Renaissance Development Blog

The stately historic brick homes in most DC neighborhoods were constructed with relatively soft, porous bricks and limestone mortar. Many of the interiors were covered with lime plaster...

Do you have ivy growing on the walls of your brick home? It can certainly look beautiful, particularly during the warm months when the ivy blooms. It adds a thick green texture to the wall and..

Owners of old brick houses in Washington DC’s historic neighborhoods might notice a crumbling or flaking of the surface of their brickwork. This form of deterioration, known as spalling, usually..

 “Windows are the eyes of a house.” As the most visible elements of old homes, windows define the character and curb appeal of the buildings. Moreover, they offer clues to the history and..

Like most owners of old houses, your renovation plans probably include matching as many of the authentic building parts – doors, flooring, fixtures, and millwork – as possible. It is possible to..

When I see an old brick house with crumbling or flaking of the surface of the brick wall, I recognize a type of damage known as spalling brick. If the brick wall is part of the main structure of..

If your historic home has a brick chimney, fall is a good time to have it inspected. The exposed mortar in many Washington DC old brick chimneys is particularly vulnerable to weather damage...

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..

So many of the historic brick homes in the Washington DC area display a beautiful exposed brick wall. Some are in need of repair, but in many cases, these old interior brick walls are in good..

If you are the owner of a brick home, you may be tempted to choose “spot tuckpointing" when you see signs of damage on an otherwise solid wall. Homeowners and contractors alike consider it be an..