Renaissance Development Blog

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 ...

Smart Upgrades When Selling Your Historic Brick Home in DC

When making the momentous decision to sell a historic house, homeowners start to wonder what upgrades, if any, they should invest in before putting the house on the market to maximize the selling price. This is a valid concern since buyers will seek out the house’s history, but they will also want ...

Choosing the Right Wooden Fencing for a Historic Home and Property

Your historic home is more than a significant financial investment; it's your haven from the outside world and a vital part of The District's rich architectural history. When it's time to replace a wooden fence or invest in a new one, the selection process involves a bit more than just picking a ...

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Does Ironwork Increase a Historic Brick Home's Value?

Historic ironwork can be a breathtaking feature of any home, especially in a city as rich in history and architectural treasures as Washington, D.C. Known for its durability and intricate designs, ironwork enhances the aesthetic appeal and curb appeal of historic homes and can significantly impact ...

Embrace Summer Outdoor Living in Your Own Backyard

There's something about summer in and around the nation's capital. As the days grow longer and the mercury climbs, there's no better time to transform your backyard into a personal retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city. Whether you're dreaming of lazy weekend afternoons on a beautiful ...

Retaining Walls: The Unsung Heroes of Historic D.C. Properties

As the homeowner of an old property in or around the nation’s capital, you are also the caretaker of a piece of residential history. As the summer sun starts shining a bit more brightly on Washington, D.C., now is the perfect opportunity to turn your attention to an often overlooked but essential ...

Preparing Your Historic Home for Memorial Day: Hanging a Flag on Brick

With Memorial Day approaching and the 4th of July not far behind, now is the perfect time to put your patriotic spirit on display by flying the American flag on your property. For owners of historic homes in Washington D.C., this gesture carries even more significance. The flag connects the rich ...

Spring into Action: Boost the Curb Appeal of Your Historic D.C. Home

Springtime in DC is a beautiful sight; it's a spectacle of renewal as cherry blossoms bloom and the entire city seems to shake off the chill of winter. The spring season is also a prime opportunity for the owners of historic homes in the area to enhance the visual harmony of their property. In a ...

Spring Essentials: Exterior Renovations for Your Historic Brick Home

As spring unfolds with the promise of renewal, it's the ideal time for homeowners everywhere to assess their property's exteriors. However, a meticulous spring home inspection is downright crucial for owners of historic brick homes in DC. For an old brick house, it’s not just about preserving ...

A Gentle Approach to Spring Cleaning: Don't Power-Wash Your Brick Home

As the days get longer and the last remnants of winter weather recede, the external facades of homes across the region begin to reveal the toll taken by the harsh winter elements. If you're the owner of a historic brick home in Washington, DC, a testament to our rich architectural heritage, you're ...

Urban Gardens: Creating an Oasis on Your Historic DC Property

The tender, green shoots of spring are emerging, and with them come dreams of a serene garden space in the urban landscape of Washington, DC. For owners of historic homes in the District, the challenges of space limitations and municipal codes can make the process quite daunting. Learn how you can ...

Enhance Your Home's Historic Charm with Custom Fencing Solutions

As the days grow longer and the promise of warm weather beckons, the importance of privacy and security in outdoor living spaces becomes increasingly apparent. Whether you're looking forward to quiet mornings in the garden, sunny afternoons lounging on the patio, or evening gatherings under the ...

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Entertain in Style This Summer by Upgrading Your Brick Hardscaping

If you own a historic brick home, expanding your living space into the outdoors can add charm and curb appeal to your property. More importantly, it can provide a personal oasis and a wonderful gathering place for friends and family. Long-lasting and cost-efficient, the addition of brick patios, ...

Important Upgrades to Consider When Selling A Historic Brick Home

When you’re selling your historic brick home, you’re selling the decades-long story that comes with the property. Buyers of these properties are looking for the original character and charm along with the rich history of the house. However, that doesn’t mean they aren’t looking for some modern ...

Preparing for Spring Runoff – Does Your Historic Home Make the Grade?

Owners of historic brick homes are often reminded to pay close attention to their exterior brick walls. Routine inspections and tuckpointing help ensure water doesn’t find its way into small cracks and gaps, which can lead to significant damage over time. But water on the above-ground bricks isn’t ...

What You Need to Know About Repairing Historic Retaining Walls in D.C.

In many of D.C.’s historic districts, retaining walls help control soil erosion and runoff, providing safe transitions between ground levels. They provide beauty and charm, but they can quickly become a hazard without proper maintenance and repair. Different strategies are required depending on the ...

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What You Need to Know About Tuckpointing for Your Historic Brick Home

Historic brick-and-mortar homes are long-lasting, with a solid ability to withstand the elements, and generally have low maintenance requirements. However, low maintenance certainly doesn’t mean no maintenance. As the decades pass, your mortar joints will inevitably begin to fail to some degree, ...

Adverse Effects of Winter Weather on a Historic Brick Home in DC

Historic brick homes provide a welcome feeling of warmth and charm against winter’s chilly backdrop - but they are not immune to the cold, freezing rain, ice and snow. In fact, historic brick homes need a bit more attention than some other buildings in order to deal with D.C.’s long winters and ...

The Importance of Tuckpointing to Your Home’s Structural Integrity

As the owner of a historic brick home, you know the inherent charm of the house is the result of the craftsmanship that went into building it. With proper maintenance, these homes were designed to stand the test of time, although many homeowners don’t know that maintaining the brick isn’t only ...

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Protect Your Home from the Ground Up: Preventing Basement Water Damage

When it comes to historic brick homes, inspecting and maintaining the mortar joints to keep water out is important. This is much easier on the visible exterior than it is for basements. However, it is critical to keep an eye out for damage. The below-grade bricks are subject to environmental ...

Protect Your Historic Property with Wooden Fencing and Iron Work Gates

A fence or gate is one of the most important investments you can make for your property’s safety and privacy. Wood and iron work both mingle well aesthetically with the traditional façades of historic brick homes. These materials are available in a broad range of styles, maintaining the ...

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Finding Balance in 2024: Here's to Restoring Your Historic Brick Home

With the new year upon us, it’s a good time to find some balance in our daily lives. One place where you should always feel comfortable and cozy is in your home. As an owner of a historic brick house, taking care of your home is an extension of taking care of yourself, so making a resolution to ...

Bring Out the Beauty of Historic Brick with Your Holiday Decor

As the holiday season approaches, your historic home provides a unique canvas for festive decorations. The timeless beauty of exposed brick walls offers an exceptional backdrop for holiday cheer. Before affixing anything to your interior brick walls, care should be taken to ensure the condition of ...

Winter Care for Historic Homes in DC: Inspecting Interior Brick Walls

When harsh weather conditions impede outdoor activities in the colder months, homeowners often turn to tasks like painting and other cosmetic repairs. However, owners of historic brick homes might want to consider this time of year to be the perfect opportunity to turn their attention to the ...

Decorating Your Historic Brick Home for the Holidays

Perhaps one of the most enjoyable things about owning a Victorian-era historic brick home is decorating your house for the holidays. Known for its classic style, Victorian decorating was always sophisticated and elegant, providing curb appeal during the harsh winter weather. You can create some ...

Prepare For Winter in DC: Preserve the Property of Your Historic Home

As the crisp autumn air settles in, it's essential to prepare your backyard and urban garden for the bitter cold of the approaching winter. This vital task not only protects your outdoor oasis throughout the season but also helps to ensure the overall integrity of your historic home. With these ...

Clean Your Gutters: Protect Your Historic Brick Home From Water Damage

As the last few leaves prepare to float to the ground and the air becomes crisp, you know it’s the time of transition between fall and winter. Though we find ourselves already in November, there’s still time to sneak in those last-minute tasks that help keep your house in top condition before ...

The Importance of Chimney Cleaning and Repair For Your Old Brick Home

Brick chimneys are one of the most iconic features of historic brick homes and are a testament to the technical craftsmanship of the past. Beneath a chimney’s simple outward appearance is a complex construction designed to ensure proper performance and venting. These chimneys require care and ...