In Construction What Is a Lintel?

A lintel or lintol is a type of beam (a horizontal structural element) that spans openings such as portals, doors, windows and fireplaces. ... These prestressed concrete lintels and blocks are components that are packed together and propped to form a suspended floor concrete slab.

What is the difference between a beam and a lintel?

The beam carries the load from slab and transfers it to the column from, column it is transferred to the footing and from footing finally to the soil. Whereas lintel carries the load of the wall above the openings and transfers it to walls only.

What is the purpose of a lintel?

A lintel is a structural horizontal support used to span an opening in a wall or between two vertical supports. It is frequently used over windows and doors, both of which represent vulnerable points in a building's structure. Lintels are generally used for load-bearing purposes, but they can also be decorative.