Do you need a lintel for a garage?

When planning a new garage or a garage conversion it's important to consider whether or not you need a lintel as part of the construction.

Installing a steel lintel as part of your garage construction is something that should be confirmed with a building professional or structural engineer beforehand to determine how your garage is going to be structurally sound.

What is a garage door lintel?

A lintel is a load bearing beam that supports the structure of an opening, in this case a garage door.

It is known on older properties for lintels to be made out of wood, however for a new build garage lintels are usually made out of steel or steel alloy.

Before you consider installing a lintel for a garage door you will need to think about some key things such as how wide the structural opening is and what the load is that needs to be supported by the lintel.

Generally speaking, installing a lintel above a garage door is a must for ensuring a structurally safe garage that will be able to support the weight of the roof.

Double garage door lintels

Planning a double garage can be a complex process, and we recommend hiring an architect and a construction professional.

Long lintels over wide openings should be installed to allow thermal movement to take place without causing cracking of the masonry and brickwork.

Each end of the lintel should be supported on padstones to release the pressure from the brickwork supports. A slip membrane such as a double layer of DPC should be placed between the lintel and top of the padstone for extra support.

For reference, a long lintel is considered to span an opening of 3m or more.

Garage door lintel detail for safety

Installing a lintel above a garage door should be carried out by a construction expert so please do consult one of these first.

A project of this scale shouldn’t be undertaken lightly as there are many safety hazards that should be taken seriously.

If you want help with your garage build or conversion, find a quality tradesperson on Checkatrade.