How to span a new window opening in walls

This is a tricky job and before you begin there are a number of factors you need to determine with the help of a professional builder. However, reading this guide will give you an understanding of the steps involved in spanning a new window-opening in a wall.

Level of difficulty

Level 3 : Advanced

What you need

• Safety helmet
• Goggles
• Gloves
• Timber supports
• Scaffold boards
• Needles on jacks
• Chisel
• Club hammer
• Crowbar
• Bolster
• Pad stones
• Mortar
• Lintel
• Tape measure
• Brick-cutting saw
• Spirit level

The steps to follow

Note:
Creating a window opening will involve knocking a hole through an existing wall. Before you start, determine if the wall is a load bearing or non-load bearing wall before making a hole in the wall. You need to use timber supports and lintels to support the wall prior to making a hole if the wall is a load bearing wall. It's best to consult a professional to determine whether the wall is load bearing on non-load bearing before you proceed with this project. Make sure that there aren't any pipes or cables in the wall. If you detect pipes or cables, you'll need to reroute them. Seek professional advice in rerouting pipes and cables.

Spanning a new window opening in non-load bearing walls

1. Cover the work area with dust sheets.
2. Wear safety goggles, a mask and gloves.
3. Open all windows to allow for ventilation.
4. Remove any fixtures on the wall.
5. Mark the window opening on the wall.
6. Use a bolster hammer to make a hole in the middle of the marked area.
7. Pull the plasterboards away with a crowbar.
8. Follow the outline of the window opening and saw off the remaining plasterboards.
9. Cut the vertical studs and horizontal noggings with a saw.
10. Next insert noggings between the studs over the opening.
11. Frame the new window opening by fixing new studs opposite the existing stud.
12. You can now proceed with framing the window opening.

Spanning a new window opening in load bearing walls

1. Cover the work area with dust sheets.
2. Wear safety goggles, a mask and gloves.
3. Open all windows to allow for ventilation.
4. Remove any fixtures on the wall.
5. Mark out the area of the new window opening on the wall.
6. With a club hammer and bolster, make holes to insert the timber supports. The holes should be at 1m (3ft) intervals.
7. Insert timber supports in the brickwork, on top of the opening. These timber supports will rest on props and are used to support the weight of the wall while you work. They should be placed at an equal distance on both sides of the wall.
8. Install the props under the timber support.
9. Cut a hole to insert the lintel along the top of the window opening. The lintel should be longer than the window opening.
10. Insert pad stones on both ends of the lintel to support it in place. Apply mortar to the pad stones and place the lintel on them. Check to see if the lintel is straight with a spirit level.
11. Let the lintel set and dry.
12. With a club hammer and bolster, chop out the remaining plaster and brickwork to span the window opening.
13. Drive a chisel into the joints to loosen the brick. Start removing bricks from the top course and remove it course by course.
14. Frame the window opening once you have finished.

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• How to place a support beam

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