Support & FAQs
Closed eaves lintels are designed for use at the top of cavity walls with closed eaves. The term ‘closed eaves’ means that the only loads present above the opening are the inner leaf of masonry and the roof load. There is no load from the outer leaf as masonry finishes at the top of the window frame.
Read more: What are closed eaves lintels?
An eave is the lowest edge of the roof overhanging the exterior wall of the building. When there is a soffit closing and finishing the underside then this is a closed eave. Closed eaves lintels are dedicated to the openings positioned in these types of locations. The inner toe of the product supports the masonry and roof, and the middle section of the lintel will close off the cavity. The reduced outer toe rests on top of the outer leaf of the masonry, which simplifies the installation process.
The steps to installing a closed eaves lintel are exactly the same as traditional cavity wall lintels. It starts with ensuring accurate measurements of both the opening to be covered as well as the lintel itself. The lintel should have a 150 mm bearing on each end and be fully bedded on bricklaying mortar. The lintel should be levelled along the length and width. Roof load should not be applied until the masonry cures.
Read more: From start to finish: How to install a Catnic lintel
The size of lintel you need is mainly determined by the structural opening span you have to cover, plus an additional 300 mm. This can vary from project to project, meaning accurate measurements are key to a successful installation.
Read more:Lintel size guide: How to specify lintel dimensions
Calculating the load imposed on lintels depends on a variety of factors, including the wall type in which the lintel is installed, and whether floor or roof loads need to be accounted for in addition to masonry loads.
Lintels are primarily designed to support uniformly distributed loads (UDLs), but on occasion, when point loads occur, they also need to be considered. This guide only provides an overview of how the loads on the lintel are established and should not be used as a substitute for obtaining loading calculations directly from the lintel manufacturer or a qualified structural engineer.
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Video Guides
When selecting a lintel, there are three factors that should be considered to ensure the correct specification: the type of wall construction, the dimensions of the structural opening and the total load on the lintel. In this video, we run you through the lintel selection process.
Once you have chosen the correct lintel for your project, it is crucial that the lintel be installed properly – if it is not, it could lead to serious issues for the building. In this video, we explain the installation considerations for cavity wall lintels.
Catnic’s Thermally Broken Lintel is the only lintel on the market to provide a complete thermal break between the inner and outer leafs. In this video, we outline the key benefits of Thermally Broken Lintels and explain the installation process.
Steel lintels, and specifically Catnic's thermally broken lintels, have a significant role to play in reducing thermal bridging and achieving carbon gains. They represent one of the simplest and most economical ways for building fabric to be designed and constructed to help achieve the carbon gains necessary to meet current and future building regulations.
