The exterior brickwork of historic brick homes in the Washington DC area conveys a rich sense of history. The first impression of these well-maintained homes is enhanced by landscaping. When upgrading your old home’s curb appeal, remember the value of its gardens.

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 […]

In the historic neighborhoods of Washington DC, brick walkways and steps of homes, in deep reds, oranges and browns, create unique curb appeal for entryways – until they need repair. Bricks that are broken, cracked, buckling or uneven are not only unattractive but also present a safety hazard.  Repairs made in the fall will ease […]

The exposed mortar in many old brick Washington DC chimneys is particularly vulnerable to weather damage. The right mortar joints can last for 25 years or more, but are greatly affected by the weather. If your historic home has a brick chimney, it may need to be repaired before the winter weather hits.

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. 

If you are the owner of an old brick house in the DC area, you 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 […]

It’s time to get started on your fall home maintenance. You can take measures to prevent winter damage and get a boost in energy efficiency before the weather turns unfriendly. Here are some must-do items for your home maintenance checklist. 

In the historic neighborhoods of Washington, DC and Alexandria VA homeowners mount flagpoles to their brick homes. Whether displaying the “Stars and Stripes” to celebrate holidays like Memorial Day, Flag Day and the 4th of July or a decorative garden flag, a flagpole adds character to a DC brick home. To make sure that it remains […]

The oldest of historic brick homes have solid brick walls of two or more layers called wythes, with plaster covered interior walls. Owners who expose an interior brick wall as part of the restoration are then faced with the question of how to hang a picture on a brick wall. 

Historic brick homes in DC are known for their unique and stately classic features. However, like the lovely but leaky original windows, many of these features are not as energy efficient as you would like. Fortunately, there are strategies to improve energy efficiency in historic brick homes without compromising their authenticity.