You are reading a single comment by @Trunkie and its replies.
Click here to read the full conversation.
-
Could you send a photo of where you're planning the opening? Theoretically if your walls are 215 thick masonry, you should be able to sit the UC on padstones rather than columns. This would also minimise cold bridging.
A 203UC46 sound pretty over specced for the job - smaller columns should be possible unless you're in a v tall house... don't tell him you got this suggestion from an architect though... tensions between our professions are bad enough already!
If none of this is possible I'll suggest a different approach, but best to sort out first principles before trying to pack & render the column.
draughts
@Trunkie
Architects, I'm after a bit of advice.
I'm opening up the rear elevation of my house to fit sliding doors. The walls are 215 solid block. My FiL is a builder and he is doing the work. His structural engineer mate has done the calcs for us and has specced a 203UC46 beam and column arrangement. The issue is that he's drawn the column abutting the brickwork which doesn't work as the front of the column can't be dressed in brick.
I questioned him about this and he said "am not an architect but usually in this sort of situation the column would have timber inserts and be either timber clad or rendered although there may be problems with cracking."
I appreciate that his drawing is just indicative, but there must be a more common approach to this situation? I'd be really grateful of any advice anyone's able to offer.