Engineered lintel sizing, diamond saw-cut openings, temporary shoring and matched-brick infill — the structural scope most general contractors are not licensed to perform.
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Problem & Risk Analysis
Cutting a new opening through a brick or block wall is structural work, not finish work. Without correct lintel sizing, temporary shoring during the cut, and clean saw tolerances, the brick courses above the new opening either crack immediately or sag over the following winters as the wall loses its load path. This is not a scope a general renovator should be self-performing.
Fadom Construction is fully licensed, insured ($5M general liability + WSIB) and experienced for this scope across the GTA. Every cutout on a load-bearing wall is reviewed against the original drawings or, where unavailable, an on-site assessment by a structural engineer. The new lintel is sized to the opening width and the load above — typically a galvanized steel angle, a pre-cast concrete lintel, or a brick relieving arch on heritage work.
Existing openings that need to be enlarged, in-filled or relocated are also within scope — including matched-brick infill (heritage salvage or current production) that disappears into the original wall instead of reading as an obvious patch.
Technical Service Breakdown
Load-bearing cutouts are sized against original drawings or a structural engineer's assessment. Galvanized steel angle, pre-cast concrete lintels, or brick relieving arches are specified per opening width and load — with the required minimum 150 mm bearing each end into sound masonry.
Openings are cut with a diamond blade — clean, square tolerances that the window or door installer can follow without remedial framing. Temporary shoring is installed before the cut and remains until the new lintel has reached full bearing in cured Type S mortar.
Existing openings being closed are infilled with brick matched from heritage salvage or current production — bedded in matched mortar, tied to the existing wall with stainless screw-in ties, and tooled to the original joint profile so the infill disappears.
Materials & Specifications
| Category | Material / Specification | Engineering Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lintel Types | Galvanized steel angle, pre-cast concrete, brick relieving arch | Sized per opening + load per OBC Part 9.20 |
| Bearing | Minimum 150 mm each end into sound masonry | Per CSA S304 for masonry design |
| Saw Cut | Diamond blade wet-cut, dust suppression | Clean square tolerances for follow-on trades |
| Shoring | Engineered Acrow-style props, plate-bearing distribution | Removed only after mortar cure |
| Infill Brick | Heritage salvage, current production, hand-tinted matched | Stainless ties to existing wythe |
Code Compliance
All structural cutouts conform to Ontario Building Code Part 9.20 (Masonry) and CSA S304 (Design of Masonry Structures). Load-bearing work is performed under engineer-of-record drawings where the original structural drawings are not available. Fadom carries $5M general liability insurance and full WSIB coverage — the licensing standard required for structural masonry work on insured residential and commercial properties across the GTA. Permits are coordinated through the local municipality where required.
Service Area
Window & Door Cutouts installed across 10 cities across the Greater Toronto Area. Select your city for local pricing, lead times and recent installs.
Free on-site assessment, fixed-price quote, written workmanship warranty.
