Renaissance Development Washington DC
Services
Renaissance Development
Renaissance Development Inc. is a Washington, DC-based construction company that specializes in exterior masonry and historic preservation. Services offered include tuckpointing: the restoration of brick buildings using traditional methods and materials. Tuckpointing restores historic structures to their original appearance and ensures their structural integrity for decades to come.
In addition to tuckpointing, Renaissance Development builds patios, walkways, retaining walls, and steps using traditional materials that complement residences in historic neighborhoods. These building blocks—the essential components of an urban garden–can transform even the smallest yards into inviting outdoor rooms that expand a house’s living area outdoors.
Services
Tuckpointing is a complex process that involves far more than replacing failing mortar. Renaissance Development’s skilled team of craftsmen has the expertise necessary to give every project the careful attention it deserves.
"They are very professional and punctual. I truly believe they deserve the top marks they get on Angie’s List. The work was done on schedule, was completed perfectly, and really the entire process from start to finish was very good. Repointing my brick walls was not as bad as I thought it was going to be!"
- Capitol Hill, DC
Accessibility Statement
Accessibility Statement
Updated: January 2023
Renaissance Development strives to ensure that its services are accessible to people with disabilities. Renaissance Development has invested a significant amount of resources to help ensure that its website is made easier to use and more accessible for people with disabilities, with the strong belief that website accessibility efforts assist all users and that every person has the right to live with dignity, equality, comfort and independence.
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The rendevdc.com accessibility menu can be enabled by clicking the accessibility menu icon that appears on the corner of the page. After triggering the accessibility menu, please wait a moment for the accessibility menu to load in its entirety.
Renaissance Development continues its efforts to constantly improve the accessibility of its site and services in the belief that it is our collective moral obligation to allow seamless, accessible and unhindered use also for those of us with disabilities.
In an ongoing effort to continually improve and remediate accessibility issues, we also regularly scan rendevdc.com with UserWay’s Accessibility Scanner to identify and fix every possible accessibility barrier on our site. Despite our efforts to make all pages and content on rendevdc.com fully accessible, some content may not have yet been fully adapted to the strictest accessibility standards. This may be a result of not having found or identified the most appropriate technological solution.
If you are experiencing difficulty with any content on rendevdc.com or require assistance with any part of our site, please contact us during normal business hours as detailed below and we will be happy to assist.
If you wish to report an accessibility issue, have any questions or need assistance, please contact Renaissance Development Customer Support as follows:
Email: info@rendevdc.com
Commercial and Institutional
Commercial and Institutional
The renovation of historic brick buildings requires a special type of tuckpointing expertise. General contractors know that they need to subcontract historic brick restoration – tuckpointing – to a reputable company with very particular expertise in the use of traditional methods and materials required by the original bricks and lime-based mortar. Why?
Some historic DC buildings continue to be occupied and used for their original purposes. Examples of these may include schools, museums, banks, hospitals, and hotels. Others have gone through conversions over the years that have repurposed them. In some cases, historic architectural integrity has been preserved and in other cases, it has not.
Our History and Credentials
Renaissance Development LLC is the sub-contractor of choice when an old building is part of a modern-day redevelopment project; especially if the historic aspects of the building are to be restored or preserved.
Why Choose Us?
General contractors and developers that turn to Renaissance Development understand and appreciate the importance of bringing in expert trades for the restoration and preservation of old brickwork. Renaissance Development LLC applies the highest professional standards to our work as a sub-contractor.
Read more about us:
• Historic Tuckpointing Expertise
• Crew Skills and Certifications
We welcome inquiries from commercial contractors for the work of traditional tuckpointing required by the renovation of historic brick buildings in the DC area.
Tuckpointing Services
Tuckpointing Services
Renaissance Development is Washington DC’s leading masonry contractor specializing in tuckpointing – brick mortar repair using historically appropriate and traditional methods and materials – for lasting brick facade and chimney repair.
Our service area is all of Washington, DC including the historic neighborhoods of Capitol Hill, Georgetown, Dupont Circle, Shaw, Logan Circle, Adams Morgan, and Columbia Heights. We also serve most parts of Old Town Alexandria, VA.
We are experts in brick restoration and preservation for historic DC homes, schools/institutions, and commercial properties. We skillfully combine the use of historically accurate materials and methods to restore and preserve the aesthetic and integrity of centuries-old buildings. All of the services provided by Renaissance Development LLC increase a property’s value and ensure that it will last for decades and generations to come.
EXTERIOR TUCKPOINTING
Washington’s historic houses were constructed of clay bricks assembled with lime mortar. After decades of exposure, the mortar joints between the bricks begin to fail. Makeshift repairs are often made with cement, which is commonly used in new construction but inappropriate for historic buildings. We use specially formulated lime-based mortar — which is low in compressive strength and contains no cement — to tuckpoint (or re-point) brick facades and chimneys.
INTERIOR TUCKPOINTING
Renaissance Development is most often seen tuckpointing exterior facades in Washington DC’s (and Old Town Alexandria’s) oldest neighborhoods. What is less visible from the street is the interior tuckpointing work that we also provide for residential, institutional, and commercial customers. If you plan to expose a brick wall, Renaissance Development can make sure it is properly reinforced and sealed for many years of beauty and historic good looks.
Urban Gardens
Urban Gardens
COVID-19 Update: At present, we are not working on interior projects except for vacant or unoccupied buildings. We anticipate returning to these kinds of projects when pandemic restrictions are lifted, and it is once again safe for our team members and our clients. Please don’t hesitate to let us know what you have in mind. We will get you on the list!
Renaissance Development is Washington DC’s leading masonry contractor specializing in tuckpointing – brick mortar repair using historically appropriate and traditional methods and materials – for lasting brick facade and chimney repair.
Our service area is all of Washington, DC including the historic neighborhoods of Capitol Hill, Georgetown, Dupont Circle, Shaw, Logan Circle, Adams Morgan, and Columbia Heights. We also serve most parts of Old Town Alexandria, VA.
We are experts in brick restoration and preservation for historic DC homes, schools/institutions, and commercial properties. We skillfully combine the use of historically accurate materials and methods to restore and preserve the aesthetic and integrity of centuries-old buildings. All of the services provided by Renaissance Development LLC increase a property’s value and ensure that it will last for decades and generations to come.
Interior Tuckpointing
Interior Tuckpointing
The brick walls visible inside houses built before 1920 are an integral part of the exterior structure because they are one and the same. These buildings have load-bearing walls, which means that the strength of the bricks themselves, as well as the mortar between them, holds the walls in position. Originally, brick walls inside historic houses were covered with lath—wooden strips attached to the wall–covered with multiple layers of plaster. When plaster has reached the end of its life, this presents a prime opportunity to expose the brick wall underneath. The rich variety of color and texture in old bricks can set the tone for chic and inviting spaces. This makes exposed interior brick walls a popular decorative option for many homeowners.
Renaissance Development is the preeminent expert in exterior masonry and historic preservation in the Washington Metropolitan Region. To learn more, visit the “Contact Us” page or call 202.547.2345.
Commercial Services
Restoration • Rejuvenation • Rebirth
The restoration of historic brick buildings using traditional methods and materials
Commercial Services
Services
Services
Tuckpointing is a complex process that requires much more than just replacing failing mortar. Renaissance Development’s expert team has the experience and skills required to give your building the careful attention it deserves.
TUCKPOINTING
Washington’s historic houses were constructed of clay bricks assembled with lime mortar. After decades of exposure, the mortar joints between the bricks begin to fail. Makeshift repairs are often made with cement, which is commonly used in new construction but inappropriate for historic buildings. We use specially formulated lime-based mortar—which is low in compressive strength and contains no cement—to tuckpoint [or re-point] brick facades.
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING A TUCKPOINTING PROJECT
Historic homes have seemingly endless to-do lists of repairs. While homeowners might be tempted to tackle the cracks in their house’s brick walls [either inside or out], such evidence of structural failure is a clear indication that expertise is required.
SIGNS OF TROUBLE
The failure or structural integrity of an aging brick wall is most obvious when visible gaps in the mortar joints appear. Equally problematic are so-called “spot repairs” with inappropriate materials such as Portland cement, silicone caulking, or even duct tape. These makeshift efforts at repair can even contribute to the more rapid deterioration of a brick wall’s structural integrity.
An on-site evaluation is the best way for a building professional to determine the best course of action. Although many contractors claim to be “brick experts,” not all of them are equally experienced with or sensitive to the particular challenges inherent in dealing with old buildings.
CONTRACTORS AND CONTRACTS
Good communication from the outset will be the basis for a successful project. No questions are too picky or particular. Breakdown in mortar joints can also be caused by other problems, such as clogged gutters, a failing roof, or leaky windows. Tuckpointing experts may recommend that certain kinds of drainage issues be addressed before starting repair and restoration work on a brick façade.
A written tuckpointing proposal should include the following:
• Scope of work – a detailed description of the existing conditions and work to be performed. This may include specifying which exterior walls is to be completed [e.g. north, south, alley side]; issues to be addressed and rectified; composition of the work crew; plan for erecting scaffolding; description of the techniques and materials to be used in the tuckpointing; and outline of site-work expectations
• Project cost
• Timeline, start, and completion dates
• Required permits
• Warranty
• Change orders
PERMITS
The permitting process in Washington, DC, and surrounding areas can be challenging. If your home is in a historic district, the requirements are rigorous. The process usually takes 2-4 weeks and may involve gaining approval from multiple agencies.
In certain circumstances, additional permissions may be required. These include but are not limited to:
• Public space permit for work performed adjacent to a public sidewalk or alley
• Neighbor permission forms from owners of immediately adjacent properties
• Special scaffolding permit if scaffolding is visible from the street
WHEN HOME SWEET HOME BECOMES A JOB SITE
Tuckpointing work is messy. Dust is inevitable, and the grinders used to remove failing mortar can be noisy. The best masonry contractors will make sure to complete the following tasks through project duration:
• Walls carefully washed by hand [with low pressure, not power-washed] before, during, and after mortar installation
• Daily site cleanup
• Placing all debris in heavy-duty/contractor bags and removed from the site on a regular basis
PROJECT COMPLETION
When your tuckpointing project is completed, your historic brick home should look refreshed. That includes restoring its curb appeal. Look for a final cleanup that includes window washing – yours and the neighbors – washing the exterior walls, and repairing your landscaping. Your final walk-through should reinforce your investment in maintaining the structural integrity and historic authenticity of your home.
Tuckpointing done the traditional way restores the classic beauty of brick and mortar and lasts for many years. It’s what preserves the allure of the classic brick homes in DC’s historic neighborhoods.