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Arches have gone out of popularity over the last 60 years in favour of structural shelf angles made of steel. Both mothods serve the function of structurally spanning a particular opening while bearing the weight of the masonry above it. It also provides a decorative aesthetic to a home. In this article, we will discuss the pros and cons of both for the average homeowner.
Cost
True arches have all but left the industry due to the cost savings a simple steel angle can provide. The biggest expense in masonry will always be the cost of labour. Since the dawn of subdivision masonry work, home builders and accountants have been looking for ways to save money on labour. This is why most modern brick sizes are on average 30% larger than heritage bricks. It allows for a mason to lay less bricks in a day yet still be able to build more wall area (with less mortar needed too).
Another method to reducing labour costs and expenses was the advent of the steel lintel. Bricklayers are able to brick up to the top of an opening like a window, throw a lintel across the opening and essentially just keep going.
If that same window required a true arch, the masonry work would come to a halt while the bricklayer calculated the size of his brick cuts in relation to the radius and rise of the arch. He would then have to construct an arch centre, which is a temporary form used to support the masonry as it is being laid. then a labourer would have to cut all the bricks acurately and the mason would have to carefully install each brick to ensure a proper gauging and angle. Then after the mortar sets the mason will have to point all the joints in the soffit (underside) of the arch and have bricks specially cut for the coursing that touches the arch (known as creeper bricks). This process usually adds an additional day (sometimes up to 3 days) worth of work for not just a mason, but their labourer too. That is all just for one window opening!
Windows with brick arches also require custom windows to fit inside the arches or a carpenter will have to add a decorative piece or flashing below the arch (know as a tympanum).
Therefore in terms of bang for your buck, a steel lintel is a far better choice.
Longevity
Unless treated, steel lintels rust and degrade with exposure to the elements. While steel lintels are typically painted with a urethan coating, that coating usually only lasts around ten years. Lintels will start to rust and corrode on the lip of the angle shelf. The rust causes expansion and a build up of pressure that leads to cracking of mortar joints at each end of a lintel opening. It can take less than 40 years for a lintel to degrade to the point where it needs to be replaced. Sometimes brickwork cracking can be seen within a few years of construction as the lintel expands and contracts with the seasons (common over garage door openings).
An arch on the other hand, can last a lifetime before it needs repairs or repointing work done. Masonry protected from water penetration does not degrade anywhere close to that of steel. One thing to consider is that most homes today are really only built to last 50 years before major remodeling, renovations or a complete demolishion is typically done. Gone are the does of the Century Home. This makes the case for archwork longevity less strong unless you are planning to build a legacy home that will last centuries.
Aesthetique
It doesn't take a masonry purist to see that a true arch looks better on a home than a steel lintel with a stretch of soldier coursed brick (that is, the brick face standing up vertically). While soldier courses above an opening do add an interesting accent to an opening, it will never look as good as an arch constructed by a skilled mason. Arches also allow the designer, homeowner and mason get creative and take the time to truly build something unique.
Conclusion
While there should be a discussion on the beauty and longevity of arches, their absence in modern home building proves that builders/homeowners have decided that arches are not worth the additional expense in most cases.
If you are in need of having the steel lintels on your home replaced or need mortar cracks and arches repaired on your home, please reach out to us on our Request a Quote page to get the process started. We also provide new window arch constuction if you are looking to add a unique look to your home's exterior that will last. All repairs and construction services at Kavanagh Masonry are performed by a Red Seal Certified Stonemason.