Brick and mortar as building materials have been around for centuries. Mortar is a mixture of sand, cement, and water and is the binding agent that keeps brickwork together. Brick and mortar as..
Read MoreShould I Buy the House With a Bulging Brick Wall?
Ever since you saw that gorgeous old two-story brick home, you’ve been anxious to buy it. It’s a charming historic Washington DC row house in a beautiful, walkable neighborhood. But now you've..
Read MoreDoes Tuckpointing Make a Mess?
Tuckpointing is an essential remedy for deteriorated, broken, or missing mortar. It’s a big job but only needs to be done every 25 - 50 years or so if done correctly. If the time has come for your..
Read MoreRemodel, Renovate, Restore | What's the Difference?
Even contractors sometimes use the terms remodel, renovate, and restore interchangeably, though these terms have entirely different meanings. When working on a home in a historic district, it’s vital..
Read MoreRepairing and Replacing Exterior Window Sills on Historic Brick Homes
Every owner of an old brick home knows that exterior window sills will show age and weathering, both of which significantly impact a building’s good looks over time. Even more critical than..
Read MoreWe Are Here for You ... In Person Again
The following information was recently sent to Renaissance customers. We want everyone in the DC service area to know that we are open and continuing to provide tuckpointing and exterior masonry..
Why a Professional Should Remove Paint from Old Brick Facades
Painting over brick has been popular for generations, either to cover old, tired-looking surfaces or to satisfy a particular color preference. If, however, your home’s painted brick - interior or..
Read MoreWe Are Still Here for You!
The following information was recently sent to Renaissance customers. We want everyone in the DC service area to know that we are open and continuing to provide tuckpointing and exterior masonry..
What Causes Bulging in Brick Walls?
As winter turns to spring and warmer temperatures draw us outdoors, you may spot a bulge in your exterior brick walls. This is masonry issue that are not uncommon among old brick buildings in..
Read MoreRemoving Stucco to Expose Original Brick
Many people purchase or inherit older homes that have layers of stucco covering an older brick and mortar exterior. For those who desire to remove the stucco to reveal the brick and mortar..
Read MoreHistoric Buildings
Don’t Take Care of Themselves
Maintaining centuries-old structures requires traditional methods and materials … and that means you may not know the right way to handle upkeep of your historic building’s masonry. There’s so much more to tuckpointing than replacing mortar.
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