A load of old lintels
- Sep 19, 2016
- 2 min read
The blockwork external leaves of the gable end walls are now complete. Timber frame ties have been used to tie the block work to the timber frame. We have spaced them at the density specified for very windy sites not because it's very windy here but to give strength to the structure while it is at it's most vulnerable. The structure will gain more and more strength as we get the purlins, the joists and beams, the straw bale retainers and finally the sarking installed.
We have used IG L7 lintels to support the blockwork over the door openings. These are specifically designed for timber frame buildings. The lintel is held against but not fixed to the timber frame by lateral restraint clips. These clips will allow for differential movement between the timber and the blockwork. DPM covers the lintel and extends beyond it by at least 15cm. At the two ends the DPM has been turned up to form an end stop. This is necessary because the lintel breaches the cavity and any water getting into the cavity above the lintel would be unable to drain away. Weep vents have been mortared in in between the blocks above the lintel to aerate the space. Waterproof breathable membrane has been secured to the timber frame above the lintel and overlaps the DPM again by 15cm.
I bought the lintels online from lintels4less. They were delivered without the clips. We had to pester the company but eventually they sent the clips. Fortunately they arrived just in time. They were delivered on the day the brickie was to install the first of the lintels. The lintels had obviously been sent out before and returned as they had the names of other customers on them.
Fire rated cavity stops (the red just visible in the top left hand corner) have been installed between the block and frame around the cavities.
The area above the blockwork will eventually be filled with an aluminium curtain wall. These are the voids we now need to cover over to prevent rain coming in over the coming months.
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