Exposed Steel Lintel Internally

MichelleH64

We've just had new steel lintels installed above our windows, but one of them has been left exposed rather than plasterboarded in and plastered over. It looks unsightly and I'm worried about it starting to rust and ruining the decor, plus a small dilemma of how to hang a curtain pole, as the roof above it is pitched. Could anyone advise if this is normal or if it should be boarded in and plastered please?

EssexExile

It should be covered with (I believe) two layers of plasterboard.

stuart45

Why did they leave one unfinished? Do you know what type of lintel was used. eg catnic?

MichelleH64

stuart45 said:

Why did they leave one unfinished? Do you know what type of lintel was used. eg catnic?

Yes I think it is catnic - a square steel box style one. They left before I saw it (my husband was in charge and thought that lintels were left exposed regularly!).

MichelleH64

MichelleH64 said:

stuart45 said:

Why did they leave one unfinished? Do you know what type of lintel was used. eg catnic?

Yes I think it is catnic - a square steel box style one. They left before I saw it (my husband was in charge and thought that lintels were left exposed regularly!).

When I say he was in charge, I mean he took charge of approving the work before the plasterers left.

stuart45

Any chance you can contact them and tell them that they missed one? If it was me I would go back and finish the job for good customer relations.

MichelleH64

stuart45 said:

Any chance you can contact them and tell them that they missed one? If it was me I would go back and finish the job for good customer relations.

Thank you. I would do that, but my husband says it is fine and has approved the work. I think I will try and find the number and contact them myself to ask. It is definitely not normal to leave the lintel exposed inside a bedroom (in this case) then?

stuart45

MichelleH64 said: It is definitely not normal to leave the lintel exposed inside a bedroom (in this case) then?

No, it should have been plastered. If they did all the others it might have been a genuine mistake. There's nothing wrong with telling them, even if your husband did OK the work. Things sometimes come to light later and people get called back.

southcoastrgi

Can you post a pic I'm intrigued 

FreeBear

MichelleH64 said:  but my husband says it is fine and has approved the work.

You need to take him outside, tie him to a tree, and then apply a wet kipper to the back of the head.

Exposed lintels in a factory or warehouse, just about OK. In a domestic building, especially in a bedroom, just plain wrong.

stuart45

southcoastrgi said:

Can you post a pic I'm intrigued 

I'd like to see one as well. Replacing a lintel on the inside is quite disruptive to the decorations, so I don't see how they would have thought it was OK to leave. It's also quite rare to have to replace them, unless they are timber and rotted, or occasionally a concrete one is cracking.