installing new windows

[robsan77]

My house project is coming on well,

new bathroom done,
central heating installed,
kitchen wall knocked through.


I've got all the windows arriving tomorrow but Iam a bit stuck.

The internal skin is held with a timber lintel but there is no cavity, and the external skin just has vertical header bricks above the window. The current windows are old timber and steel frames.

I am guessing i need to support the headers as the upvc wont be strong enough?
I can pin them fine but not sure what to use once the props come down as there is no cavity, so the lintels I have seen dont cut it. Can anyone recommend an idea?

My best yet is a flat galvanised steel going in but not sure how to work out what thickness or if it would work :wha:

 

[robsan77]

Ok, done some research and some thinking and here is my plan,

If anyone thinks this is a bad idea please let me know :thumb:

I can use 2 acros with strong boys to prop the outside skin (2inches available) from the inside.

Once the window is out and internal plaster knocked back I will prop the timber lintel and remove the 150mm bearing either side on the internal skin and cut into the external skin enough to slide a 3 x 1 angled steel under the external skin and up between the headers and timber lintel.

I should only need knock out 1 inch in height from the external skin so i was going to make it good with a slate sandwiched in mortar for the steel to sit on. I can cut the slate to the exact size.

What do you think?

 

[EskiBrew]

Crikey that sounds a bit heath-robinson but could work. I'm glad it is you doing the mods and not me

 

[robsan77]

After a good chat with building control they said my plan would be fine. Especially as the external skin is tied into the internal with full bricks just a couple of courses above the windows. :thumb: I went for 3 x 2 tho just incase