Brick beams

[noupe]

Hello,

Realized that this might fit better in this forum than facade.

We are going to create an opening in a brick facade (with a wooden frame) to install a new window. I've gone through the threads I found here on the topic but felt I had a few more questions. I'm clear that it can be done, but the big question for me is the brick lintel. I'm getting different recommendations from different carpenters, etc. One camp says to use a prefabricated brick lintel from a place like Tegelmäster, i.e., a row of milled bricks that you insert some form of metal into with a bit of cement. This is based on being able to find the same type of brick that already exists so that there's no big difference. It's possible that can be found. Others say you can install a pure L-beam (or I-beam?) with suitable dimensions and then fit the bricks into them, such that the beam (or its edge) is concealed by the mortar/joint. Others say the last option risks allowing moisture to seep in.

What is really the standard and best solution? Given that it's a prefabricated brick lintel, what do you do with an old house where that type of brick is not available? Do you accept that the top row over the window/door looks completely different?

Thanks a lot for the responses.

 

[fahlis]

... what do you do with an old house where that type of brick is not available? ...

Choose a brick in a contrasting color so that the beam is clearly marked?

 

[Hajjen]

Could this be something?
https://www.murma.se/murverksrad/reparation_av_tegelbalk/

I have used it myself during re-bricking above windows with good results.

 

[noupe]

Could this be something?
[link]

I've used it myself when re-bricking above windows with good results.

Thanks, it was a considered system. But then you get a visible beam? But is it correctly understood that it's either a visible beam or a prefabricated brick beam? This doesn't seem like such an unusual scenario (making a hole in a brick wall) so there should be a normal procedure, right?

 

[Hajjen]

Thanks, it was a consideration system. But then you get a visible beam? Am I understanding correctly that it is either a visible beam or a prefabricated brick beam? This doesn't seem like such an unusual scenario (to make a hole in a brick wall) so there should be a normal procedure, right?

Yep, you get a visible beam so it somewhat depends on how the other windows look. It's also possible to paint it in any color so it can blend in better... But you got an option at least