Retrofitting shortwall bracing behind brick veneer

[boo]

Thanks to a new window, the building corners need additional shortwall 460mm hardboard bracing. I'd prefer to insert between existing brick and frame, rather than smash out bricks and replace.

I can retrofit brick ties, but nailing the sheets according to the standard looks impossible.

Any tips, or is it brick removal time?

Thanks heaps.

[Moondog55]

While this is normally done on the outside of the frame I don't see why it would not work as well on the inside, plaster is easier to replace than bricks; I'm hoping one of the chippies will jump in and confirm or negate quickly

[boo]

Thanks Moondog.


I can't meet the required 460 minimum on the inside - it requires the full external width from jamb to corner on both sides.

[Bloss]

I must be missing something - why can't the plasterboard be removed, the entire wall be braced with ply and new plaster be fitted over the top? Pics might help . . .

[boo]

Thanks guys - sorry I didn't explain too well.

The first picture shows the elevation (original and planned)

The second shows what I thought was the best bracing method using shortwall hardboard (and showing the too narrow inside dimensions for AS bracing):

However, I don't think I can do it without removing bricks, and maybe there's a better way anyway? The Pryda Wall Truss Brace maybe? Again I'm not sure about doing it without removing bricks.

But happy to hear there's much better options :)

Many thanks.

[shauck]

attachments not working

[boo]

Thx Shauck, I think I fixed it.

Something weird happening with the new forum software? Or my brain just doesn't work anymore... (could be either, seriously)

[Moondog55]

Near enough good enough perhaps, or why not just pick a smaller window?
I would have thought the use of the full interior wall would have been equivalent to the minimum as Bloss suggested

[boo]

why not just pick a smaller window?

Yes, a thought, but I already have it and I'm just matching the original size and position of the other window, if nothing but for symmetry. The window's in now, so I'll have to do the bracing soon.

I've had a suggestion of using a 2mm steel plate on the inside. Maybe a bit costly but with the right fixing spacing it may be ok. Just not sure the certifier will agree...

[intertd6]

Yes, a thought, but I already have it and I'm just matching the original size and position of the other window, if nothing but for symmetry. The window's in now, so I'll have to do the bracing soon.
Just a point here for beginners, sequencing works in this order is a recipe for disaster

I've had a suggestion of using a 2mm steel plate on the inside. Maybe a bit costly but with the right fixing spacing it may be ok. Just not sure the certifier will agree...
regards inter

[boo]

The wall is temporarily braced with a large sheet of ply on the inside, if that's what you're concerned about.

Any thoughts on the final AS compliant solution would be useful though...

[Moondog55]

No, I just think you worry too much.
Just use thicker, more rigid ply and coach screws with washers in the corners if you think 90mm is really that important.

[boo]

if you think 90mm is really that important.

I don't, but it's 90mm (~15%) less than compliant.

Outside = compliant but PITA

Inside = not compliant (too narrow) -> alternative solution.

Brace the whole wall internally with thicker structural ply it is


*Note - I actually did some maths to see why it works in this case. I don't need to brace the whole wall (only need to extend 600mm from corner to underneath windows) but obviously doing the whole thing makes it uniformly flat under the plaster. I don't want to imply that "just brace the whole wall" works in every situation.

Thanks guys :2tsup:

[intertd6]

The wall is temporarily braced with a large sheet of ply on the inside, if that's what you're concerned about.

Any thoughts on the final AS compliant solution would be useful though...
yes & thats good
regards inter

[Moondog55]

Now if doing the bracing inside, are the window reveals going to be deep enough? you may need to add a strip of packing to the architraves so there is no gap.

bracing the whole wall is to make the plaster sit flat. Insulate while the plaster is off??

[boo]

Window reveals: Yes, the windows actually protrude through the brick opening more than they need to, so can be repositioned somewhat to sit back a fair bit to close the gap.

Insulation: did think of that, however there's so much timber and window in that wall that there'd be only about 25% of the area insulated. Might do it anyway :)