3 Types of Lintels and Their Importance in Construction

 Lintels are more significant to construction than you think. Read on to discover their types and importance!

 

Lintels are an essential part of building construction—they support all that weight above openings like doors and windows. Without lintels, buildings may lack structure, and when you find faults in yours, it's best to call for professional lintel repair without delay.

 

Lintels are not a modern invention; according to Brown University, they go all the way back to 1925 BCE! With changing times, lintels have evolved too, with each type and form being equally important. Here are three important types of lintels used today.

1. Concrete lintels

Concrete is a lintel-friendly material because of its moldable quality. Concrete lintels fit perfectly above doorframes and windows of any shape and size, which is why they are widely used in construction today.

 

Concrete is also inexpensive, durable, and fire-resistant, ranking high in lintel material types. However, it can crack. If ignored, it could absorb moisture and cause your metal structure to rust, or, even worse, threaten the stability of the lintel itself. Such cases call for scheduling lintel repair and replacement services.

2. Steel lintels

Steel lintels work best with the heaviest loads. This is because steel boasts a higher tensile strength than other common materials used for making lintels. Steel is also preferred because of its anti-rusting properties, making it less of a hassle post-construction.

 

Unlike concrete, steel lintels are not heat-proof. This means they are vulnerable to fire and might lose their properties at high temperatures.

 

3. Stone Lintels

Stone lintels are one of the oldest types to exist—they can mostly be found in remains of ancient Greek architecture. While this testifies to a stone lintel's sturdiness, the beam can hold massive weight, making it an important part of stone and brick building constructions.

 

The only drawback is that stone lintels need repair and replacement at times because of the material's low tensile strength. In fact, it is important to look out for signs that might indicate damaged lintels so that they can be dealt with by a professional stone lintel restoration contractor.

 

 

As it's a construction staple, choosing the right type of lintel is very important, but it's just as significant to get the correct repair and replacement work done, or else your lintels might lose their functionality. One great stone lintel repair & replacement boston contractor is AMN Masonry, whose 13 years of experience in Boston and greater Boston makes them experts in the field. Contact them for more information.