Lintel vs. Header — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on November 2, 2023
A lintel is a horizontal support across the top of a door or window, while a header is a beam placed over an opening in a wall.
Difference Between Lintel and Header
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A lintel is a structural horizontal block that spans the space or opening between two vertical supports. It is commonly used over portals, doors, windows, and fireplaces. Historically, lintels have been made of wood, stone, or concrete, and they are often found in the architecture of older buildings. A header, on the other hand, refers to a beam placed perpendicular to wall studs above doors, windows, and other openings, usually in wood frame construction.
Lintels serve as a key architectural feature in many historical structures and are designed to bear the load of the structure above the openings. The lintel transfers vertical loads to the surrounding structure. Headers, while similar in function, are typically part of the internal framework of a building, hidden from view, and are specifically engineered to support the weight of the wall and roof without imposing a load on the window or door.
In construction terminology, the term 'lintel' is often used interchangeably with 'header', but traditionally, a lintel refers to a beam supporting the load over an opening in masonry construction. Headers are more commonly associated with wooden frame structures where they are part of the wall structure, providing support for the floors or roof above.
Despite their structural similarities, lintels can be distinguished by their placement and visibility in a building. Lintels can be ornamental, often forming part of the aesthetic design of a building, showcasing craftsmanship and artistry. Headers are utilitarian, designed to be strong and functional, and are typically covered by wall finishes.
Understanding the difference between a lintel and a header is crucial for architects, engineers, and builders as they design and construct buildings. The selection between a lintel and a header can affect not only the appearance of a building but also its structural integrity, affecting how loads are transferred down to the ground.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Horizontal support across openings in masonry.
Beam over openings in framed structures.
Composition
Often stone, concrete, or wood.
Usually wood, but can also be steel.
Visibility
Can be a visible and decorative element.
Typically concealed within the wall structure.
Load Distribution
Spreads the load to the sides of the opening.
Transfers load to vertical supports away from the opening.
Architectural Use
More common in masonry or historical buildings.
Common in modern wood frame construction.
Compare with Definitions
Lintel
A beam over an opening to support the structure above.
The stone lintel above the ancient door was intricately carved.
Header
A framing beam placed over an opening in a wall.
The contractor installed a new header for the expanded window.
Lintel
A horizontal architectural piece across the top of an opening.
A decorative lintel can add character to a simple facade.
Header
A horizontal structural member used in wood frame buildings.
Headers are essential for redistributing the load around openings.
Lintel
A structural element that carries the load over an opening.
The architect emphasized the lintel in the design for aesthetic appeal.
Header
A beam that supports the weight above a window or door.
They reinforced the header to support the second story.
Lintel
A crosspiece separating a door from a window above.
The lintel was inscribed with the year the house was built.
Header
The uppermost beam in wall framing, above doors or windows.
A strong header is crucial for the integrity of the frame.
Lintel
A horizontal support across doorways or windows in masonry.
They replaced the old wooden lintel with a more durable steel one.
Header
A crosspiece over an opening in a wall for support.
The header was carefully sized according to the building codes.
Lintel
A lintel or lintol is a structural horizontal block that spans the space or opening between two vertical supports. It can be a decorative architectural element, or a combined ornamented structural item.
Header
A shot or pass made with the head.
Lintel
A horizontal support of timber, stone, concrete, or steel across the top of a door or window.
Header
A headlong fall or dive.
Lintel
A horizontal structural member, such as a beam or stone, that spans an opening, as between the uprights of a door or window or between two columns or piers.
Header
A brick or stone laid at right angles to the face of a wall.
Lintel
(architectural element) A horizontal structural beam spanning an opening, such as between the uprights of a door or a window, and which supports the wall above.
Header
A line or block of text appearing at the top of each page of a book or document.
Lintel
A horizontal member spanning an opening, and carrying the superincumbent weight by means of its strength in resisting crosswise fracture.
Header
A raised tank of water maintaining pressure in a plumbing system.
Lintel
Horizontal beam used as a finishing piece over a door or window
Header
A person who ropes a steer by its head (as opposed to its heels), especially in a team-roping rodeo event
The steer ran straight and the header made a good catch
Header
A mad or foolish person.
Header
One that fits a head on an object.
Header
One that removes a head from an object, especially a machine that reaps the heads of grain and passes them into a wagon or receptacle.
Header
A pipe that serves as a central connection for two or more smaller pipes.
Header
A floor or roof beam placed between two long beams that supports the ends of the tailpieces.
Header
A brick or stone laid at a right angle to the face of a wall so that only its short end is showing. Also called bonder.
Header
(Informal) A headlong dive or fall.
Header
(Sports) A pass or shot made in soccer by heading the ball.
Header
Textual information, such as a title, date, or page number, positioned in the top margin of a page and usually repeated throughout a document.
Header
A raised tank or hopper that maintains a constant pressure or supply to a system, especially the small tank that supplies water to a central heating system.
Header
The upper portion of a page (or other) layout.
If you reduce the header of this document, the body will fit onto a single page.
Header
Text, or other visual information, used to mark off a quantity of text, often titling or summarizing it.
Your header is too long; "Local Cannibals" will suffice.
Header
Text, or other visual information, that goes at the top of a column of information in a table.
That column should have the header "payment status".
Header
(informal) A font, text style, or typesetting used for any of the above.
Parts of speech belong in a level-three header. Level-two headers are reserved for the name of the language.
Header
(computing) The first part of a file or record that describes its contents.
The header includes an index, an identifier, and a pointer to the next entry.
Header
(programming) header file
Header
(networking) the first part of a packet or stream, often containing its address and descriptors.
The encapsulation layer adds an eight-byte header and a two-byte trailer to each packet.
Header
(masonry) A brick that is laid sideways at the top of a wall or within the brickwork with the short side showing.
This wall has four header courses.
Header
A horizontal structural or finish piece over an opening.
Header
A machine that separates and gathers the heads of grain etc.
They fed the bale into the header.
Header
(soccer) The act of hitting the ball with the head.
His header for the goal followed a perfect corner kick.
Header
(soccer) Someone who heads the ball.
Diving header
Header
A headlong fall, jump or dive.
The clown tripped over the other clown and took a header.
Header
A raised tank that supplies water at constant pressure, especially to a central heating and hot water system.
Header
A pipe which connects several smaller pipes.
Common practice is to use plastic pipes with iron headers.
Header
The rodeo performer who drives the steer toward the heeler to be tied.
Header
One who puts a head on something.
Header
To strike (a ball) with one's head.
Header
One who, or that which, heads nails, rivets, etc., esp. a machine for heading.
Header
One who heads a movement, a party, or a mob; head; chief; leader.
Header
A brick or stone laid with its shorter face or head in the surface of the wall.
Header
A reaper for wheat, that cuts off the heads only.
Header
A fall or plunge head first, as while riding a bicycle, or a skateboard, or in bathing; - sometimes, implying the striking of the head on the ground; as, to take a header.
Header
A line of text serving to indicate what the passage below it is about;
The heading seemed to have little to do with the text
Header
Horizontal beam used as a finishing piece over a door or window
Header
Brick that is laid sideways at the top of a wall
Header
A framing member crossing and supporting the ends of joists, studs, or rafters so as to transfer their weight to parallel joists, studs, or rafters
Header
A machine that cuts the heads off grain and moves them into a wagon
Header
(soccer) the act of hitting the ball with your head
Header
A headlong jump (or fall);
He took a header into the shrubbery
Common Curiosities
Do lintels provide insulation?
Lintels themselves do not provide insulation, but they support the structure that may include insulation.
Can a lintel be made of wood?
Yes, lintels can be made of wood, especially in traditional or residential buildings.
Can headers be exposed as a design feature?
While headers are usually hidden, they can be exposed for aesthetic reasons.
Are lintels only used in exterior walls?
No, lintels can be used in both exterior and interior wall openings.
Are headers necessary for all doors and windows?
Yes, headers are typically required above doors and windows to support the load.
Is there a standard size for headers?
Header sizes are not standard and vary according to the load and span.
How do lintels affect architectural design?
Lintels can enhance the aesthetic of a building and influence the facade design.
How are headers sized?
Headers are sized based on the load they need to carry and the span of the opening.
What materials are used for headers in construction?
Headers can be made of wood, engineered wood products, or steel.
Is a header the same as a beam?
Yes, a header is a type of beam used in the construction of openings in walls.
Do lintels play a role in load-bearing walls?
Yes, lintels are crucial in redistributing loads in load-bearing walls.
Can lintels be decorative?
Yes, lintels often serve as decorative architectural elements.
Can a header be used in a non-load-bearing wall?
Yes, headers can be used in non-load-bearing walls for uniformity and to accommodate future modifications.
Are lintels required by building codes?
Yes, building codes typically require lintels over openings in masonry structures.
What's the primary function of a header?
The primary function of a header is to transfer the load from above an opening to the surrounding structure.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
