Is My Lintel Ok (Possibly Fao The Builder)

[Canary42]

I had a guy visit today to measure for fitting a new window. While doing so he pointed out the concrete lintel not going into the side brickwork, but he seemed to think it was OK.

I later noticed my neighbour’s window seemed to have just a line of vertically stacked bricks topping the aperture.

My question being: Is the line of vertically stacked bricks a suitable lintel on its own, and if so does this apply to any width (my window is a lot wider than the neighbour’s.) ?

My Window :- https://ibb.co/3h3mJ5q


My neighbour’s window :- https://ibb.co/zVcs39J

[Ken4155]

I'm no builder but it would appear that the uprights of your window frame are supporting the cross beam which, in turn, is supporting the vertical bricks, none of which appear to be slipping. Ergo, all looks ok.

[Canary42]

Thanks Ken. That implies that when the window is removed the lintel will come down too, leaving the aperture supported just by the line of vertically stacked brick ?

[Ken4155]

I would hope the window-fitter knows what he's doing, Canary.

[Canary42]

Me too ! ! ! ! !

[The Builder]

Vertical bricks ("soldier arch") are supported by a cavity lintel, which I assume was used..........

https://condell-ltd.com/lintels/cavity-wall-lintels/ig-lintel-l1-s-100-3600mm?gclid=Cj0KCQjw94WZBhDtARIsAKxWG--wHuFRAs5jCMZlEIIsdDcVMJFEwVdRgK-WHyI7VnWLPC3ewbJ_iYsaAlSyEALw_wcB

Can be a soldier arch or even normal brick coursing (bricks laid flat as per the rest of the wall.)
Looking at your brickwork, I imagine you have a cavity?

Also known as a "flat arch", it's possible to create a load-bearing arch like this without any lintel at all, but it gets a tad more technical.

You sometimes find what Ken describes as well. A substantial 4x2 frame with maybe a 6x2 timber over that helps carry the load.
Whether you have a steel lintel or not depends on the age of the house. Other than that, it's hard to tell.
Either way...... you're ok :o)

[jackthehat]

Any lintel/lintol needs to have at least 150mm end-bearing....at each end. The soldier-course of bricks (upright ones) ought to be supported by a lintol, themselves -they do not act as a lintol themselves.
You may find that the 'lintol' over your window is actually a filler and that there is a proper Catnic/IG lintol supporting the soldier course.
If not, you will need a lintol inserting as uPVC window frames do NOT act as their own lintols.

[Canary42]

Thank you all for the responses.

I wasn't so much worried, as just curious, since as an ardent DIYer many years ago I knocked a doorway through a brick wall and remember all the propping I had to do before inserting a concrete lintel.

I've often wondered, in the years since, about the line of stacked bricks option which seems very common and at last I am enlightened, thanks again for explaining it.

[Ken4155]

^
Which the window-fitter will be aware of. If not, he could be in for quite a sore head:-)