Renaissance Development Blog

Reading Brick: How to Spot Early Warning Signs of Mortar Deterioration

To own a historic brick home in Washington, D.C., is to be the caretaker of a living piece of history. Unlike modern structures, these 19th-century homes were built to breathe, using softer, more forgiving materials that interact with the elements. That's why paying close attention to your exterior ...

Why Regular Maintenance on a Historic Brick Home Should be Top-of-Mind

Owning a historic brick home in Washington, D.C., comes with its own set of responsibilities. These properties reflect the character and charm of the city, but they also require attentive care. When small issues are left unaddressed, they can escalate into major and costly repairs. Regular ...

Breathing Walls: Why Historic Brick Needs Proper Porosity to Survive

Historic homes in Washington, D.C., have their own unique rhythm and a distinct set of maintenance requirements. One of the most misunderstood principles is how brick walls manage moisture. Unlike newer builds, older homes rely on breathable materials to stay dry and structurally sound. That means ...

The Art of Neighboring Well: Minimizing Disruption During Restoration

Historic masonry work often comes with noise, dust, and disruption; it's just part of the process. But preserving a historic brick home doesn't mean creating chaos in the neighborhood. At Renaissance Development, we believe how we work is just as important as the final result, so we've developed a ...

Guide to Properly Hanging a Flag on a Historic Brick Home

With Memorial Day around the corner, then Flag Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day not far behind, many D.C. homeowners are getting ready to hang flags outside their homes. A flag adds charm and meaning to your property, especially in historic neighborhoods. But if your home is made of historic ...

Spring Inspiration: Planting a Garden in Front of a Historic D.C. Home

Springtime in Washington, D.C., brings a fresh energy to the city, and it's the perfect season to breathe new life into the space right in front of your historic home. Even with limited square footage, a small front garden can completely change the first impression of your property. In ...

Make the Necessary Repairs This Spring to Keep Brick Walkways Safe

Washington, D.C., is one of the most walkable cities in the country, especially in neighborhoods filled with historic homes and charming brick paths. As a proud homeowner, you always want your paths and brick walkways to be in good condition so they look as beautiful as the rest of the ...

Restoring the Interior: Architectural Details of Historic D.C. Homes

Washington, D.C.'s historic brick homes are prized for their exterior charm, but their interiors often hold just as much character. These homes tell a story through their architecture, from ornate moldings to original plaster walls. If you're planning interior renovations, focusing on the home's ...

Considering an Urban Garden This Spring? Why Hardscaping Matters

Spring in Washington D.C. brings the perfect chance to rework your historic property's garden spaces. While selecting appropriate plantings matters, the hardscaping elements deserve equal consideration when creating a garden that honors your home's architectural heritage.

Assessing Winter Damage to Your Historic Brick Home

Another tough winter is finally coming to an end, and now is the perfect time to assess how well your historic brick home has weathered the season. Snow, ice, and fluctuating temperatures can take a toll on old brick and mortar, leading to hidden damage that may worsen if left unaddressed. When you ...

Fire Safety for Your Historic Brick Home in Washington, D.C.

Historic brick homes in Washington, D.C. hold a special place in the city's rich heritage. When you stroll through neighborhoods lined with elegant brick facades, you feel the assurance of sturdy construction and timeless charm. Yet, while brick is naturally fire-resistant, most historic houses ...

The Definitive Guide for Prospective Buyers of Historic Homes in D.C.

Buying a historic home in Washington, D.C., means owning a piece of the nation's history, a home with stories etched into its very bricks. It's an incredible opportunity, but it's also a unique task to take on and requires a different approach than you'd take to purchasing a newly built home.

What Dangers Hide Behind the Beauty of Hanging Icicles?

A fresh snowfall in Washington, D.C., can turn your historic brick home into a winter wonderland. The sight of icicles glistening from the eaves may feel like a picture-perfect moment. That said, many homeowners don't realize that those icicles could be a sign of a hidden danger: ice dams. These ...

How Tuckpointing Can Help Keep Your Basement Dry All Winter Long

Your historic brick home’s damp basement is not something you should have to live with. If you have damp, wet conditions in your basement, musty odors, mold or mildew, these are all red flags that your brickwork needs some maintenance. A less obvious sign is efflorescence—the white, powdery haze ...

The Best Ways to Keep Brick Steps and Walkways Ice-Free This Winter

When winter in Washington, D.C., brings a mix of snow, ice, and slush, homeowners of historic brick houses are responsible for clearing the sidewalk in front of their homes as well as their property’s walkways and steps. Since most of these surfaces are masonry or brick, special care is needed to ...

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Function and Flair: Why Are There Stars on Historic D.C. Homes?

Have you been seeing stars in your Washington, D.C. neighborhood? If you’ve noticed metal stars set against the beautiful brick facades of the area’s historic homes, you have a good eye for detail. While they may look like small pieces of art and offer an interesting exterior surprise, these stars ...

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Approaching the Front Door of a Historic Brick Home in D.C.

There is something special about coming home when the first thing you see as you make your way towards the house is one of the historic doors that grace the home fronts of Washington, D.C. They are a distinct feature of the building’s heritage, character, and craftsmanship, and it is essential to ...

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Maintaining Fireplace Safety During the Holidays in a Historic Home

Few things are cozier when the holidays are here than sitting around a toasty warm fireplace. This is especially true in historic brick homes, whose architecture and charm make them the perfect place to gather with family and friends, especially when paired with a well-decorated mantel. However, ...

Decorate Your Historic Brick Home with a Vintage Holiday Look

With the holidays upon us, your historic brick home is the perfect place to bring back the nostalgic charm of seasonal decorating. With its timeless character, your home is an ideal backdrop for the type of holiday décor that lends itself to a beautiful traditional look. It sets the perfect stage ...

Happy Thanksgiving from Renaissance Development

As Thanksgiving approaches, we want to take a moment to thank our clients for the opportunities to maintain the beauty and integrity of historic brick homes in Washington, D.C. and the surrounding areas. The trust you place in us inspires our team to ensure that every tuckpointing project will be ...

Prepare Your Historic Brick Home, Inside and Out, for the D.C. Winter

Washington, D.C.’s rainy, snowy, and windy winters can take a toll on your home and outdoor spaces. Preparing your historic brick home for the colder months means making sure your outdoor furniture, walkways, and exteriors are ready to face whatever winter throws your way. Completing these tasks ...

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Getting Your Historic Brick Home Ready for Holiday Visitors

As the holiday season approaches, homeowners usually busy themselves making sure their interior spaces are ready for guests. But the holidays are also the perfect time to make sure your home has great curb appeal and is ready to greet friends and family. To get a feel for how your house looks to ...

Enhancing Privacy, Security, and Style with Wooden or Ironwork Fencing

When it comes to increasing your historic brick home’s privacy, security, and curb appeal, fences and gates are among the top choices. Wooden fences provide a natural but refined look that complements any home style, while iron gates and decorative ironwork provide a timeless sense of elegance.

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Don’t Forget to Clean Your Rain Gutters Before Winter Sets In

As winter approaches, many historic brick homeowners attend to the typical seasonal chores like raking leaves, mulching gardens, and getting the winter shovels ready for the first snowfall. However, a commonly overlooked task is cleaning the rain gutters. Ignoring your gutters, especially if you ...

Should You Paint Your Historic Brick Home?

Sometimes, homeowners want to alter the appearance of their home with paint, but the timeless beauty of a historic brick home often makes it difficult to decide what to do. While a fresh coat of paint can add charm and individuality to your house, it is not without its challenges, especially for ...

Early Fall is the Perfect Time for a Chimney Inspection

Brick chimneys are beloved features in historic homes, representing the dedication to quality and craftsmanship of bygone eras. But before cozying up to the fire, it is critical to ensure the chimney can perform its job safely. As winter approaches, ensuring that your chimney is in prime condition ...

Decorative and Functional Structures: The Dual Role of Retaining Walls

When it comes to retaining walls, homeowners often picture a decorative feature that adds curb appeal to their historic brick homes. While retaining walls do contribute to a property's overall aesthetic, their primary purpose is usually structural. They play a crucial role in supporting the earth ...

From the Bottom Up: Keep Your Basement Dry This Fall and Winter

Historic brick homeowners sometimes mistakenly believe their basements are destined to be somewhat wet. They are often willing to overlook chronic dampness since the alternative -- water running down the walls and puddles on the floor -- is a much worse scenario. However, your historic home’s ...

Patio Safety Tips for Historic Brick Homes During Stormy Weather in DC

The Washington, D.C. area is known for fluctuating temperatures, and summertime is no exception. With its sweltering heat and high humidity, the conditions can become perfect for severe electrical storms. While owners of historic brick homes frequently take steps to protect their interior spaces, ...

Why You Should Repair the Historic Windows in Your Old Brick Home

Opening a window and letting in some fresh air is a wonderful change as the summer nights cool down. But sometimes, with historic windows, it can be a bit of a challenge. They can get stuck, or not fully open. Over time, the wood and glass may look past their prime. There may also be drafts around ...