Brighten up your home with bigger windows and steel lintels

Expanding the size of your windows is one of the simplest and most impactful changes you can make when renovating your home.

However, increasing the size of your window opening is no easy task. A lot of consideration and planning needs to take place before the benefits of large windows can truly be felt.

Thankfully, we’re here to help. In this guide, we’ve broken down the entire window replacement process with the help of Catnic lintels.

Bigger windows have several benefits. They allow more natural light to enter the home, reducing the need for artificial lighting and thus lowering electricity bills. Natural light also enhances the aesthetic appeal of your interiors, making spaces look larger and more welcoming. Additionally, views of the outdoors creates a connection with nature, which can have a calming effect and improve overall well-being.

However, the larger openings required for bigger windows need appropriate support to maintain the structural integrity of your home. This is where steel lintels come into play.

Window opening types

There are several kinds of window opening types, including:

• Casement: The opening mechanisms of these windows are often side-hung to open like doors with the use of wall-mounted hinges.
• Sash: Sash windows consist of two panels that move up or down, or a single panel fixed in place with one moving panel.
• Bay: Bay windows protrude outwards from a wall, often in a semi-circle shape.
• Skylights: Skylights are installed in ceilings in order to bring in natural light from above.

Lintels are horizontal structural supports installed above openings like windows and doors to bear the weight of the structure above. When expanding window sizes, it's crucial to ensure that the lintels used are strong enough to support the additional load. Steel lintels, particularly thermally broken ones, offer several advantages:

• Strength and durability: Steel lintels are incredibly strong and can support large loads, making them ideal for larger window openings.
• Thermal efficiency: Thermally broken steel lintels prevent thermal bridging, reduce heat loss, and increase the energy efficiency of the building.
• Ease of installation: Steel lintels can be easily installed and are available in various sizes to fit different applications.
• Cost-effectiveness: Steel lintels are a cost-effective solution for supporting large window openings, providing long-term durability and reliability.

Selecting the appropriate steel lintel for your project involves several considerations:

1. Load-bearing capacity: Ensure the lintel can support the weight of the wall above the window. This includes all loads present above the opening: masonry, floor, roof.
2. Thermal performance: Opt for thermally broken steel lintels or two separate lintels (box and angle or box and channel) to enhance thermal efficiency and prevent cold bridging.
3. Corrosion resistance: Choose lintels with corrosion-resistant coatings, such as our steel lintels, to ensure longevity of your project.
4. Size and fit: The lintel must be the right size to span the window opening and fit securely into the wall.

Proper installation is key to the performance and longevity of your lintels and windows:

• Professional assessment: Have a structural engineer or experienced contractor assess your home's structure and recommend the appropriate lintel size and type. Alternatively, you can take advantage of the free services provided by Catnic's technical department to assist with your lintel specification
• Accurate measurements: Ensure precise measurements of the window openings as well as the area of the building relevant to your project. Technical drawings of floors and elevations are very helpful for structural calculations.
• Secure fixing: Lintels must be correctly installed. For more help with this, see our guide: From start to finish: How to install a Catnic lintel
• Check for compliance: Ensure your project compliance with local building control authorities.

Read more: 5 top tips for installing steel lintels

Incorporating larger windows with steel lintels in your renovation project can significantly enhance the comfort, functionality, and value of your home. The benefits of increased natural light and improved look of your property on top of all the pros mentioned earlier, make this upgrade a worthwhile investment.

Moreover, the strength and durability of steel lintels ensure that your home remains structurally sound, while allowing you to enjoy the aesthetic and practical advantages of larger windows.

For more tips on making the most of your home renovation, get in touch with our expert team.