Whatever kind of opening a lintel is over, window, doorway or something else, the weight of the structure above the lintel is best distributed on the blockwork below using Padstones.
Padstones
If you ask anyone outside of the building industry what materials go into the construction of a brick or block building, you’ll probably get much the same answer from most. You’ll hear bricks, blocks, mortar or cement and maybe (if they’re feeling really clever) they might mention lintels. However, you’ll rarely hear mention of those essential companions of lintels, the humble Padstones.
Padstones, as we’ve explained previously on this site, are specialised concrete blocks that are placed beneath the ends of a lintel. No matter what kind of opening the lintel is over, whether it’s above a window, a doorway or something else, the weight of the blockwork above the lintel and the weight of the lintel itself is transferred to the blocks either side of the opening. This is true for both concrete and steel lintels. (Diagram opposite illustrates installation with an RSJ).
Without padstones, this weight would apply a damaging, crushing force to the blocks directly contacted by the lintel. Padstones however are made of stronger denser stuff than normal blockwork. Padstones from KPC are manufactured with 40N/Sq mm concrete creating a block that will take a considerable weight from above and effectively distribute it across the blockwork below preventing cracks and structural damage.
Versatility in Size, Shape and Orientation
With Padstones from KPC you get supreme versatility. Our standard sizes available ex-stock are listed below and can be installed in whatever orientation is appropriate for its purpose within the structure; they may even be doubled up if necessary. But as always our Padstones can be made to any size and specification.
Standard sizes – available ex-stock:
- 215 x 100 x 900mm
- 215 x 100 x 665mm
- 215 x 100 x 450mm
- 215 x 215 x 900mm
- 215 x 215 x 665mm
- 215 x 215 x 450mm
- 300 x 215 x 900mm
- 300 x 215 x 665mm
- 300 x 215 x 450mm
Contact our team at KPC to see how precast concrete Padstones from KPC can provide concrete structural support for your project. Click here for our Padstones page.
Contact us by phone or email and see how we can meet your needs for construction materials. We think you’ll be pleasantly surprised. See our Contact Us page for contact information.
