Originally Posted by dallas
I was once told that the main reason that lintels are installed (in small ish openings that is), is to actually hold teh bricks up above the opening during the laying curing process, with the bricks mortar courses above and around the hole doing the work of structure, rather than the lintel itself!... hence one of the main reasons why the bricks are laid in the pattern they are, to interlock, with each brick supporting the other...otherwise the lintels on downstairs windows doors would be quite significant with another floor of brickwork above it!...
food for thought??
D