Expert: Dan Griffin - 12/13/2008

Question
I'm installing a stone wall using a granite/mica stone, that ranges anywhere from 4" by 12" to 4" by 25" each block, on the face of my garage.  The garage door is 8' tall by 9' wide.  I've bought a 9' long section of angle iron for the overhang.  One side of the iron is 6" and the other is 3".  How do I hang it so you don't see the angle iron underneath?  Do I need to build some sort of temporary form underneath?  Ideally, I would just like to see the stone when standing under the garage door looking up.  Is that possible?  Thankyou for your help.

Answer
Preston, the lintel iron will show.  That is the normal and proper way to use a steel lintel.  Often, people use galvanized lintel iron to reduce the chances of rust stains, etc.  You don't mention, but I assume that your angle iron is 31/2x6x5/16 which should be adequate for the opening.  It should bear 6" one each side of the opening.  Make sure to use plenty of wall ties to keep the loads in plane.

The only way I have seen sone or masonry without the lintel showing is in an arch.