Drilling above interior doorway?

jomaruko

Hi everyone!

I've been putting up floating shelves for book display on both sides of our fireplace. My plan is to put one more long shelf all the way across the doorway (see blue line in first photo). I think it'll look nice filled with books and will balance out the other side, where I've already put a shelf at that height.

Suddenly realised that maybe it's not the best idea to drill above a door frame? I wouldn't want to do anything to impact the structural integrity ot the lintel... To hang the shelf I'd need to make three 10mm holes - one in the middle and two towards the edges.

I also don't know what type of lintel it is, or how to find out - we're new home owners and it's a 1950s bungalow. My next step was going to be to go buy a stud finder and try to figure out what material the lintel is and how far upwards it extends, but thought I'd check on here before I do that. From reading other posts my understanding is that it would be ok to drill into a timber lintel but not concrete or steel?

Any help or advice on how to proceed would be hugely appreciated. Complete dyi newbie here and trying my very best!

Cheers,

Jo

Emmia

What's the risk of things coming off that shelf if the door gets slammed, hitting and injuring someone?

stuart45

There's a good chance it's a concrete lintel. You can still a concrete lintel, but if you hit the rebar stop and drill somewhere else. Don't change the bit and go through the rebar, as that would weaken the lintel.
Starting the holes with a smaller bit would make drilling easier.

Section62

I agree with stuart45.  The concrete used for lintel manufacture tends to be hard, often with hard aggregate in it.  I'd suggest using a corded drill as well as starting with smaller diameters as there's more than a small chance of burning out (or wrecking on hammer) a cordless drill when trying to make one 10mm hole in a concrete lintel, let alone making 3.

Getting too enthusistic with the hammer function also risks creating cracks in the plaster.

Albermarle

What's the risk of things coming off that shelf if the door gets slammed, hitting and injuring someone?

as there's more than a small chance of burning out (or wrecking on hammer) a cordless drill when trying to make one 10mm hole in a concrete lintel, let alone making 3.

Getting too enthusistic with the hammer function also risks creating cracks in the plaster

Seems like generally it is not the best idea, and time for a rethink?

Eldi_Dos

@jomaruko

If you are reluctant to drill into wall above door you could locate floor joists in ceiling above door and if in suitable position fix some vine eyes and support shelf with some discrete wires that could be hidden by books or ornaments, plants.

jomaruko

Thanks for the help everyone - have decided to leave it be. Appreciate all of the insight and comments!

moonpenny

I wouldn't even attempt to drill into the lintel but instead would remove the top shelf on the other side so both sides match up.

I think it looks very nice but I think the top shelf on the other side is too near the ceiling anyway and would look more pleasing if both sides were the same.