Expert: Dan Griffin - 5/29/2008

Question
I know that angle irons support bricks over doorways and windows, but I want to use the angle iron to support a wall of bricks on one side of my porch.  The wall will not be "all" brick... it is a design where every other brick is missing to create a semi-private, semi-open wall.  The wall demensions are 12' wide X 8' high.  So the question is: CAN THE ANLGE IRON SUPPORT THAT MUCH WEIGHT.  Because of the fact that the design leaves out every other brick, I assume it is only have the weight of a solid wall. If you think its too heavy, can I put another angle iron half way up so that each angle iron is only holding 12'X4'.  Also, the angle iron(s) will be bolted to the porch columns: is it too much weight for the porch columns which are 2x4 cripples holding up a 2x12 header?
Thanks a million!

Answer
Charles, I was nodding my head yes all the way until you said that the angle iron was to be bolted to wood.  I need to say NO.  I thought you were talking about pinning an angle iron to a concrete stem wall which is done quite often.

You really need to establish a concrete footing to carry the masonry load.  There must be some footing(s) to carry the structure now.  YOu can use 4" cement block to save the cost of finish brick until you  get up out of the ground.