Metal bar

[Sarah dobe]

Hi

Been painting my sash windows over the summer , just wondered is there a name for the iron flat bar that is under the soldier course above the sash .. I’m assuming it’s incase the soldier course fails to give some protection .. just curious if it actually has a name to it

 

[Cubist]

I believe that would be a weather strip or drip edge designed to direct rainwater away from the wall. @stuart45 will correct me if I'm wrong I'm sure.

 

[Sarah dobe]

Thanks so nothing to do with the above … I didn’t think it would give much protection ..

 

[stuart45]

Could be this if it's a soldier course rather than a flat arch.
The bar adds a bit of support if the frame is set back.
It's a mild steel bar. I've had to remove a few in the past when they've rusted and pushed the brickwork above.

 

[Sarah dobe]

It’s a segmental arch it’s not caused any brick damage so far . I’ve never painted it and was curious , it has rusted was gon g to rub it down and red oxy then gloss for protection. Thank you for the answer and picture very helpful

 

[stuart45]

A segmental arch should normally be self supporting. You sometimes find flat bars under rough arches in fireplaces, but generally in face work they don't need a bar. It could possibly been installed as a drip bar as cubist suggested. Have you got a photo?

 

[Cubist]

I'm thinking this is a fairly modern house. When @Sarah dobe said it was an arch I did a quick search and was surprised to find that there are steel and even concrete arched lintels on the market now.... but then one of those could have been retro fitted I guess.

 

[stuart45]

I think that Catnic was the first company to produce arch lintels. Before this, one of the main problems with arch construction in cavity walls was moisture control with water running down the inside of the outer skin.
Apart from these types of lintels you can now get ones with the arch already formed on the lintel with brick slips bonded to it. So if you need a camber arch built with rubbed brickwork you can order the lintel and install as it is, without having to cut or lay a brick on the arch.

 

[a twig]

Apart from these types of lintels you can now get ones with the arch already formed on the lintel with brick slips bonded to it. So if you need a camber arch built with rubbed brickwork you can order the lintel and install as it is, without having to cut or lay a brick on the arch.

Where’s the fun in that?!

 

[LadyArowana]

Where’s the fun in that?!

Shocking isn’t it, you can allegedly buy brand new houses some of which are even well built and eco efficient, but like you say “where’s the fun in that”