Hello,
We are planning to create an opening in an exterior wall of a house built in 1937. The original construction drawings are missing, but we have an older plan (not a construction drawing) where the walls are marked as only brick wall. Based on the construction year, typical solutions from that time, and what we can see in the wall section, we assess that it is a solid brick wall (~380 mm thick), laid in alternating stretches and headers, meaning no separate leaves or air gap like in modern cavity walls.
The opening will be approximately 1,400 mm wide, and we need to replace the masonry above with a load-bearing beam. I understand that prefab brick beams (e.g., Optimera/Wienerberger) are dimensioned for a ½-brick leaf (~110–120 mm) and are not intended to support the entire wall depth in solid masonry. Therefore, I lean towards the most robust and safe solution being to cast an in-situ reinforced concrete beam in the entire wall thickness (≈380 mm) with bearings of at least 200–250 mm on each side. Alternatively, an integrated steel beam, but concrete beam feels like the simpler and more predictable choice.
My question to those who have undertaken similar interventions in older houses:
Thankful for any input and experience!
We are planning to create an opening in an exterior wall of a house built in 1937. The original construction drawings are missing, but we have an older plan (not a construction drawing) where the walls are marked as only brick wall. Based on the construction year, typical solutions from that time, and what we can see in the wall section, we assess that it is a solid brick wall (~380 mm thick), laid in alternating stretches and headers, meaning no separate leaves or air gap like in modern cavity walls.
The opening will be approximately 1,400 mm wide, and we need to replace the masonry above with a load-bearing beam. I understand that prefab brick beams (e.g., Optimera/Wienerberger) are dimensioned for a ½-brick leaf (~110–120 mm) and are not intended to support the entire wall depth in solid masonry. Therefore, I lean towards the most robust and safe solution being to cast an in-situ reinforced concrete beam in the entire wall thickness (≈380 mm) with bearings of at least 200–250 mm on each side. Alternatively, an integrated steel beam, but concrete beam feels like the simpler and more predictable choice.
My question to those who have undertaken similar interventions in older houses:
- Is an in-situ full beam in the entire wall thickness the most suitable solution here?
- Are there any other proven alternatives for 1930s houses with solid brick walls?
- Any practical tips for installation and shoring in this type of masonry?
Thankful for any input and experience!
