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https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl DIY Forum >> Building Questions >> Do i need to replace a wooden beem for an rsj? https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1462962081 Message started by Des32 on May 11^th, 2016, 11:21am

Title: Do i need to replace a wooden beem for an rsj?
Post by Des32 on May 11^th, 2016, 11:21am

Im currently renovating my old shop into a house. At the mo there is a shop door and window with a woodem beem running across the top of it supporting the upstairs. Im taking the old shop door and window out and replacing it with a window exactly the same size at 2000mm. Does the wooden beem need replacing with an rsj or a lintel or can i just leave the wooden 1 in and save alot of time and money?

Title: Re: Do i need to replace a wooden beem for an rsj?
Post by CWatters on May 12^th, 2016, 2:04pm

It's impossible to say without being there.

Some old window/door frames are/were structural. If that's the case then the replacements might also need to be structural or the beam might need to be replaced.

What country are you in? In England structural work requires Building Control Approval and the BCO might be able to advise (although sometimes they are unwilling to do so). Even if the work isn't structural replacement windows are "notifiable" to Building Control unless the work is carried out by a member of an approved scheme such as Fensa.