Historic Masonry Restoration & Preservation

We collaborate directly with SHPOs, preservation consultants, and architects throughout the project, providing documentation, mock-ups, and test panels as required. About half of our work is historic preservation, so these working relationships are well established.

It depends on the material and the building. Some modern products perform well and are appropriate, while others can cause damage to historic masonry. We select repair materials based on compatibility with the original construction, not simply what is newest on the market.

Timelines depend on the building's size, condition, and the scope of work. Our active field season runs from mid-February through the end of November, and larger historic projects are often phased across multiple seasons to align with budgets and preservation review timelines.

Structural integrity and historic character are not mutually exclusive. We use repair methods and materials that meet structural requirements while respecting the building's original fabric, ensuring the work satisfies both engineering standards and preservation guidelines.

These are among the most common building types we restore. Churches and government buildings make up a large share of our historic preservation work, with courthouses typically our largest projects by dollar value.

Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Illinois each offer state-level historic preservation tax credits, and many communities have local grant programs for historic buildings. Federal historic tax credits are also available for income-producing properties. We can help you understand what documentation your project will need.

We repair, replicate, and restore ornamental terra cotta, carved stone, corbelled brickwork, and other decorative elements using techniques and materials appropriate to the building's period. Where original elements are too deteriorated to save, we fabricate accurate replacements.

Yes. We have extensive experience restoring National Register-listed buildings including churches, courthouses, and civic landmarks. We understand the review processes and documentation requirements these projects demand.

Every project receives a closeout package with photography, warranty, and product data sheets. On historic projects, we provide additional documentation as needed to support tax credit applications, grant requirements, and State Historic Preservation Office reviews.

In many cases, yes. Federal and state historic tax credit programs can offset a significant portion of qualified rehabilitation costs on eligible buildings. We provide the project documentation these programs require, though building owners should consult a tax professional for eligibility specifics.

We analyze the existing mortar composition, color, texture, and joint profile, then develop custom mortar mixes to match. For brick, we source salvage material or work with suppliers who produce historically accurate replacements to maintain the building's original character.

Yes. Our historic restoration work follows the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. Roughly half of our total project volume is historic preservation, so these standards guide our daily work, not just occasional projects.