Masonry support systems (often called shelf angles or brick support angles) are steel supports fixed back to a building’s structural frame to carry external masonry where it cannot bear on foundations. They’re most commonly used on steel or concrete framed buildings at floor edges, set-backs, and other discontinuities. Because the correct arrangement depends on project geometry, loading, movement and exposure, these systems are typically supplied with a design service and scheduled from drawings.
A quick reality check
Masonry support is one of those topics where you can write something that sounds generally correct and still mislead people into the wrong assumptions. The systems themselves aren’t complicated. The interfaces are. Most on-site problems come from movement, tolerances and moisture detailing being treated as optional extras, when they’re actually the whole point.
This page is practical guidance: what these systems do, where they’re used, what drives the spec, and what tends to go wrong.
What a masonry support system is
A masonry support system is an engineered assembly that carries the weight of masonry and transfers that load back to the main structure. In practice it’s normally a support angle combined with brackets and fixings to the frame, with allowance for tolerances and movement. Unlike a lintel, it’s not just a thing over an opening. It’s usually part of the façade strategy across floor levels or long elevations.
What’s typically included
- Support angle (the element carrying the masonry)
- Brackets and frame fixings
- Packing or shimming to achieve level and tolerance
- Interfaces for movement (clearances, slip details, joint coordination)
- Coordination with restraint (ties and lateral support)
Where they’re used
You’ll usually see masonry support where the outer leaf can’t run continuously down to something that can take the load.
- Floor edges on framed buildings (supporting the masonry at each storey)
- Set-backs, transfer levels, podiums and basements (where load paths break)
- Long elevations where consistent support and controlled movement behaviour is needed
- Large or awkward openings where a lintel isn’t the right solution
- Refurbishments where structure changes but masonry appearance is retained
Masonry support systems vs lintels
A lintel is generally a local solution over an opening. Masonry support is normally a system-level solution tied to the frame and façade movement strategy.
| Topic | Lintel | Masonry support system (shelf angle) |
|---|---|---|
| Typical use | Over a single opening | Supporting continuous masonry runs or façade panels |
| Load path | Local masonry load over opening | Transfers façade masonry load back to frame |
| Movement | Usually limited movement coordination | Movement coordination is central to the design |
| Supply | Often standard sizes | Commonly scheduled from drawings |
Why they matter
Masonry support influences three things that clients actually notice later: cracking and visual defects, water management at a high-risk junction, and durability of steelwork in real UK weather. If movement and moisture detailing are right, these systems disappear into the build. If they’re wrong, they show up as floor-line cracking, uneven bed joints, staining, blocked weeps, or recurring damp call-backs.
What decides the right system
The best system isn’t a brand choice. It’s the geometry and project conditions. Here’s what typically drives the spec and what it changes.
| Design input | Why it matters | What it changes |
|---|---|---|
| Masonry load and supported height | Determines demand on the support and fixings | Angle size, bracket spacing, fixings |
| Cavity width and façade build-up | Affects bracket geometry and buildability | Bracket type, packing, tolerance strategy |
| Frame type and expected movement | Drives differential movement between frame and façade | Clearances, joint locations, support positions |
| Exposure and required design life | Affects corrosion risk and durability | Galvanised vs stainless, protective detailing |
| Moisture and thermal detailing | Support points are where water and thermal bridges show up | Cavity trays, weeps, insulation continuity, thermal breaks |
Movement is not optional
When people say allow for movement, what they really mean is don’t accidentally lock masonry to a frame that will move differently.
Concrete frames shorten over time (creep and shrinkage). Steel frames deflect under load. Both move thermally. Masonry has its own movement behaviour, and it doesn’t match the frame’s timeline.
If the façade is restrained, you tend to get cracking at floor lines and around openings, masonry unintentionally attracting load, and distortion that looks cosmetic until it becomes a maintenance problem.
The practical takeaway is simple: movement needs coordinating early. Support location, joint positions and clearances should be decided before façade setting-out is locked in.
Moisture detailing at support level
Support angles sit right where cavity geometry changes, which is exactly where water management goes wrong if the detail is vague or left to site judgement. Water gets into cavities. The question is whether it has a clean route out, without being redirected onto steelwork or blocked by insulation, mortar snots, or missing weeps.
At support levels, the design should clearly show how cavity trays, stop ends and weep provision work with the support. On site, someone needs to check the cavity stays clear and the drainage route remains real, not theoretical.
Installation: what actually needs checking
You can have a perfect schedule and still end up with a mess if installation is loose. These are the checks that tend to make the difference.
- Level and line are correct along the run (small errors become very visible)
- Packing or shimming is done as intended (not improvised)
- Fixings are correct for the frame and installed properly
- Cavity is not bridged and drainage paths are not blocked
- Cavity trays and weeps are installed, continuous, and unobstructed
- Restraint and movement interfaces match the façade strategy
Common problems and what prevents them
| What goes wrong | What it looks like | Typical cause | Prevention |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cracking at floor lines | Stepped cracks or horizontal cracking | Movement or deflection not accommodated | Coordinate movement strategy, joints, clearances |
| Uneven bed joints | Visible waviness at support level | Poor tolerance or mis-set supports | Correct setting-out, packing and inspection |
| Damp or staining at support | Marks and moisture near floor edge | Cavity tray or weeps missing or blocked | Clear tray and weep detailing plus site checks |
| Corrosion risk | Staining, rusting, durability concerns | Wrong finish or exposure assumptions | Select material based on exposure and keep steel out of persistent wetting |
| Masonry hung up on frame | Cracking and local load transfer | Masonry built tight to structure | Clearances plus supervision at critical interfaces |
Design responsibility and specification support
Masonry support systems are normally project-designed and scheduled from drawings. We can help you get to the right solution quickly by coordinating with the appropriate design service and ensuring the support strategy aligns with the façade build-up, movement expectations and installation sequencing.
If you can share relevant drawings (elevations, sections and key structural information), we can help scope what’s needed and move to a sensible schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a masonry support system and a lintel?
A lintel supports masonry over a single opening. A masonry support system supports longer runs or façade panels and transfers loads back to the building frame, typically at floor levels or major discontinuities.
Do masonry support systems need to allow for movement?
Yes. Differential movement between the frame and masonry façade is a core design input. If it’s not accommodated, cracking, distortion and unintended load transfer can occur.
Which is better: galvanised or stainless steel?
It depends on exposure conditions and design life. Galvanised steel suits many standard applications where moisture detailing is well controlled. Stainless steel may be appropriate in more aggressive environments or where longer-term durability is required.
Are masonry support systems loadbearing?
They carry the weight of the masonry façade, but they are not usually part of the primary structural frame. Their job is to transfer masonry loads safely back to the main structure.
When do I need masonry support instead of a lintel?
Use a lintel for typical openings. Use masonry support when supporting continuous masonry, multi-storey façade masonry, or where masonry must be supported at floor edges or transfer levels on framed buildings.
Can Wade help design masonry support systems?
We can assist with specification support and coordination, including liaising with the relevant design service and helping ensure the support strategy is buildable and aligned with the project requirements.
