This bar supports the front edge of the chimney and extends over the top of the firebox. Many interior designers, contractors, and do-it-yourselfers are guilty of omitting this important chimney component. While the fireplace lintel may not appear to be crucial, it is vital to the safety of your home. The fireplace lintel, also known as the lintel bar, is a horizontal beam that supports the chimney and runs the length of the fireplace. It usually extends about 4 inches into either side of the wall. It’s a brick or stone arch that extends over the firebox and into the walls in some situations.

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A wooden lintel is common in older homes, whereas steel, stone, brick, or concrete lintel is more common in newer structures. Lintels made of steel or concrete last the longest. A lintel is required by most building rules for a fireplace. It is essential for bearing the weight of the chimney and protecting other components from the fire’s high temperatures. It can be an expensive mistake to remove it. A lintel’s principal function is to provide structural support.

Over time, mortar joints and bricks can degrade. If the masonry degrades, the front of your chimney could collapse into the firebox if it doesn’t have a lintel. This is prevented by the lintel. It also provides a solid base for your fireplace, allowing it to endure the vibrations of power tools used during rigorous chimney cleanings. The lintel bar also protects the chimney masonry from the peak temperatures of the fire. While the materials used to construct fireplaces are meant to endure extreme heat, they can still be shattered and damaged by it. The lintel helps to decrease the amount of heat that the rest of the chimney is exposed to.

As a result, the chimney’s life is extended and the possibility of cracks or other heat damage is reduced. The primary reason that designers, contractors, and homeowners remove a lintel is to increase the height of the firebox. While this may appear to be more enticing, it reduces the efficiency of your fires and increases the likelihood of smoke.