Impromptu window opening needs immediate TLC...

[Kens11550]

I’m in the process of

installing a window in the living room which will be the only window in the place with a view (the previous owners boarded up

the window opening and put in a bookcase-locals think it was a dispute between neighbors!) In the process of knocking out

the bricks, I found that the window opening wasn't framed with lintels or the

thick concrete frames that you see in all the old homes.  Nothing but

loose crumbly mortar and stones.  I'm pretty confident in my DYI skills

but I'm thinking that this is pro territory? I removed the big loose stones

above the opening but I can see where the wall above has shifted over the

years--possibly the reason they bricked in their impromptu hole. Some of the

rocks are loose; nothing too dangerous but it will have to be dealt with.  Here's a photo of what I'm dealing with:

  http://i37.tinypic.com/20aw6rs.jpg

 At any rate, what are

my options?  Is it best to have someone come in and properly frame it with wood or concrete?  Anybody recommend a good mason/builder in the Aude (11)?

[Théière]

Nothing too dangerous, you're kidding. it needs supporting NOW.

Even loose stones will lock together although it may crack the wall farther up. On the other hand removing the loose stones and puting nothing in their place is asking for trouble.

 

[BIG MAC]

Two tie stones seem to be trapping this. I would suggest acrow props and strongboys to support while pockets are formed in reveals to receive PC Concrete lintels.

[La Guerriere]

Box it up in situ with some plywood, wedge in 2-3 bits of rebar and cast a lintel try for at least 200 mm deep with the rebar about 25mm from the bottom.

[Kens11550]

Can you purchase pre-formed concrete lintels in France?  Is steel better?  If I'm understanding this correctly, I just need to cut notches in each side of the window and put in the lintel, then refill the space above with stones and mortar?

[Théière]

Yes Kens11550, pre cast lintels are available at builders merchants like Point P.

 

[zeb]

....and then I'd take the labels off the glass.

[Kens11550]

Um....thanks....obviously, at this stage in the project the importance of that small task can not be over emphasized....