how to speak brick/block

TarheelTerp

I figure it must be me. For about a year now I've been trying to find a competent contractor to create an opening for a basement (hopper/awning) window and ideally to install the window too and NONE of them seem to have the first clue of what I know is involved.

What should I be asking for and how do I describe it? Thanks.

When all is said and done I want something like this in my brick&block wall...
Basement Awning Style Hopper Window (+/- 32x16):

Attached Images

 

joecaption

I'd be calling masons, not contractors. If there not willing to take the time to come on site and look at it keep calling more numbers. A good one will be busy and worth the wait.

TarheelTerp

I have been. Brick and block guys...
dressing it up some by calling them contractors.

Getting back to my question... I've been through the mill.
Today I had one ( a brick and block mason) want to talk about setting up a concrete saw for a 32x16 opening in a block wall...

uh, huh says I... and how much will this cost?...
after recovering a bit and I ask "and what do I get for that?"
then "what about the steel (lintel)?" He says: "what steel"?
I then said thank you anyway and hung up the phone.
---

So... (tongue in cheek) I figure it must be me.
What should I be asking for and how do I describe it? Thanks.

concretemasonry

If you knock a hole in any wall, you probably have to provide support for what is above.

I suspect the dimensions you cited may have been for the window unit itself. You must have the catual opening larger for some mounting materials and to shim and make the window plumb and level.

The steel he referred to was similar a header over a door or window in wood frame construction. Depending on what is above the masonry opening you may need a steel lintel or might get away with a a part of the wood structure doing something similar if there is no masonry above. - You can support wood with masonry, but cannot support wood with masonry because masonry is much stiffer and deflects less than wood.

Dick

TarheelTerp

Getting back to my question (again)...
So... (tongue in cheek) I figure it must be me.
What should I be asking for and how do I describe it so that these B&B masons will understand what I want/need? Thanks.

framer52

The problem is that in the south there aren't that many basements, I guess.

Shoot not a big deal at all.

I don't know how you would describe it better.

concretemasonry

Too bad there was not a clear description of the home structure above. To some people, it might be assumed it might be a typical NC cheap wood frame and vinyl, NC traditional stick and brick (with or without the recommended cavity) or even the premier block and brick wall section, but in all cases, the brick veneer (if it exists) must be supported either from the footing, by a corbeled detail or an attached steel angle. All the parts must fit together.

For a basement, it must be in the areas of NC that have some variation in elevation more than in the coastal flat lands just slightly east of there and similar to where I lived in VA a little way north. For a brick and block basement (probably 8" block and 4" clay brick) there must be a concern to support the veneer in all cases, which dictates a steel lintel configuration with a wide wide base provide suppoert for the brick above or a a series of concrete lintels to make up the width for a finished interior wall surface. There are numerous sources for concrete lintels in the area because of I95 (aka the drug road).

There are many possibilities, but before you ask questions you must know the construction or speak the local damge if you expect a good answer without a translator/interpreter.

Dick

CplDevilDog

If I remember correctly, our block masons never laid eyes on a brick lintel. They arrived with the framing steel/lumber package. Should they know what goes on with their Rough Openings after they are gone? I think so. Do they know? I wonder.

Best bet is to act as GC yourself. Once you know the RO dimensions you could get an Engineer to size a steel lintel for you (the steel supplier may even do this as a courtesy for customers). Draw up what you need, Sketch Up is great for that, and then farm out each little piece.

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