Historic properties often present specific challenges that standard repair work doesn't need to account for. Older brick, particularly brick made before more modern manufacturing standards, can be softer and more porous than contemporary brick, meaning it requires a different mortar mix and a gentler repair approach to avoid causing further damage.

Using modern, harder mortar on historic soft brick is one of the more common and damaging mistakes we see from repairs done without this specific knowledge, since the harder mortar forces stress onto the brick itself rather than absorbing it the way the original softer mortar was designed to.

Significant deterioration on older buildings often requires more extensive restoration work than a typical repair project, including rebuilding sections of facade, restoring decorative brick or stone details that have been damaged or lost over time, and matching historic material and technique closely enough that the restoration work is difficult to distinguish from the original construction.

What restoration involves, compared to standard repair, is a more research-intensive and deliberate process. We assess the building's original construction methods and materials before beginning work, source or match brick and stone appropriately for the building's era and style, and use mortar formulations suited to the specific materials involved rather than a standard modern mix.

This kind of work often applies to homes and buildings in St. Louis' historic districts, where preserving architectural character isn't just a personal preference but sometimes a requirement tied to historic designation. We're familiar with the standards this kind of work needs to meet and approach every restoration project with the care those standards demand.

Restoration work takes longer and requires more specialized knowledge than standard repair, and pricing reflects that. But for a property where the original character genuinely matters, whether for personal, historic, or resale reasons, restoration done properly protects that character in a way that standard repair work isn't designed to do.

If you own an older or historic property in need of masonry restoration, contact us to discuss your building and what proper restoration would involve.