Lintel
 

I just wanted to ask a general question regarding lintel's. I own a 3 story
masonry building with a stone foundation and is about 113 yrs old.

I was having a contractor install a new glass block window. This window
is located on the outside bearing wall and it was a basement window.

I noticed when he removed the old window framing which consisted of
4 plank's about 1" to 1 1/4" inches thick there was no lintel.

This window opening is about 35 1/2" inches high and about 34" across on
the inside 2 floor joist's are over this window. The brick wall is 16" thick.

As long as I have lived in this building there have been no fractures of the
masonry wall both inside and outside which is about 50 yr's. This window
was there when my father bought the building back in 1952.

My question is this. Is there a lintel hidden inside the brick wall? I was
lead to believe any opening greater than 24" you would need a lintel.

Hello Apprentice:
I doubt there is any metal in the wall; the wood was used commonly, years ago. There is a principle in bricklaying, "Each brick is supporting no more than its own weight". If it has worked for over 50 years, I believe it will continue to hold.
Glenn

thank you for your reply