What Are Lintels? Their Role in Building Construction

What are lintels? Few people think about them when they stare through a hotel window or walk through the doorway of a commercial building to shop. Yet lintels are one of the invisible structural features that keep them safe. 

At RestoreWorks, we are always conscious of the importance of lintels and offer commercial lintel repair services to clients throughout Chicago and NW Indiana. Our lintel repair and replacement expertise will add years to the useful life of your brick or stone structure, whether a museum, school, church, or commercial building. In this article, we discuss the purpose of lintels in construction, the different types of lintels, and highlight how RestoreWorks can help.



Lintels in Construction 

Using lintels in construction prevents potential wall failure by providing structural support. Lintels are placed above doors and windows to help carry the load of the structure above them and are mainly found in masonry or stone structures. They are integral to building safety and are governed by various standards set by, amongst others, the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and the International Code Council (ICC). 

The ICC, for example, states that lintels must be provided over all openings equal to or greater than 2 feet (610 millimeters) in width. Concrete masonry lintels can be suitable for load-bearing and non load-bearing applications, according to the ASTM. 

Different Types of Lintels 

Lintels are manufactured from various materials with unique characteristics and load-bearing capabilities. Durability, strength, and corrosion resistance are some of the qualities architects and engineers consider when they select a lintel material for their building design. There are six basic types of lintels:

• Brick
• Reinforced brick
• Timber
• Reinforced concrete
• Steel
• Stone.

Steel lintels are ideal for structures with heavy superimposed loads and large openings, while stone has span limitations. Timber is generally used during traditional and residential construction but can be vulnerable to fire. Reinforced concrete lintels, on the other hand, are fire-resistant, strong, and an economical choice.

What Are Lintels Used For? 

What are lintels used for? They serve as a structural support or a decorative feature, and the materials used for lintels depend on the structure’s support requirements, the building’s aesthetics, and the owner or architect’s preference. RestoreWorks worked on the University of Illinois – Chicago’s Education, Theatre, Music and Social Work Building, where our services included structural concrete repairs prior to the placement of new lintels. We also removed and replaced steel lintels above or below fixed strip windows as required. 

Structural Lintels for Load Distribution 

Structural support is the core purpose of lintels, and they must be strong enough to support the load above them without breaking or bending. The lintel size, material, and placement are carefully considered during the design phase of construction projects. 

And, structural lintels must be installed correctly to prevent the potential collapse of the structure above it. 

Repairing or replacing lintels showing signs of damage or failure is non-negotiable. Have you noticed missing mortar or mortar cracks around the upper corners of a building’s doors or windows? These are signs of lintel failure. 

How can RestoreWorks help? We thoroughly inspect the damage to identify the cause and extent.  We then determine what is required to restore structural integrity. Then, we repair or replace the lintel while adding flashing with end dams and a weep system at multiple points.

Decorative Lintels in Architectural Design

The aesthetic function of decorative lintels should not be overlooked. They enhance a building’s visual appeal when made from interesting materials, painted, or decorated with carvings.

The lintels at the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, where RestoreWorks engaged on a multi-building, multi-year restoration project, are not ornamental by themselves but form one element of a decorative feature around several of the building’s windows.

RestoreWorks is a trusted commercial and industrial masonry restoration and restorative cleaning company based in Chicago. We have also worked on buildings in Oahu, Hawaii, New York City, and Houston, Texas. Contact us today for lintel repair and replacement services.