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.

It’s not too early to plan for 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. 

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. 

Owners of old houses frequently face the challenge of how to upgrade without losing the charm of historic features.  Old brick row houses are a prominent feature of the Washington DC area’s oldest and most architecturally diverse neighborhoods. These 100-year old historic homes are a good example of how to make decisions about upgrades.

You are the proud owner of a beautiful old house located in a neighborhood of historic homes. You and your neighbors value the quality and aesthetics of your homes and are careful to preserve their authenticity whenever you make renovations. Did you know that it’s possible to have the modern updates and conveniences that smart […]

Historic homes have a magical look and feel that is unrivaled. The artistry and craftsmanship of a historic home are hard for modern homes to match. Many feature old brick facades, with streetscapes defined by brick walkways and retaining walls. When planning the renovation, those interested in maintaining the historic charm will proceed carefully.

Owners of historic brick homes in DC often face structural challenges to the exterior of their homes – repair and maintenance of brick facades, steps and walkways that require professional expertise.  The interior spaces also require frequent home repairs to worn out systems and surfaces. Some of these can be handled with “do-it-yourself” homeowner skills. 

Many historic homes in DC have brick steps and walkways. If properly built and well maintained, these classic entry ways have lasted for decades. Bricks are durable and reflect the formality of the historic design. Repairs should be done in a way that maintains their architectural and structural integrity.

If you are the owner of an old brick house in the DC area, you have likely heard of tuckpointing. Also known as repointing, tuckpointing 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 […]

Are you thinking about buying and restoring an old house? The chances are that you are “curb appeal shopping” in one of DC’s historic neighborhoods. In spring and summer when homeowners refresh their entrances, gardens, and walkways, the stately elegance of historic DC brick homes can be seductive. Here are some things about old houses […]