Steel Lintels: Supporting Doors, Windows, and Structural Openings

Manufactured from high-quality pre-galvanised steel and tested to relevant British and European standards, our lintels offer the strength, durability, and compliance you can rely on.

What Is a Lintel and What Is It Used For?

A lintel is a horizontal structural component installed above an opening in a wall. Its purpose is to support the weight of masonry, floors, or roof structures above, transferring loads safely to the surrounding wall and preventing cracking, sagging, or collapse.

Lintels are most commonly used above:

• Windows
• Doors
• Access openings
• Service penetrations

The correct lintel choice depends on wall type, cavity width, load requirements, and opening size.

Wide Outer Leaf Lintels

Wide Outer Leaf Lintels are designed to support the external (outer) leaf of cavity walls, particularly in brickwork, blockwork, and stonework constructions. They are an essential component when forming window and door openings during the build process.

Manufactured from pre-galvanised steel, these lintels provide excellent durability and conform to BS 5977 Part 2: 1983 and BS EN 845-2:2003 standards. When used alongside an inner cavity lintel, they help distribute loads evenly across the opening while maintaining the structural integrity of the wall.

Applications and Benefits

• Supports the outer masonry leaf of cavity walls
• Transfers load safely around window and door openings
• Helps prevent sagging or cracking in brick or stonework
• Suitable for hard ground (bolt-down posts) or softer ground (dig-in posts)
• Compatible with insulated cavity wall construction

Wide Outer Leaf Lintels are available for:

• 90mm–105mm cavities
• 110mm–125mm cavities
• 150mm–165mm cavities

Lengths range from 750mm to 3600mm, allowing for accurate specification.

Please note: these lintels are supplied unassembled and require on-site assembly. Installation guidance is available.

Cavity Wall and Eaves Lintels

Our cavity wall lintel range is designed to support both the inner and outer leaves of cavity walls over doors and windows. These lintels are suitable for standard domestic builds through to heavier structural applications and are available in standard, heavy-duty, and extra heavy-duty options.

Standard Load-Bearing Cavity Lintels

Designed for typical residential and light commercial applications, these lintels support masonry over standard door and window openings.

Available for cavity widths:

• 50mm–65mm (timber frame applications only)
• 110mm–125mm
• 150mm–165mm

Lengths range from 750mm to 4800mm, in 150mm increments. A minimum 150mm bearing is required at each end.

Heavy-Duty Load-Bearing Cavity Lintels

Heavy-duty lintels are engineered to support greater structural loads where standard lintels may not be sufficient. They are suitable for wider openings or heavier masonry and roof loads.

Available for:

• 110mm–125mm cavities
• 150mm–165mm cavities

Lengths range from 750mm to 4050mm, with the same 150mm minimum end bearing requirement.

Extra Heavy-Duty Load-Bearing Cavity Lintels

For very heavy loads, extra heavy-duty lintels provide enhanced strength. Their design allows for support of larger bricks, with a slight overhang where required.

Available for cavity widths:

• 90mm–105mm
• 110mm–125mm
• 150mm–165mm

Lengths range from 750mm to 4800mm, making them suitable for large spans and demanding structural applications.

Cavity Wall Eaves Lintels

Eaves lintels are specifically designed for window openings at the roof level. Our EL/K-90 eaves lintel features:

• A shorter outer leaf for a neat soffit finish
• A taller inner leaf with an integrated plaster key
• A thermal break plate to improve thermal performance

These lintels are available in lengths from 750mm to 2700mm and are ideal for maintaining structural support while achieving a clean architectural detail at the eaves.

Solid Wall Lintels

Solid wall lintels are used in constructions where there is no cavity, typically in brick or block walls approximately 200–215mm thick. These lintels are suitable for both internal and external openings and are designed to support masonry, floors, and roof loads.

Standard Load Solid Wall Lintels

Our standard solid wall lintels are manufactured from pre-galvanised steel, with the thickness increasing depending on span length. They are suitable for typical load-bearing applications and are available in lengths from 750mm to 2700mm.

Box Lintels

Box lintels provide additional structural support and are available in heights of:

• 75mm
• 150mm
• 215mm

They are ideal where toe-bearing or thermal considerations are required, particularly in external solid wall applications.

Heavy-Duty Box Lintels and Single Leaf Heavy-Duty Lintels

For higher load demands, heavy-duty box lintels and single leaf heavy-duty lintels offer increased strength using thicker steel sections. These are suitable for heavier masonry, roof loads, floor loads, or more demanding structural conditions.

Compliance, Standards, and Durability

All First Fence lintels are manufactured from pre-galvanised steel to protect against corrosion and long-term exposure. Our lintels are tested to relevant BS EN standards and comply with UK building regulations, including:

• England and Wales – Part L
• Northern Ireland – Part F
• Scotland – Technical Handbook, Section 6
• BS 5977 Part 2: 1983
• BS EN 845-2:2003

This ensures both structural reliability and thermal compliance across all applications.

Specifying and Installing the Correct Lintel

When choosing a lintel, it’s important to:

• Measure the structural opening accurately
• Allow for a minimum 150mm bearing at each end
• Match the lintel width to the wall or cavity width
• Identify the load type (masonry only, roof, floor, or point loads)
• Install the lintel level and bedded correctly in mortar

Correct installation is essential to achieving the intended load-bearing performance.

More from First Fence

While First Fence is well known for fencing and access gates, we also supply a wide range of civil and construction products. From scaffolding and tree protection to street furniture and steel lintels, we help you get everything you need for your project in one place.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about our lintels, please call us on 01283 512 111, email us at sales@firstfence.co.uk, or connect via our live chat service.