Opening in supporting wall without acros?

[Snowbound]

The wall in the photo is a single skin supporting "spine" wall which houses the staircase in my victorian semi.

I am planning to house the wooden box which is 460mm wide and 200mm high into the wall which will house my sky box and wall mount the TV above I plan to put a concrete lintel above for support but wasn't sure whether I would require the full 150mm clearance either side. Can I knock out the bricks and insert the lintel without temporary support??

My concern is that the masonry won't be very tight as it is contains the original lime mortar.

All the electrics would be housed in the understairs cupboard.

Many Thanks

Untitled

• Snowbound
• 16 Sep 2012
• 1

 

[tony1851]

You don't need to bother with acros on that span; at the worst, one or possibly two bricks may work loose. You might be lucky and cut under 2 bricks coming together, in which case it is unlikely any will drop.

Personally I wouldn't bother putting a lintel in. If you do, you will need to cut out extra width of opening each side, over and above the 460, to accommodate the beam. This could cause a few more bricks to drop which you would need to mortar back in (and plaster).

Just cut the hole a little wider and higher than the box (no more than an inch each side) and then stick it in; apply some expanding foam to seal the gap and secure it rigidly. The wall isn't going to fall down.

 

[Snowbound]

Thanks Tony. Much appreciated.