widening doorway in loadbearing wall

ajay3

We want to increase the doorway between our kitchen and conservatory (original external wall, load bearing) from 83cm to approx 1500cm (single door to double doors). Does anyone have a ballpark figure for cost of structural i.e lintel/beam? Also, as it is a load bearing wall, and the original external wall do the new doors have to be external doors?
thanks

Kiran

The cost of the lintel will depend on the load it is supporting from above. If you speak to a company like catnic they will do the calcs for you.

In answer to your question about the requirement to use external doors, in short no. The door lining will be wider but the doors themself can be whatever you like.

HTH

iamcornholio

You will need an 1800mm long lintel from the standard ranges of any of the manufacturers, and of the type suitable for the wall (cavity or solid). These are about £70

Or you can use 2 standard contrete lintels which are about £10 each

The doors do have to be external type to maintain the required separation for building control purposes. Otherwise the conservatory becomes an extension and you need to comply to the relevent building regulations for extensions

As this is structural work then you should apply for building regulations for widening the opening. If you are not going to, then you may as well fit whatever doors you like

steve1971

Sorry Cornholio, a common misinterpretation of the Regulations, often perpetuated by Building Control Officers (I am one myself).

There is no requirement to put a door there at all if you so wish. If challenged by Building Control, ask where it is written!

Kiran

ajay3 I would urge you to get the calculations done for the lintel you require for 2 reasons, number 1 you will need it for your building control submission, number 2 anybody giving you advice on here is doing so to the best of their knowledge/ability but they may not be competent to do so. Without either seeing the wall to be supported or have more detail it is all just guess work. As I said before, there's no need to involve a structural engineer, the lintel companies will be able to do it for you for the most part.