What is required to support masonry veneer above an opening?

To support masonry veneer above an opening, a lintel is required. A lintel is a horizontal structural element that spans the top of a door or window opening and is designed to bear the weight of the masonry above it. Its primary function is to distribute the load from the materials above, preventing sagging or collapse of the structure.

Using a lintel ensures that the forces exerted by the masonry veneer are transferred appropriately to the wall below, maintaining the integrity and stability of the wall assembly. This is essential when dealing with masonry, as the weight can be considerable, and proper support must be installed to avoid structural failures.

The other answers include materials or components that do not fulfill this specific function for masonry veneer. Plywood, for instance, is not a structural support in that context—it may be used in different applications but does not serve to bear loads in the same way as a lintel. A header is typically associated with framing in wood construction, which is not directly applicable to masonry structures. A beam could potentially support loads, but it is not specifically designed for the singular purpose of spanning openings in masonry like a lintel is.