Possible lintel in 60s semi

[Professionally nosey]

Hi

 

I'm replacing an old pvc window as part of a self build extension and i can't work out if the old window has a lintel. 

 

It certainly doesn't have a conventional metal one as would now, but it has something. 

 

There's is a 100mm wide piece of timber that runs the length of the window (and beyond) that's in the cavity and at the height of the soldier course. It's not easy to see what it's supported on but the soldier course is completely level with no cracking so I'm assuming the timber is providing some sort of support.

 

Any ideas what it is and how strong it is?

 

Thanks

[ProDave]

Picture please.

[Professionally nosey]

Sorry you can't see it super clearly as the plaster is still in place but hopefully this gives an idea. 

 

It's taken from outside looking up at the soldier course 

[Professionally nosey]

This might help as well, gives a bit more perspective. You can see there's no cracks or distortion in the soldiers and there was 2mm gap between the top of the window i took out and the soldiers so it hasn't settled at all. 

[Mr Punter]

Is this an RBM beam?  Hopefully someone who knows will clarify.

[Nickfromwales]

[Professionally nosey]

Yeah it doesn't look quite like that. I had one on another window and it's just the timber in the cavity, i don't really have any bricks spanning it other than one at each end of the timber to support the timber. 

 

I was going to fit an angle lintel to support the brick work just to be sure but the timber is up quite tight against the soldiers and can't really fit it without dismantling large parts of the wall. 

 

I'm tempted to leave it as is, it's done the job for over 60 years with no deflection or cracking and the timber is still in really great shape.