Types of lintel level in house construction

A lintel is a structural piece at the top of a window or door which serves as a support by distributing the weight of the building above the window.

Various types of lintel level as follows:

Timber lintel:

This is the oldest types of lintels, though they are not commonly used nowadays, except in hilly areas where timber is cheaply available in abundance.

Timber lintels are relatively costlier, susceptibility to catching fire and liable to decay.

Stone lintel:

The use of the stone lintels is recommended only in places where the stone is available in abundance and the structure is made of stone masonry.

A stone lintel consists of a simple stone slab of greater thickness.

Dressed stone lintels give a good architectural appearance.

Stone is very weak in tension.

Also, it cracks if subjected to vibratory loads hence stone lintels should never be used for opening exceeding 1m span unless provided with relieving arches above.

Brick lintel:

 Brick lintels are not structurally strong, and they are used only when the opening is small and loads are light.

Brick lintels generally consist of bricks which are normally laid on end and occasionally on edge.

The depth of brick lintel varies from 10 to 20 cm depending upon the span.

It is constructed over temporary wooden centering.

Bricks with frog are more suitable for the construction of lintels since the frogs, form joggles when bonded which increase the shear resistance of end joint. Such lintels are called a joggled brick lintel.

Steel lintel:

Steel lintels are provided where the opening is large and where the superimposed loads are also heavy.

These lintels consisting of rolled steel joists embedded in concrete.

These lintels being very costly are restricted in use for special cases.

R.C.C lintel:

Reinforced cement concrete lintels have replaced practically all other types of lintels because of their strength, rigidity, fire resistance, economy and ease in construction.

R.C.C lintels are constructed, usually with a concrete mix having proportional 1:2:4 reinforced with mild steel bars.

These can be used on any span, its width is kept equal to the width of the wall.

The depth of R.C.C. lintel and reinforcement depends upon the span and the magnitude of loading.

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