Türsturz

Türsturz is a German architectural term for the horizontal structural element placed above a doorway to carry and distribute loads from the wall or floors above. In English it corresponds to the lintel or door header. Türstürze are both functional and, frequently, decorative, serving to maintain an opening’s integrity while permitting passage.

Historically Türstürze were made of stone or timber in ancient and traditional buildings; their form and material reflected available technology and aesthetic conventions. With the Industrial Revolution and modern construction, steel and reinforced concrete became common for their higher strength and reduced depth, enabling wider openings and slimmer profiles. Decorative variants may include carved stone, molded wood, or cast metal elements, and in many cultures lintels were inscribed or ornamented for symbolic or commemorative purposes.

From an engineering perspective a Türsturz must be sized to resist bending and shear from imposed loads, account for bearing at each end, and meet fire-protection and thermal-bridge requirements. Where wide spans are required, arches or reinforced beams are used; in masonry buildings, relieving arches may be combined with a lintel. Maintenance and conservation of historic Türstürze involve assessing material decay, structural cracking, and compatibility of repair materials. Related terms include Sturz (general lintel) and Schwelle (threshold).