Which lintels are better for aerated concrete walls?

Selecting the appropriate lintels during the aerated concrete construction process is essential for the building’s overall performance and structural integrity. The horizontal supports that sit above windows and doors, known as lintel, are essential for supporting the weight of the wall and guarding against damage and cracks.

The choice of lintels depends on factors such as load-bearing capacity, ease of installation, and compatibility with aerated concrete. Different types of lintels present different advantages and challenges. Prefabricated lintels, steel, and reinforced concrete are common choices; each has advantages and disadvantages of its own.

You can make an informed choice if you are aware of the particular requirements of your project and the characteristics of each type of lintel. This article examines the best lintels for aerated concrete walls and discusses their advantages, features, and ideal applications.

The device of lintels in aerated concrete walls – the length of the lintel support and the size of the openings

The frame is reinforced in private homes, cottages, and summer cottages to improve the strength characteristics of the aerated concrete walls. To achieve this, corrugated reinforcement rods and cross beams made of reinforced or aerated concrete are installed in the vicinity of the openings where doors and windows are to be installed. You can redistribute the load and increase the strength by doing so when the lintel is reinforced. The technology additionally permits the use of an angle and steel tape.

The extent of the opening and the level of support are controlled for each option:

• a bearing beam made of gas-filled concrete reinforced with reinforcement allows you to cover openings of 1.74 m in size with a support value of 0.25 m on each side. The structure does not require additional thermal insulation;
• a reinforced concrete beam formed by concreting the cavity of U-shaped elements is capable of covering an opening increased to 3 m with a support surface length of 0.25 m. There is no need to insulate such a lintel;

• a solid beam made of monolithic reinforced concrete, laid over the entire thickness of the walls, ensures the stability of the masonry with an opening size of up to 2 m and a support length of 0.35 m. The supporting beam made of reinforced concrete needs additional insulation;
• a base for a lintel formed by welding from steel angles and reinforcement is used with an opening length of 1.2 m, provided that there is contact with the masonry of 0.2 m on both sides. It is advisable to make a groove and deepen the shelf of the angle or reinforcement into the gas block.

The distance between the supporting gas blocks and the required area of the contact surface must be considered when choosing the beams to reinforce aerated concrete openings.

Features of the use of lintels and the specifics of their installation for aerated concrete structures

For aerated concrete masonry, either specialty glue or cement-sand mortars are used. It is capable of withstanding heavy loads both during building construction and operation. Aerated concrete masonry’s interrows of reinforcing mesh are unable to fully offset all acting loads. Reinforcing bars positioned in grooves are added to the opening to ensure a uniform distribution of forces. In order to do this, a chaser creates cavities whose heights match the dimensions of the profiles. With a cement mixture, the reinforcing bar in the groove is fixed.

Cross beams offer the following:

• increase in the bearing capacity of aerated concrete openings;
• formation of a supporting surface for laying blocks;
• compensation of various load reactions;
• closure of the power circuit in the opening area.

The design characteristics of the beam and the spacing between the support blocks should be considered when deciding on the style and substance of lintels to reinforce aerated concrete around window and door openings.

There are two types of beams used:

• aerated concrete. They do not exert increased load on the walls and are easy to install on your own;
• U-shaped. They are prefabricated elements made of aerated concrete, the installation of which does not require the use of lifting equipment;
• reinforced concrete. They are distinguished by increased weight and require the use of lifting equipment to perform installation work;
• combined. They are made of angular metal profiles or reinforcement, on the surface of which aerated concrete blocks are laid.

We will examine the design characteristics of each type of beam and focus on their installation features in order to address the question of which lintels are better for walls composed of aerated concrete.

It’s important to take into account options that offer strength and compatibility with the special properties of aerated concrete walls when selecting lintels for them. Because of their resilience and capacity to disperse weight uniformly, reinforced concrete lintels are frequently the best option for guaranteeing the stability and longevity of the structure. Steel lintels are also useful because they offer strong support without sacrificing the light weight of aerated concrete, especially for larger openings. In order to improve the efficiency and security of your building project, choosing the appropriate lintel entails striking a balance between these aspects.

Ready-made lintels made of aerated concrete – dimensions, design and advantages of products

Developers have a strong preference for aerated concrete lintels produced by specialized businesses that meet the current standard’s requirements. Such a beam is rectangular in cross-section. An anti-corrosion coated reinforcement frame serves as reinforcement for the beam structure. On the lintel’s surface, arrows are applied to show where to place the beam correctly during installation.

The products have a standard beam height of 12.4 cm and the following measurements:

• length, which is 1.3-3 m;
• width, which is in the range from 11.5 cm to 17.5 cm.

The most popular and basic design, with many benefits, is the aerated concrete beam. Principal benefits:

• increased strength characteristics provided by a reinforced reinforcement frame. The lintel does not crack under load;
• reduced lintel weight. Due to the use of porous concrete in the manufacture of the beam, the mass of the element is reduced and the load on the aerated concrete box and foundation base is reduced;
• compliance of the structure of the aerated concrete beam with the characteristics of the blocks used. There is no need for additional thermal insulation of the structure due to identical thermal efficiency indicators.

Installation operations don’t require any specific training. The higher cost of the product is the only drawback of an aerated concrete lintel.

Technique for installing reinforced aerated concrete lintels

After the reinforcement of aerated concrete blocks in the window or door opening area is finished, aerated concrete beams are installed. Beams with dimensions equal to the spacing between the support blocks in the receiving area should be chosen before beginning installation work. In order to ensure the maximum contact area with the surface of the aerated concrete blocks, it is also crucial to use a lintel that is the required width.

When installing aerated concrete beams, follow this algorithm when working on the project:

1. Place a binder on the supporting surface of the blocks.
2. Raise the lintel to the installation site.
3. Install the beam on the opening, focusing on the direction of the arrow.
4. Mount, if necessary, a second lintel.

Use a rubber hammer to check that the upper plane of the beams is level after the installation process is complete. For aerated concrete, use a plane to eliminate drips and small irregularities. Once the adhesive has fully set, aerated concrete blocks can be placed on the lintel.

Prefabricated U-shaped lintels for window openings for aerated concrete

Aerated concrete components with a U-shaped profile are also utilized to construct window lintels, from which a stationary formwork is created. The product has a tray-like shape. After inserting a power frame into the opening, concrete is poured. The structure gains greater strength properties and consistent force distribution on the supporting walls after the concrete hardens. It also becomes more rigid, resulting in an aerated concrete structure.

The following benefits make prefabricated aerated concrete lintels popular in the home building industry: They match the thickness of aerated concrete walls in size.

• low weight;
• precise dimensions;
• ease of mechanical processing;
• environmental friendliness;
• thermal insulation properties;
• easy installation.

The total length of the tray elements, in various sizes, is 0.5 meters. Additional product dimensions:

• width – 0.2-0.4 m;
• height – 0.2-0.25 m.

There are two wall thicknesses for tray lintels: 70 and 145 mm. It is simple to choose a tray with the necessary measurements from the offered selection of goods.

How U-shaped lintels are laid over an opening

U-shaped window lintels for aerated concrete are installed in the following manner:

1. A support platform made of wood or metal is constructed in the upper plane of the aerated concrete opening.
2. Lay out the tray elements on the surface, providing support on the walls by 0.25 m on each side.
3. Lubricate the end planes of the lintels with adhesive and ensure the immobility of the structure until it hardens.
4. Place a power frame made of corrugated rods with a cross-section of 1.2-1.6 cm, connected by lintels, into the cavity.
5. Fill the inner space of the trays with concrete mortar, distribute it evenly and tamp it.

In three to four weeks, work on removing wooden or metal formwork will start. The technology also permits the installation of concreted beams on aerated concrete openings after lintels assembled from tray elements are placed on a horizontal platform.

Use of reinforced concrete lintels – pros and cons of a monolithic beam

Specialized businesses produce reinforced concrete lintels, which are prefabricated constructions composed of thick concrete reinforced with a reinforcement frame. Additionally, the beam features sling eyes that are intended for moving and positioning large items on the aperture.

The benefits of a reinforced concrete beam are as follows:

• increased strength characteristics;
• resistance to sub-zero temperatures;
• possibility of installation on enlarged openings.

The following are the design’s drawbacks:

• increased weight. To perform installation operations, it is necessary to use lifting equipment;
• increased thermal conductivity. A reinforced concrete beam requires reliable thermal insulation protection.

Additionally, self-made goods poured into plywood or wooden formwork are used by independent developers.

Technology for reinforcing openings with a load-bearing reinforced concrete lintel

Lifting equipment is used to lay lintel in walls made of aerated concrete.

The technology used to install aerated concrete lintels is comparable to that of installing reinforced concrete beams:

1. Cement mortar is laid on aerated concrete blocks.
2. The beam is lifted by a lifting device to the level of the opening.
3. A reinforced concrete lintel is lowered onto the opening with a 35 cm overlap of blocks.

Check the beam’s horizontality and reposition it once the installation is complete.

Lintel made of corners for aerated concrete

Additionally, do-it-yourselfers can construct lintels out of the corners of an aerated concrete wall or use ribbed reinforcement in place of a lintel. Although this design is not recommended by professional builders, it is frequently utilized in private housing construction for openings no bigger than 120 cm. The shelf size should be 7.5 cm, and the corner should be 0.6 cm thick to guarantee the structural integrity. To cover the opening, blocks are placed on a metal foundation.

What sets this design apart is:

• cheapness;
• simplicity;
• ease of installation.

A lintel’s drawbacks depending on reinforcement or corners:

• possibility of corrosion of the supporting structure;
• the need to form grooves for the placement of reinforcement or corners.

Owing to the expedited pace of organization and straightforward design, this alternative is also extensively employed.

How to install a reinforcing rod and lay an angle under a lintel

After deciding to use a corner for aerated concrete or corrugated reinforcement as a lintel, measure the size of the supporting surface and proceed with installation using the following algorithm:

1. Thoroughly clean the surface of the corner profile or fittings from any existing rust.
2. Prime the surface of metal elements for reliable protection against corrosion.
3. Make grooves in the outer blocks of the opening, allowing you to place a corner shelf or fittings in them.
4. Cover the opening with a metal profile and cover with cement mortar the grooves in which the angle or rod is placed.
5. Provide structural rigidity using annealed wire, metal tape or electric welding.

Place blocks of aerated concrete once the supporting metal structure has been installed.

There are several ways to install support elements:

• with the arrangement of two corners with shelves facing each other from the outer and inner parts of the opening;
• with the placement of two welded corners in the center of the opening with shelves in opposite directions;
• with the laying of one reinforcement rod along the axis of the opening and two rods on the outer sides.

Selecting the best installation technique is a personal decision.

Type of Lintel	Benefits
Reinforced Concrete Lintels	Strong and durable, suitable for heavy loads, fire-resistant
Steel Lintels	Lightweight, easy to install, high strength-to-weight ratio
Prefabricated Aerated Concrete Lintels	Good thermal insulation, matches aerated concrete walls, easy to handle
Wooden Lintels	Cost-effective, easy to work with, good for small openings
Composite Lintels	Combines benefits of multiple materials, versatile, strong

For aerated concrete walls, selecting the proper lintels is essential to guaranteeing the building’s longevity and structural integrity. It’s crucial to take load-bearing capacity, thermal insulation, and installation ease into account when choosing lintels. Because of their strength and longevity, steel lintels are frequently chosen; however, they can result in thermal bridges that lower energy efficiency.

An excellent compromise between strength and thermal performance can be found in reinforced concrete lintels. They can be made to resemble the characteristics of aerated concrete blocks and are less likely to result in thermal bridging than steel lintels. Prefabricated lintels designed especially for aerated concrete walls can also speed up construction and guarantee a better fit.

The ideal lintel for your aerated concrete walls ultimately depends on the demands of your particular project. Seek advice from a structural engineer to ascertain the best choice for your building’s load-bearing requirements and thermal performance objectives. An appropriately chosen and fitted set of lintels will improve your building’s overall stability and energy efficiency.

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