During renovation projects, external walls occasionally need to be adapted to create new structural openings to accommodate doors or windows. In either case, it is important to ensure that the work does not result in instability, especially if the wall being altered is a load bearing one. The project needs to be carefully planned and steps should be taken to support the weight above the new opening to avoid a collapse occurring.
While the wall is being adapted, temporary propping and needling can be used to provide additional support. The works will need to be able to bear the weight of the upper floors, the roof and/or the top half of the wall. They should provide stability for as long as necessary to allow the installation of a lintel so the load can be safely transferred to the wall on either side of the new opening.
Needles and props should be in place before any work begins to cut an opening in a wall. This means that the transferral of the load will go smoothly and avoids the hazard of leaving it unsupported for any period of time. The needles and props need to be strong enough to bear the load that will be placed on them and won’t buckle under the weight. It is also essential that they are properly placed to disperse it evenly.
At Denon Construction we have extensive experience with needling, propping and other kinds of temporary structural works, providing superb structural support solutions within regeneration projects throughout the country. We use strong, versatile systems like the Super-Slim because they are tested and proven to offer excellent performance.
If you are planning to regenerate a property and need to create new structural openings we can provide a service to ensure the stability of the structure is maintained. We have worked with many clients creating new entrance doors, fire exits and windows, providing our expertise for projects on various scales. You can browse a portfolio of some of the jobs on our website if you would like to get a better idea of what we do. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact us to speak to an experienced specialist.