Lintel Replacement Services

A lintel is a structural beam that sits above windows, doors, or other openings in a wall. It carries the weight of the brick, stone, or masonry directly above the opening and transfers that load to the sides of the wall. Without a properly functioning lintel, the masonry would collapse into the opening.

In most residential homes, a structural engineer is not required for a standard lintel replacement, especially for a typical steel lintel above a window or door in a one or two-story house. We only suggest involving one if the opening is unusually large, there are multiple stories above it with heavier loads, or the damage is more complex.
We’ll evaluate your specific home during the inspection and let you know right away if an engineer’s input would be helpful.

No, patching cracks alone is not a good long-term solution. The cracks are usually a symptom of the underlying problem—typically rust expansion (rust jacking) from a corroded steel lintel. Covering the cracks without fixing the lintel allows the rust to continue pushing outward, which can make the damage worse over time and lead to more extensive repairs or even structural issues.

Yes, lintels are load-bearing elements. They actively support the weight of the masonry, roof loads, or upper floors above the opening and prevent the wall from collapsing into the space. That’s why a failing lintel (from corrosion or other damage) can cause serious cracking, bulging, or shifting in the brickwork above it.

No, lintels can be made from several materials depending on the age and style of the home. Common types include steel (most frequent in modern and mid-century brick homes), reinforced concrete, stone, wood (especially in older or historic buildings), or even brick arches. Steel is the most common material we see failing due to rust, but wood or stone lintels can also degrade over time from rot, cracking, or weathering.