Brooklyn’s brownstones are very iconic to the city’s urban landscape and to its architectural identity. Owning a brownstone is very special for its timeless beauty and timeless charm but it also comes with a great responsibility which is to preserve its historic charm and craftsmanship carefully.
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Brownstone Restoration Needs
As brownstone becomes more exposed to pollutants, extreme weathering, and overall general wear and tear, brownstones will eventually need restoration and repair work. Some of these specific works may include brownstone facade restoration, stoop restoration, cornice repair and cornice full restoration, masonry work, and ironworks such as painting window grills, fences, and stoop railing. Dream Construction NYC offers detailed and high quality facade restoration services, and stoop restoration services including cleaning, repointing, and repairing damaged brownstone elements. Dream Construction’s close attention to detail, preservation, and commitment to quality craftsmanship and masonry will ultimately result in refreshing your brownstone with original historic charm.
Brownstone Facade Restoration Process
The brownstone facade restoration process is complex and usually involves carefully chipping off the top layer of the existing brownstone, then applying the new scratch coat, and reapplying the brownstone layers. The entire process depending on the scope of the project may take 7 to 10 months, and the result is a brand new facade that maintains the building’s original historical character and charm.
Stoop Restoration
Another important part of brownstone maintenance is the stoop restoration. The process for a complete stoop restoration is the same approach as the facade restoration, but it is a shorter process and typically takes around 2 to 4 months. Brownstone stoop restoration cost is pricey due to complete overhaul of the previous brownstone layers, and adding new layers and redoing the entire stoops. If only small areas needs to targets, brownstone stoop repair is suggested as the brownstone stoop repair cost is more affordable and budget friendly to fix your stoops and have a complete seamless surface.
Ironwork
The intricate brownstone ironwork in the gates, stoops, and window grills beautifully adds to the brownstone aesthetic and needs regular maintenance as well. Just having the brownstone ironworks maintained keeps your brownstone looking refreshed and done.The stoop railing, fences, and entry gates require regular painting and additional maintenance. The entire work to refresh the ironwork involves carefully scraping off the old paint, sanding the surface, applying a protective primer, and finishing with two coats of fresh paint.
Cleaning Tips
To maintain a consistently clean and nice appearance of your brownstone, regular cleaning is also very essential. Power washing is generally recommended, though hand washing is always best for damaged or weak brownstone that needs more care. For stubborn stains, acidic solutions can be used to remove the stains using highly diluted muriatic acid solution.
Repair vs. Restoration
It is very important to know if your brownstone requires targeted repair vs a full restoration as the price and the scope of the project varies greatly. Brownstone facade repair or stoop repairs are a targeted approach to focus solely on damaged areas which often means brownstone facade repair cost and brownstone stoop repair cost falls at an affordable price point in comparison as well as short turnaround for the project, whereas full restoration involves redoing the entire facade or stoop for a truly brand new look which means a more expensive and a bigger project.
If you are seriously considering any brownstone projects, whether it be full brownstone restoration projects or just simple repair work, it is very important to reach out to experienced professionals who fully understand every step of the brownstone restoration project and also professionals who can communicate with you every step of the project to align with your needs. Reach out to Dream GC to get a free quote, to find out your brownstone facade repair cost and or brownstone stoop restoration cost or any other projects you have in mind. Dream Construction NYC is a trusted and leading partner with decades of experience who can consistently provide you with invaluable, quality services for your beautiful brownstone.