Lintels & Reinforcement

Steel Lintels, Concrete Lintels & Reinforcement for Structural Building Work

Rose Building Supplies supplies a broad range of steel lintels, concrete lintels and steel reinforcement for structural openings, cavity walls, solid walls and reinforced concrete construction.

Our range includes standard duty, heavy duty and extra heavy duty cavity wall lintels, internal solid wall and box lintels, external solid wall lintels, concrete lintels and steel reinforcement products from leading manufacturers including Keystone and Catnic.

What Is a Lintel?

A lintel is a structural support installed above an opening such as a window or door. It carries the load of the wall or structure above the opening and transfers that load to the masonry or supports at either side.

The correct lintel depends on the wall construction, cavity width, opening span and expected load.

Which Type of Lintel Do You Need?

The correct lintel depends on the wall type and structural loading.

• Standard duty cavity wall lintels - for suitable cavity wall openings under standard loading conditions.
• Heavy duty cavity lintels - for openings where higher structural loads are expected.
• Extra heavy duty cavity lintels - for more demanding load conditions and larger structural requirements.
• Internal solid wall and box lintels - for suitable internal masonry and solid wall applications.
• External solid wall lintels - for suitable external single-leaf or solid wall applications.
• Concrete lintels - used in a range of masonry openings where a concrete lintel is specified.

What Is a Cavity Wall Lintel?

A cavity wall lintel is designed to support masonry above an opening in a cavity wall construction.

Different lintels are manufactured for different cavity widths, inner leaf widths and load conditions, so the correct product must be selected for the wall build-up.

Standard Duty vs Heavy Duty Lintels

Standard duty lintels are designed for suitable openings under standard loading conditions.

Heavy duty and extra heavy duty lintels are intended for situations where the lintel needs to support greater loads, longer spans or more demanding structural conditions.

The correct duty rating should be determined from the building design and lintel specification rather than chosen only by opening width.

How Do You Choose the Correct Lintel Length?

The lintel needs to span the opening while providing the required bearing at each end.

Opening width alone is therefore not the same as lintel length. Always check the manufacturer's installation guidance and the project specification for the required end bearing and overall lintel size.

Why Does Cavity Width Matter?

Cavity wall lintels are manufactured for specific cavity width ranges. For example, products in the live RBS range include lintels designed for cavity widths such as 90-105mm and 150-165mm.

The lintel must match the actual wall construction, so cavity width and leaf dimensions should be checked before ordering.

What Are Solid Wall & Box Lintels?

Solid wall and box lintels are designed for masonry constructions where a cavity wall lintel is not appropriate.

The live RBS range includes heavy duty box lintels for 100mm and 150mm solid wall applications, alongside single-leaf and external solid wall options.

What Are Concrete Lintels Used For?

Concrete lintels provide structural support above suitable masonry openings and are commonly used in blockwork and internal wall construction where specified.

The correct section size, length and load capacity should always be checked against the project requirements.

What Is Steel Reinforcement Used For?

Steel reinforcement is used to strengthen concrete and masonry construction where additional tensile strength is required.

Depending on the project, reinforcement products may be used in slabs, foundations, walls and other structural concrete applications.

Keystone vs Catnic Lintels

Rose Building Supplies stocks lintels from both Keystone and Catnic. Both manufacturers offer structural lintel systems for a range of cavity wall, solid wall and load conditions.

The correct product should be chosen based on the wall construction, span, loading and manufacturer specification rather than brand alone.

Can You Replace an Existing Lintel?

Yes, lintels can be replaced as part of suitable structural repair or alteration work, but the correct replacement must be selected for the opening, wall type and load.

Because lintels are structural components, replacement work should follow the appropriate structural design and building requirements.

Do Lintels Need Building Control or Structural Guidance?

Lintels are structural building components, so selection and installation should follow the relevant project specification, manufacturer guidance and applicable building requirements.

For structural alterations or uncertain load conditions, it may be necessary to obtain guidance from a competent designer, structural engineer or building control professional.

What Information Should You Have Before Ordering a Lintel?

Before choosing a lintel, it is useful to know:

• The wall construction type
• The cavity width
• The inner and outer leaf dimensions
• The clear opening width
• The required lintel length
• The expected structural load or specified duty
• Whether the lintel is for an internal or external wall

Having this information makes it much easier to identify a suitable lintel range.

Lintels & Reinforcement in Peterborough & Huntingdon

Lintels and reinforcement products are available for collection from our Peterborough and Huntingdon branches, subject to stock availability.

Our Peterborough branch in Fengate supplies steel lintels, concrete lintels and reinforcement products to builders, contractors and homeowners across Peterborough and surrounding areas.

Our Huntingdon branch supplies customers across Huntingdon and nearby parts of Cambridgeshire.

Local delivery is available for many lintel and reinforcement products.

Lintel Delivery to Corby

Rose Building Supplies provides lintel and reinforcement delivery to the Corby area.

Corby is a delivery-only service area and does not have a Rose Building Supplies branch or collection point.

Need Help Choosing a Lintel?

If you are unsure which lintel range or size is suitable, contact our team with the wall construction, cavity width, opening size and any structural specification you have.

We can help you identify the relevant product range and check current stock, but structural suitability should always follow the project design and manufacturer guidance.