitable for use in older buildings with solid walls - both external and internal. The most common options here are box lintels and inverted-T steel lintels. Box lintels allow for bricks to be installed over them, whilst inverted-T lintels can be used where there is a wall that is two bricks thick.

Eaves lintels have unique dimensions, meaning that they can be installed alongside the roof and provide support for any eaves-level openings.

Timber frame lintels are used for external walls which have timber framing. They offer support across both the timber and the brick elements.

Steel lintels are available in standard and heavy-duty versions and will have specified weight limits to help you choose. They are produced in a wide range of sizes (usually from 750mm to around 6600mm).

The cost of steel lintels varies by size and type, but they are a cost-effective structural solution.

Here at George Hill, we stock galvanised steel lintels in a variety of sizes. If you need advice as to which lintels to use, please don't hesitate to contact us.