Building Homes or Extensions/putting infrench doors

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Expert: - 11/15/2007


Question
we are having a conservatory built, our house is made of what we have been told is called poured concrete,( it looks like concrete filled with stones) we have been told that when we put in french doors we do not need a lintel is this true? There is no existing opening.

Answer
Hi Margaret,

Can you supply me with some more information as follows,

What is the thickness of the concrete wall?
Does it have a cavity?
What is the external finish to the wall?
Does your floor joist bear onto or within this wall and how are they supported.
What is the dimension of the opening.
This is a yes /  no answer until I have more information as it can be done unsupported in certain circumstances.
Unknwledgeable builders will tell you it will hold up no problem and yes but for how long and personally its not the vertical loading that worries me its lateral movement that builders tend to forget.

Regard's
Bill

Building Homes or Extensions

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Bill-C

Expertise

Questions on UK construction from Setting out Projects through to completion. Mainly concreting ,drainage ,bricklaying, masonry,carpentry and decorating,plaster work ,render/roughcasting.From new build construction to historical restoration, renovation. How to set out ,levelling and survey matters.

Experience

Timeserved bricklayer , developing to Construction Site Manager and Educated to Site Engineer. Having been in the Industry for 35 years carrying out all types of general construction . renovation and historical renovation and remedial works.Now mainly on luxury dwellings to the value of £2M. Having been self employed and advising main Contractors and Developers through Construction phases and managing the works from concept to completion.Having a broad spectrum of experience.

Education/Credentials
Scottish Apprenticeship in the crat of bricklaying. Scottish Construction Industry Site Managers Site Civil Engineering Construction and Surveying Set out. Scottish Civil Engineering Analysis of Concrete and Mortar Asbestos encountering. Scaffolding Inspectors Certification Planning, Programming and Management

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