Blind Fittings/Steel Lintels

[road2ruin]

A question for those more experienced that myself! In previous properties our lintels were concrete and whilst they were a pain to drill into once the hole was sorted you stuck in a fixing and job done.

In our new(ish) property the lintels appear to be steel. I have been asked to put up some blinds and domestic management want's them fixed to the top of the window rather than into the sides so whilst I can drill a hole through the plaster and then through the steel I find that there is a void which means whilst the fixing looks okay it's really only just about hanging onto the surface and it's just not solid which isn't ideal for a blind which will be pulled downwards when putting up/down. My question is whether there is a specialist fixing I can should be using that will give a more solid result. I hope this makes sense!! TIA

 

[Canary_Yellow]

I might be misunderstanding what you mean, apologies in advance if so, but would a plasterboard type fixing not do it?

 

[road2ruin]

I might be misunderstanding what you mean, apologies in advance if so, but would a plasterboard type fixing not do it?

To be honest DIY isn't one of my strongpoints so it is probably the way I explain it. Essentially I drill through the plaster and hit the steel, I then drill through the steel however once through it's into a void above. The actual depth of material for a rawlplug to grip to before hitting nothing beyond the lintel seems quite little if that makes sense?

 

[clubchamp98]

A question for those more experienced that myself! In previous properties our lintels were concrete and whilst they were a pain to drill into once the hole was sorted you stuck in a fixing and job done.

In our new(ish) property the lintels appear to be steel. I have been asked to put up some blinds and domestic management want's them fixed to the top of the window rather than into the sides so whilst I can drill a hole through the plaster and then through the steel I find that there is a void which means whilst the fixing looks okay it's really only just about hanging onto the surface and it's just not solid which isn't ideal for a blind which will be pulled downwards when putting up/down. My question is whether there is a specialist fixing I can should be using that will give a more solid result. I hope this makes sense!! TIA

We put a wooden battern across the window opening.
When you drill the holes to put it on fill the void with expanding foam before final fixing.
Get as much in as you can by drilling extra holes where you can’t see under the wood.
It’s not perfect but it makes the plasterboard a bit more solid.
Then put the blind on the wood.

 

[clubchamp98]

To be honest DIY isn't one of my strongpoints so it is probably the way I explain it. Essentially I drill through the plaster and hit the steel, I then drill through the steel however once through it's into a void above. The actual depth of material for a rawlplug to grip to before hitting nothing beyond the lintel seems quite little if that makes sense?

My first post thought the cavity was between the board and lintel misunderstood.

You need a plug that folds on itself once through the steel .
Most plasterboard ones will do as long as they are long enough.
Easy fix hollow wall anchors will do the job. Google it.

 

[Mel Smooth]

If you are going through the plasterboard and hitting metal straight away, then it isn't a standard H beam, sounds like it could be box section. Anyway, wooden batten, no nails adheaive on the back, fixed through the plasterboard and into the steel using self tappers.

I'd always put a wooden batten up for a blind, mounting brackets are never particularly big and it's very difficult to get a good, long lastiing fixing into plaster.

 

[PhilTheFragger]

I believe @Golfmmad used to be a professional blind fitter

He’s yer man ?

 

[Bunkermagnet]

Something like these help? Plasterboard fixings, Axminster power tools

 

[Golfmmad]

A question for those more experienced that myself! In previous properties our lintels were concrete and whilst they were a pain to drill into once the hole was sorted you stuck in a fixing and job done.

In our new(ish) property the lintels appear to be steel. I have been asked to put up some blinds and domestic management want's them fixed to the top of the window rather than into the sides so whilst I can drill a hole through the plaster and then through the steel I find that there is a void which means whilst the fixing looks okay it's really only just about hanging onto the surface and it's just not solid which isn't ideal for a blind which will be pulled downwards when putting up/down. My question is whether there is a specialist fixing I can should be using that will give a more solid result. I hope this makes sense!! TIA

If, as I understand it, the steel lintel is directly behind the plasterboard then all you need is a 3.5mm hss drill bit (a new one). Use a bradawl to get through plasterboard and then drill lintel. By only piercing plasterboard it will leave plenty of surface area for bracket. Use a self tapping screw dipped in a bit of washing up liquid to lubricate screw making it easier to drive in.
A wooden batten is one way but a bit 90's in today's decor.

 

[anotherdouble]

We had this problem and wife contacted blind company and the did fixings that you attached to the window frame itself

 

[Golfmmad]

We had this problem and wife contacted blind company and the did fixings that you attached to the window frame itself

That's another way as long as customer doesn't mind you drilling in to frame.
Also domestic management wants them fixed outside recess. ?

 

[BiMGuy]

Drill a small pilot hole in the steel then use self tapping screws to fix the brackets.

 

[Golfmmad]

Drill a small pilot hole in the steel then use self tapping screws to fix the brackets.

As in post 9. ?

 

[road2ruin]

Thank you for the responses, pootled down to Screwfix yesterday morning and went down the self tapping screw route. All went without incident and the client appears to be nice and solid!! Brownie points earnt especially as it was Father's Day!!