Bifolds in 2.5 x 2.2m wall

[James_81]

Hi all,

I’m planning a change to the kitchen in my Victorian terrace, knocking through into the old single storey extension/bathroom at the rear.

I’m looking to install bi-folds in the rear wall. The wall is only 2500 x 2200 and currently houses a window 1200 x 900. The budget is tight, so cannot raise the roof/ceiling, I therefore accept I can probably only go to a 2m height bi-fold, but what width could I realistically go to? Assume I will need a 100mm lintel?

Thanks!

 

[oldbutnotdead]

Is the bifold going into the end of the leanto kitchen/bathroom (ie outside wall)?
If the walls are full brick (so about 9") then in theory you can go full width. You will get into Party Wall Act territory if you socket the lintel into the shared wall though and your SE may advise you leave a 150mm nib on both walls as buttressing.
Bifolds also need a very stiff lintel, they are not tolerant of deflection at all.

 

[James_81]

Thanks. Yes it’s an outside wall and a full bricks width. What constitutes a stiff lintel, would the ~200mm between the top of the doors and the ceiling be sufficient?

 

[oldbutnotdead]

Yeah almost certainly, if the kitchen/bathroom bit is single storey then you'll definitely be fine with 200 headroom for the lintel.
If it is single storey it wouldn't be a massive job to get the lintel up above ceiling height (good odds the ceiling joists are running across not front to back) since you'll be working from outside