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 ice formations may look magical, […]

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 you may see on your bricks […]

Replacing the windows of a historic brick home in Washington, D.C. is about more than energy efficiency. It is also about aesthetics, maintaining character and staying in compliance with local historic preservation guidelines. Before jumping into your window replacement project, it’s important to consider a few key factors that will help you make the right […]

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 prevent damage to the […]

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 serve a more critical function. […]

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 preserve them. Preservation […]

If you live in the Washington, D.C. area, you are surrounded by a long and storied history. You may even live in a home with a story to tell. In fact, you may live in a house with a history that is well worth preserving. While all homes are important and cherished by their owners, […]

Historic brick homes often have fascinating stories to tell, and the houses in the older neighborhoods of the Washington D.C. area are certainly among them. Exploring your home’s past can be a great way to spend the long winter months indoors, and can enable you to gain significant knowledge about your house’s previous owners, its […]

When winter weather forces a pause on outdoor projects, it’s an ideal time for owners of historic brick homes in D.C. to shift their focus indoors. Interior brick walls, especially in older homes, often require attention to maintain their visual appeal and structural soundness. While significant problems may be easy to identify, it is equally […]

Owners of historic brick homes are often drawn to the house’s timeless elegance. But sometimes that charm comes with a few concerns, like cracked mortar, drafty windows, layout constraints and worn cosmetic features. Renovating these homes is extremely rewarding, but there is a delicate balance between modern convenience and historic integrity. Understanding how to preserve […]