Steel lintel okay to drill

jamie_128

Ive got myself a hss drill bit kit and its gone through the steel lintel very nicely (putting up blinds), theres not really another way to securely fix them.

My friend has now got me worrying though that it will affect the structural strength in the house? Ive drilled about 6 holes into it and have 3 more windows to do the same into?

Is it a concern?

Also ive been using a 3.5mm drill bit, yeh a 5mm screw its all that fits, 4mm or 4.5mm wont grip, despite a youtube video saying only use a screw diameter 0.5mm more than your drill bit? Will it be okay using this larger screw?

One last thing, does a lintel cover most of the window recess top part or is it only slim, as sometimes when i try to drill it just feels like an empty cavity, are lintels slim in relation to the window recess ceiling part?

Cheers

TELLIT01

A lintel spans the entire opening plus 6" or so either side (15cm). Are you drilling horizontally or vertically into the lintel?

jamie_128

top of the window frame so vertically, i.e above window.

jamie_128

Also it feels like it already has holes in as sometimes there is just a big empty cavity where id expect the lintel to be?

FreeBear

A few small holes will not compromise the structural integrity of your lintel. They are often well over engineered for most houses.

snowcat75

You wont effect the integrity of a lintel, unless your taking huge chucks out of them,

Personally Id just tex screw them (us steel fixers best friend) no pre drilling and designed to grip.

Doozergirl

Some catnic lintels have holes in. Maybe that's what you're finding.

https://www.lintels.co.uk/catnic-lintels-10004-0000

jamie_128

Thanks guys, wonder if it is a catnic lintel then.

Is there any issue using 5mm screws in a 3.5mm hole then? 4mm is way too small for some reason, 5mm fits nice.

Doozergirl

It needs something to grip to, so yes, it's probably perfect.

jamie_128

One last thing, im using general purpose screws which say are suited for 1mm sheet metal (im pretty sure the bit of lintel im fixing too is very thin as the drill bit barely movea as its going in.

Will these be okay, they feel secure but everyone mentions self tapping screws all the time?

EssexExile

jamie_128 wrote: »

One last thing, im using general purpose screws which say are suited for 1mm sheet metal (im pretty sure the bit of lintel im fixing too is very thin as the drill bit barely movea as its going in.

Will these be okay, they feel secure but everyone mentions self tapping screws all the time?

They'll be fine.