Because of its longevity and flexibility of design, in Washington, DC, brick has been a material of choice in the building of residential and commercial structures since the colonial period. Genuine clay brick – made from clay and shale – has a documented history of durability and performance. Historically appropriate restoration techniques and materials preserve […]
How to Manage Your Old House Renovation
You’ve just purchased an old DC brick house, and are eager to realize your dream of renovating a historic home. You can look beyond the neglect to see restored plaster walls, reproduction wall paper and period antiques. Here are some tips for surviving the messy and challenging process of an actual old house restoration.
What You Should Know About Painting Exterior Brick
Are you thinking about painting the exterior of your historic brick home? Whatever your reasons for a change, think carefully before making that decision. Once you paint brick, you are committed to either a cycle of repainting every three to five years or to removing the paint.
What Can Research Tell You About Historic DC Brick Homes
If you own one of the many historic brick rowhouses in the Washington DC neighborhoods, you are probably curious about who built your home and when. Thanks to the Capitol Hill Restoration Society (CHRS), a free resource is available to guide homeowners who want to research historic brick homes in DC.
What Can Research Tell You About Historic DC Brick Homes
If you own one of the many historic brick rowhouses in the Washington DC neighborhoods, you are probably curious about who built your home and when. Thanks to the Capitol Hill Restoration Society (CHRS), a free resource is available to guide homeowners who want to research historic brick homes in DC.
Why Preserve Original Windows in Historic DC Brick Homes?
The windows in historic DC brick homes are frequently an important element of the architectural integrity. Their design, craftsmanship, or other qualities may make them worthy of preservation. Although old windows can be a challenge to maintain and repair, there are many benefits to retaining existing windows.
When Your Historic Home Becomes a Tuckpointing Work Site
Your gracious historic DC brick home is showing signs of brick and mortar deterioration, and the confirmed remedy is tuckpointing. You have hired a masonry contractor who specializes in historic brick restoration. The contract is signed and the permitting process completed. Here’s what to expect when your historic home becomes a tuckpointing worksite.
Why Preserve Original Windows in Historic DC Brick Homes?
The windows in historic DC brick homes are frequently an important element of the architectural integrity. Their design, craftsmanship, or other qualities may make them worthy of preservation. Although old windows can be a challenge to maintain and repair, there are many benefits to retaining existing windows.
How to Care For Your Old Brick Home
Brick and masonry might be among the longest-lasting, most weatherproof building elements, but old brick buildings still require maintenance and repair. To ensure long-lasting structural integrity, homeowners should regularly check for water damage, conduct periodic cleaning, and have masonry joints repointed when necessary.
Three Things You Need to Know About Tuckpointing Brick
Owners of historic DC brick homes have likely heard of tuckpointing. Also known as repointing, it is the process by which the facades of brick structures are restored and maintained. Even the most savvy owners of historic homes may not know the right way to handle upkeep of a historic building’s masonry.
