Historic Masonry Project Photos
Helpful information for owners of historic brick buildings, older masonry structures, and exterior spaces throughout Washington, DC and Old Town Alexandria. Use this page to find brochures, topic-specific FAQs, and recent articles from Renaissance Development’s masonry restoration team. To see how we restore failing mortar, read about our tuckpointing service.
Expert tuckpointing restores clean lines and definition to a brick façade while preserving the character and craftmanship that make it...
Historic brickwork is full of details worth paying attention to, and the areas around windows are no exception.
Brick arches...
As the season turns colder, it can be useful to notice where rainwater collects and whether any mortar joints look...
A small DC backyard can become your favorite room—with no roof required.
A thoughtfully designed brick patio adds a welcoming...
At Renaissance Development, we believe the best masonry work complements its surroundings.
From well-maintained brick steps to walkways carefully matched...
Mortar may seem like a small part of a brick wall, but it plays an important role in how that...
There's something special about the details found on Washington, DC's historic brick homes.
From decorative brickwork to carefully shaped window...
A well-designed entry should feel like it belongs with the home.
Here, the existing concrete steps were replaced with brick...
There’s a reason careful masonry work takes time.
It’s hands-on, methodical, and built around the details. Before a finished façade...
The meeting of brick and stone can tell you a lot about a building.
The way different materials come together—their...
Historic brick buildings don’t always need exposed brick to make an impression.
Painted façades still rely on the masonry beneath...
Brick paving can make an outdoor space feel more connected to the architecture around it.
Here, the completed walkway creates...
An arched opening brings plenty of character on its own.
When the surrounding brickwork is clean and carefully detailed, the...
Stone brings weight, texture, and character to an outdoor space.
Stone paving works especially well when the layout is simple...
Chimneys are easy to overlook—until they need attention.
On older homes, they’re an important part of both the building’s character...
A change in paving can give an outdoor space an entirely different character.
Here, the finished patio replaces the plain...
Good steps do more than get you from one level to another.
Well-designed brick steps can connect the house, garden,...
The walk to the front door sets the tone before anyone steps inside.
Brick paving can make an entry feel...
Some of the most important details in historic restoration are found overhead.
Cornices, parapets, and upper façades often give a...
An entry is a small part of a property, but the masonry around it has a strong visual presence.
The...
A simple curve, a well-defined brick edge, and materials that complement the existing architecture can make a big difference in...
The mortar joints are an important part of a historic brick building.
Tuckpointing, also called repointing, is the process of...
Behind the scaffolding, preservation is taking place.
Restoring historic brickwork takes more than replacing old mortar. Every step—from preparation and...
Exposed brick brings a completely different character to an interior space.
Here, the finished masonry adds warmth, texture, and architectural...
Historic masonry often rewards a closer look.
The stone, brick, shadows, joints, and carved details create depth that a flat...
Exterior masonry can bring structure and definition to a property.
Brick retaining walls, steps, and walkways help organize outdoor spaces...
Washington, DC’s historic neighborhoods are known for their beautiful brick retaining walls and tiered gardens that frame many of the...
Preservation-minded masonry work is not about making an old building look new.
It is about helping the original character remain...
A closer look at what careful masonry restoration can accomplish.
The finished wall shows clean, consistent mortar joints while preserving...
A well-designed patio can feel like a natural extension of your home.
Brick patios, garden walls, planted borders, and seating...
The details matter.
Mortar color, joint profile, brick texture, and overall composition all affect how a restored façade looks and...
A historic facade is rarely made up of just one material.
Brick, stone, wood trim, metalwork, paint colors, shadows, and...
Inside a historic home, exposed brick can change the feeling of an entire room.
It adds warmth, texture, and a...
Brick steps do a lot of work.
They welcome guests, handle daily use, frame the entry, and take on the...
Some homes make their history visible from the sidewalk.
The brick, shutters, trim, entryway, and surrounding landscape all work together...
A walkway does more than lead you to the door.
On a historic property, the materials outside the home help...
Capitol Hill’s historic buildings are full of architectural details worth preserving.
From patterned brickwork to distinctive rooflines and window details,...
Historic brickwork has a character that is hard to replicate.
On older buildings, masonry care is about preserving that character...
Around windows, doors, and rooflines, failing mortar can be especially noticeable — and it can also leave the masonry more...
Capitol Hill is known for its beautiful historic brick homes — and this one is a wonderful example of the...
What is tuckpointing?
Tuckpointing, also called repointing, is the process of removing deteriorated mortar from between bricks and replacing it...
Scaffolding is up in SE! We are proud to serve our neighbors in all quadrants of The District. Swipe to...
It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood🏡 A special thanks goes to our foreman, Nelson, for his detailed craftsmanship 👏🏻...
Tuckpointing makes all the difference 🤩 Swipe to see how dark and inconsistent this facade looked before our team worked...
Newly completed #brick stairs in #CapitolHill! We are proud to serve our #neighbors. 🏘 #rendevdc #tuckpointing #historicpreservation #exteriormasonry #iseedc #bricks...
