Foundation drainage is a complex topic of high importance, to avoid wet basements and foundations. We could probably dedicate an entire book to just this topic because there are many facets and different details to proper Foundation drainage, grading, what are diversion, and waterproofing. All of these things sound separate and different, but they’re all really part of the same sub topic of proper Foundation drainage and waterproofing. In recent past blogs, we talked about and looked at particular photographs of a nearby concrete foundation for a new construction building on an old existing lot. The particular construction is very interesting because we can learn a lot from looking at these details even as the new construction is very different than historic construction, there are similar principles. Most historic buildings in Washington DC are built with brick masonry Foundation walls and the footings are also built with brick masonry but set generally in a corbel. Some of the foundation walls here in Washington DC are actually also alternatively built with a stone foundation. Many of those down foundations predate the majority of the buildings in the city. Foundation drainage is an associate yet critically interrelated aspect of concrete foundations and below-grade basements, especially when those basements are intended to be finished living spaces. The primary objective of this drainage system is to divert water away from the foundation, preventing moisture intrusion which maintains the integrity of the footing / supporting subgrade earth while keeping the interior dry. The corrugated metal, which creates the sidewalls of the well, has an interesting set of structural resistance or structural engineering properties. The bends in corrugated materials enhance their structural resistance primarily through increased moment of inertia and the creation of multiple strength axes. Moment of inertia is a measure of an object’s resistance to bending; it increases when more material is positioned further from the neutral axis, which is the centerline of the material where bending stress is zero. In corrugated materials, the ridges and grooves move material away from this axis, making the structure stiffer and more resistant to bending. Additionally, the corrugations create multiple axes of strength by forming ridges that run perpendicular to the main plane, providing additional paths for load distribution and making deformation more difficult. The three-dimensional structure resulting from the corrugation pattern offers out-of-plane support, enhancing stability and resistance to vertical forces. Furthermore, the alternating peaks and valleys create counterposed strength axes, allowing the material to effectively handle complex loads and stresses in various directions. This combination of factors makes corrugated materials significantly stronger and more durable compared to flat sheets. At the heart of the overall drainage system relies on a dimple board, an impermeable high-density polyethylene sheet characterized by its raised dimples. This waterproofing membrane is applied directly to the exterior of the foundation walls, creating an interconnected barrier against water and water vapor. There are multiple different positions under configurations of both dimple board, against foundations and integrated with filter fabric which can work to facilitate an expedite the flow of water against the foundation but allow for it to be diverted away. The dimples, facing inward towards the foundation, form a channel that guides water downward, towards a collection pipe at the base of the foundation. This design not only prevents direct contact between water and the concrete but also establishes an air gap that facilitates the smooth flow of water towards the foundation’s base. We can HelpOur company focuses on historic restoration more than modern building upkeep, maintenance, and construction, but our company understands both types of construction very well and a full picture well-rounded approach is needed in any niche in the construction industry. Although we focus on historic restoration, repointing, tuckpointing and historic brick repair, our company also has technical knowledge and competencies in the areas of modern and contemporary construction as well as we become one of the leaders in that area of the market today. Understanding both historic and modern or contemporary construction is useful because both aspects help understand the challenges and potential solutions for challenges in building science and construction. We can help with a variety of historic masonry restoration needs and upkeep, from modest tuckpointing and or repointing to complicated and extensive historic masonry restoration. Infinity Design Solutions is a historic restoration specialist contractor specializing in both historic masonry restoration such as tuckpointing our repointing, and brick repair. If you have questions about the architectural details or facade of your historic building in Washington DC, reach out and say hello and if we can help we’ll be glad to assist you. You can email us or call us on the telephone at the following link: contact us here. <p>The post Foundation Drainage – Part I first appeared on Infinity Design Solutions.</p> Via https://www.ids-dmv.com/blog/foundation-drainage-part-i/
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This past week, we had an opportunity to take a look at a modern type of simple residential concrete foundation for a new home. Although the principles and layout of this particular foundation are relatively simple and straightforward, it’s not something we often get to see right here in Washington DC and this particular building is actually out in the suburbs but it provides a lot of good visual information for us to discuss and for our readers to use to learn about the same principles that apply to buildings here in Washington DC. In last week’s blog, we particularly discussed some of the principles related to building layout on site, site grading, drainage as affected by the site grade, and soil composition and soil mechanics. Today we are looking at some of the structural conditions of the building foundation. The choice of foundation type is influenced by several factors, including soil conditions, structural loads, environmental considerations, and site constraints which can be particularly important here in Washington DC. Shallow foundations, such as spread footings and mat foundations, are suitable for structures with relatively light loads and good soil conditions. Spread footings are individual, isolated foundations that transfer the load from columns or walls to the soil, while mat foundations are continuous, reinforced concrete slabs that distribute the load over a larger area. Deep foundations, for the larger buildings often found in the DC CBD, on the other hand, are designed to transfer loads to deeper, more competent soil strata or bedrock. Piles and caissons are examples of deep foundations, which are suitable for structures with heavy loads or poor soil conditions at shallow depths. Piles are long, slender structural elements that are driven or cast into the ground, while caissons are large-diameter, cast-in-place concrete shafts that extend deep into the soil or bedrock. This particular building was built with a strip footing, similar to a spread footing but without a taper or significant bevel. Concrete is a pretty versatile and highly durable construction material, widely used, today, in foundation construction. Concrete is mixed to combine cement, aggregates such as sand and gravel (just like ice cream with toppings added and mixed throughout), water, and admixtures (if required) in specific proportions to achieve the desired strength, workability, and durability. Concrete subcomponent proportions are specifically designed for the particular use. Often this detail will be engineered prior to construction and then checked on site at the time of the pouring of the concrete to verify the details of the mixed specification have been followed appropriately. The quality of the concrete mix is needed for the long-term performance of the foundation. Factors such as the water-cement ratio, aggregate gradation, and the use of admixtures (e.g., plasticizers, air-entraining agents) can significantly influence the concrete’s properties, including its strength, workability, and resistance to environmental conditions. Concrete placement in itself, has details that effect the quality of foundation construction. Pumping is a common method for placing concrete in congested or hard-to-reach areas, while chuting and bucket placement are suitable for more accessible locations. Pumping is generally a bit wasteful though because the pump itself will need to have a initial slurry run through the machine before can flow and discharge a production level of concrete. The initial concrete will often be over-hydrated to prime the pump and then discarded and disposed of which creates waste. A similar process is repeated at the end when the last of the concrete is flushed from the machine. Proper consolidation of the concrete using mechanical vibrators or other means is needed to create a dense and uniform mixture, free from air pockets or voids. As the price of construction materials have spiked since about the year 2020, wastefulness is avoided more now, throughout the industry, where possible. Curing is the process of controlling the moisture content and temperature of freshly placed concrete to ensure it achieves its desired strength and durability. Proper curing methods, such as moisture curing or the application of curing compounds, are needed to prevent premature drying and cracking of the concrete. In some cases, slabs on grade will be covered with plastic sheeting for the first day or two after the concrete has been placed on site. The plastic tarps may be lifted to spray the concrete with water a few times during the first days of curing to deter overly rapid curing. Often, a variety of tests are performed throughout the concreting process to evaluate the quality and performance of the concrete. Slump tests assess the hydration, workability, and consistency of the concrete mix. Compressive strength tests are later performed on hardened concrete samples (often in the form of cylinders) to ensure the required strength is achieved. Test to help me taken at a specific number of days after the concrete is poured.
Adequate drainage systems are equally important in foundation construction. These systems are designed to divert water away from the foundation and prevent soil erosion or saturation, which can compromise the stability of the structure. Drainage systems may include surface drains, french drains, or subsurface drainage pipes, depending on the site conditions and the overall drainage strategy. Proper maintenance and regular inspections of the waterproofing and drainage systems are crucial to ensure their ongoing effectiveness and to identify and address any potential issues promptly. The picture below shows a series of mudsill anchors along the top of the building foundation. These mudsill anchors, also known as foundation anchors or hold-down anchors, are structural connectors designed to secure the building frame to the foundation. They resist uplift forces and lateral loads, supporting and reinforcing the structural integrity and stability of the building. The primary function of mudsill anchors is to provide a positive connection between the mudsill (the bottom horizontal framing member) and the concrete foundation. This connection is typically made through the use of anchor bolts or straps, shown here, that are embedded in the foundation during construction. The mudsill is then securely fastened to these anchors, creating a continuous load path from the superstructure to the foundation. These particular type of mudsill anchors have a portion that you cannot see in the photograph which is below the level of the top of the concrete and cast and set into that concrete when the concrete is still wet. Uplift forces are a primary structural concern in building design, particularly in areas prone to high winds, seismic activity, or other extreme environmental conditions. These forces can cause the building to lift off its foundation, potentially leading to catastrophic structural failure. Mudsill anchors are designed to resist these uplift forces by mechanically tying the building frame to the foundation, preventing the superstructure from separating from the base. Historic buildings like those here where we are in Washington DC have similar concerns but the uplift concerns generally are mostly related to the roof only. In addition to uplift forces, mudsill anchors also help resist lateral loads, such as those resulting from wind or seismic events. These lateral forces can cause the building to sway or shift horizontally, potentially causing damage to the structural elements or even complete collapse. By anchoring the mudsill to the foundation, the lateral loads are effectively transferred from the superstructure to the foundation, which is designed to withstand these forces. We can HelpOur company focuses on historic restoration more than modern building upkeep, maintenance, and construction, but our company understands both types of construction very well and a full picture well-rounded approach is needed in any niche in the construction industry. Although we focus on historic restoration, repointing, tuckpointing and historic brick repair, our company also has technical knowledge and competencies in the areas of modern and contemporary construction as well as we become one of the leaders in that area of the market today. Understanding both historic and modern or contemporary construction is useful because both aspects help understand the challenges and potential solutions for challenges in building science and construction. We can help with a variety of historic masonry restoration needs and upkeep, from modest tuckpointing and or repointing to complicated and extensive historic masonry restoration. Infinity Design Solutions is a historic restoration specialist contractor specializing in both historic masonry restoration such as tuckpointing our repointing, and brick repair. If you have questions about the architectural details or facade of your historic building in Washington DC, reach out and say hello and if we can help we’ll be glad to assist you. You can email us or call us on the telephone at the following link: contact us here. <p>The post An Exposed Building Foundation – Part II first appeared on Infinity Design Solutions.</p> Via https://www.ids-dmv.com/blog/an-exposed-building-foundation-part-ii/ This past week, we took the very rare chance to get out of the concrete jungle of Washington DC and out into the sleepy and near-endless suburbs beyond. We had the chance to take a close look at a new concrete foundation for a contemporary basic suburban house. This house will be built in a quick and simple kind of way with construction elements and finishes that look appealing to the average prospective home buyer but will actually be almost as basic and cheap as you can get. However, for us, it’s a good opportunity to show our clients and readers some of the fundamental principles of foundation construction. Even though we work in the historic parts of Washington DC, some of the same principles apply between modern foundation construction and historic masonry construction. Although the materials might be different and some of the methodologies have changed significantly, many of the fundamental principles remain the same. The layout of this particular foundation is simple yet includes all the contemporary amenities that we might expect in a new home. There is a two-car garage, a bedroom and bathroom planned for the basement and two means of external egress and one external means of ingress to and from the basement. The site preparation required for the foundation construction process involves a series of tasks aimed at ensuring the site is suitable and stable for the proposed structure. Typical soil testing checks some of the subsoil’s properties and characteristics, including its bearing capacity, compressibility, and potential for settlement or expansion. This data helps in determining the appropriate foundation design and depth. In this particular case, since the basement wall is built with a cast in place concrete, the entirety of that wall is a part of the foundation which allows the foundation to reach a bearing point that is both below the frost line, and in this case below the point of the needed subsoil structural bearing capacity. The design height of the building can make a difference in the required size and thickness of the foundation and foundation stem wall and footing, and also dictate or influence the required depth of excavation. Grading involves shaping and leveling the site to achieve the desired elevation and slope, facilitating proper drainage and minimizing the risk of soil erosion or water accumulation. From one site to the next there are different constraints and binding points, but overall, in most cases, the goal is to provide a positive grade away from the building foundation. In other words, in most cases, the ground and dirt or yard around the building foundation will start out higher at the edge of the building foundation and then go slightly downward from there out to the perimeters of the property. In some cases there may be drastic grades or hills on the property and in some cases retaining walls can be added to reduce and excessive slope away from the foundation but it’s almost always better to have grade away from the foundation instead of grade towards the foundation. Compaction, on the other hand, is the process of increasing the density of the soil by mechanical means, such as rollers or vibratory compactors. Proper compaction enhances the soil’s load-bearing capacity and reduces the potential for differential settlement, which can compromise the structural integrity of the foundation. Back home here in Washington DC, by comparison, we have much more confined and limited spaces without large open areas on most sites. We also have a higher degree of constraints to work around in terms of grade. In the past century, somewhere around the middle of the century, around the halfway point of the life, to-date, for many of the historic buildings here in Washington dc, additions were added to buildings and row homes throughout the city. Many of these additions were the enclosure of the rear sleeping porches to turn those sleeping porches into interior building space. In many cases, we find that the structural capacity of the soil at the footings for those additions is entirely inadequate. We also commonly find that the areas with slabs built on grade are very poorly compacted. Poor compaction under footings and slabs is definitely a problem, but it’s almost not as bad of a problem as when many contractors around the middle of the 20th century built wood framed decks below grade but without sufficient space to separate the joist from the dirt below. We’ve seen this condition in many different buildings and it’s extremely problematic because in most cases the joists are rotten and or destroyed by being eaten by termites. Understanding and working with the principles of soil compaction, slabs can be built directly on grade, in some cases with a downturn footing or a separate footing or stem wall, but when built properly, they can adequately support multi-level parts of the building above. Soil mechanics, a branch of analysis that focuses on the study of soil behavior and its interaction with structures, helps with the foundation design, as it provides insights into the soil’s ability to support the loads imposed by the structure. The bearing capacity of the determines the type and dimensions of the foundation required. Different types of soil exhibit varying properties that influence their bearing capacity. For instance, cohesive soils, such as clays, derive their strength from the cohesive forces between soil particles, while the strength of granular soils, like sands and gravels, is primarily derived from internal friction and interlocking of particles. Factors such as soil density, moisture content, and the presence of groundwater also play a significant role in determining the soil’s bearing capacity. The best combination is generally a balance because soils that are either to high in clay or too high in soil are problematic. Soils that are overly high in clay can shift with changes in ground moisture and soils that are overly high in sand lack some of the characteristics of this long-term stability. In this coming week, we’ll look at some of the other details of the construction of this building foundation. We can HelpOur company focuses on historic restoration more than modern building upkeep, maintenance, and construction, but our company understands both types of construction very well and a full picture well-rounded approach is needed in any niche in the construction industry. Although we focus on historic restoration, repointing, tuckpointing and historic brick repair, our company also has technical knowledge and competencies in the areas of modern and contemporary construction as well as we become one of the leaders in that area of the market today. Understanding both historic and modern or contemporary construction is useful because both aspects help understand the challenges and potential solutions for challenges in building science and construction. We can help with a variety of historic masonry restoration needs and upkeep, from modest tuckpointing and or repointing to complicated and extensive historic masonry restoration. Infinity Design Solutions is a historic restoration specialist contractor specializing in both historic masonry restoration such as tuckpointing our repointing, and brick repair. If you have questions about the architectural details or facade of your historic building in Washington DC, reach out and say hello and if we can help we’ll be glad to assist you. You can email us or call us on the telephone at the following link: contact us here. <p>The post An Exposed Building Foundation – Part I first appeared on Infinity Design Solutions.</p> Via https://www.ids-dmv.com/blog/an-exposed-building-foundation-part-i/ Last week, we looked at part one of the same series on hay doors at some of the elevated levels of historic brick buildings here in Washington DC, often found behind residential row homes and or older industrial buildings. Today, we continue with the same topic looking at more of the photographs of the historic architectural and functional brickwork of these buildings and the hay doors. In some cases, these doors will be referred to as Lucarne doors. Both lucarne doors and hay doors serve the function of facilitating the hoisting of materials into upper levels of buildings, but they have distinct characteristics. Lucarne doors, often found in barns, lofts, or similar structures, are small dormers or openings in the roof or upper walls. Originating from the French term for dormer window, “lucarne,” they can serve purposes beyond material hoisting, including ventilation or access to roof spaces. In contrast, hay doors are specifically designed for agricultural use, particularly in barns or stables, for loading hay into the upper levels. Positioned typically in the exterior wall below the roofline, hay doors feature larger openings to accommodate the movement of heavy hay bales efficiently. While both types of doors may utilize gin wheels or pulley systems for hoisting, gin wheels are more commonly associated with hay doors due to their frequent use in lifting heavy agricultural loads. Now and again here in Washington DC we will see examples of historic hay doors, generally set right in the middle of a historic masonry facade. If you go for walks around the neighborhood and meander through some of the old alleys, you’ll probably see a handful of ADU buildings or old garages. ADU’s are accessory dwelling units which are residential units on the same lot as a primary dwelling. Often, we will see these ADU’s as detached buildings like old garages but in most cases these older smaller buildings in the backyards of many properties in Washington DC were actually originally carriage houses. It depends on the exact year they were built, but many of them were built way before the wide use of automotive vehicles and or instead used to house, care for, and for the tacking-up of horses. The tacking-up of horses included: putting on the saddle, bridle, girth, and additional accessory equipment. In most cases, these historic buildings were built with historic common brick, the same brick used to build many of our historic homes here in Washington DC. In many cases, those original buildings have deteriorated faster than the residential rowhomes. It’s not that the buildings for dwelling were built much better but they have received better attention and care, in general. There are a few good and interesting but simple reasons why the main houses of a Washington DC property, have received better care and treatment than the original carriage houses or old accessory brick buildings:
If you look at the wider angle picture of the rear facade of this alley building, you can see some interesting details. The garage door opening has been modified and built smaller to close in the opening more, in more recent years. Looking at it here today, we can’t know for sure why they reduced the width of this opening and filled in the section to the left of the door in the picture, but they were likely trying to procure and install a standard-size garage door instead of a custom door to fit the size or dimensions of the existing opening. When purchasing that standard door for a lower price than a custom door, they likely had to build the opening in smaller, to fit the new standardized size. Looking-closer you can also see that the header of the opening still extends to its original length, farther to the left beyond the center than to the right. We can HelpOur company focuses on historic restoration more than modern building upkeep, maintenance, and construction, but our company understands both types of construction very well and a full picture well-rounded approach is needed in any niche in the construction industry. Although we focus on historic restoration, repointing, tuckpointing and historic brick repair, our company also has technical knowledge and competencies in the areas of modern and contemporary construction as well as we become one of the leaders in that area of the market today. Understanding both historic and modern or contemporary construction is useful because both aspects help understand the challenges and potential solutions for challenges in building science and construction. We can help with a variety of historic masonry restoration needs and upkeep, from modest tuckpointing and or repointing to complicated and extensive historic masonry restoration. Infinity Design Solutions is a historic restoration specialist contractor specializing in both historic masonry restoration such as tuckpointing our repointing, and brick repair. If you have questions about the architectural details or facade of your historic building in Washington DC, reach out and say hello and if we can help we’ll be glad to assist you. You can email us or call us on the telephone at the following link: contact us here. <p>The post Hay Doors in Historic Masonry Facades – Part II first appeared on Infinity Design Solutions.</p> Via https://www.ids-dmv.com/masonry/hay-doors-in-historic-masonry-facades-2/ Today, we’re starting a multi-part series on hay doors (and lucarne doors). Hay doors are a historic relic that have survived, in some rare and few cases to modern times. The overall conversation is very interesting and gets into many other related topics such as ADU and accessory buildings, and the accelerated deterioration of accessory buildings even though they are built with similar materials and methods as historic row homes. The conversation also goes into the areas of optimization of property use and zoning related to ADU’s here in Washington DC. An example of an urban alley building with a hay door is shown below. Hay doors and pulleys (also known as gin wheels, in certain cases) allowed for easy lifting of hay bales to the upper levels. People who managed horses, often called grooms or stable hands, could use ropes and pulleys to hoist heavy bales, reducing the physical strain and making the process more efficient. It’s likely that this alley building was originally built as a stable, similar to a barn. In historic times before cars were widely used, people used horses, literally right here in Washington DC. To have a horse here in the city you needed a place to keep that horse and you needed a mezzanine or attic space above to store feed for that horse such as hay and grain and other materials related to upkeep and care of the horse or animals. Hay doors were built in barns and similar buildings, like the one shown here, in historic times primarily for practical reasons related to this storage and animal care. The upper level of these buildings, often referred to as a hayloft, was used to store hay and these other materials. The upper levels provided a large, dry area for storage, keeping these food stores and materials off the ground where they could get wet and spoil. Utilizing vertical space maximized storage capacity in a limited footprint. This is a concept we are constantly dealing with here living in a densely built city like Washington, DC. Whether it’s a house or a garage, we always want more space, and creative ideas like using the upper levels above the main floor of a garage are innovative and effective. Storing hay in the loft space protected it from moisture and pests, which helped preserve its quality for feeding livestock throughout the long and bitter DC winters when growing more locally or replenishing supplies wasn’t always a practical option. Today, these same Loft spaces can be used as granny sweets or home offices, or even home exercise or meditation rooms. Hay stored above could be easily dropped down to the animals in the stalls below, using gravity to move the hay, which made the work a bit more efficient and reduced a bit of strain from the labor. As well, keeping hay separate from the animals reduced the risk of fire spreading. Hay is highly flammable, and storing it above and away from other combustible materials and sources of ignition (like lanterns or machinery) was safer. Even though animals don’t need lighting in their stable space, workers such as stable hands would have to tend to these animals, even at times when the sun was down and it was dark outside. Here in Washington, DC the sun goes down before 5:00 p.m. at parts of the winter so it’s dark out even before the work day is done. Electricity for lighting and household convenience began to be used in cities like Washington, D.C. in the late 19th century. The widespread use of electric lighting can be traced back to the 1880s. Thomas Edison’s development of the practical incandescent light bulb in 1879 played a crucial role in making electric lighting feasible for widespread use. In Washington, D.C., electric street lighting was introduced in 1881, and by the late 1880s and early 1890s, electric lighting was becoming more common in homes and businesses. The introduction of electrical infrastructure, such as power plants and distribution networks, facilitated the transition. For instance, the Edison Electric Light Company established the first central power station in the United States in New York City in 1882, and similar developments soon followed in other cities, including Washington, D.C. By the turn of the century, electricity was increasingly available in urban areas, transforming daily life with electric lighting and other household conveniences. Surprising to most people today though, at the time that most historic brick buildings were actually built in DC, people were still often using candles and lanterns for lighting (in the early 20th century). While electricity was becoming more widespread, its adoption was gradual and not yet universal at the start of the century. Some historic buildings here in Washington DC still have remnants of the historic gas lights left behind. Even in many cases where the building owners aren’t aware of the historic infrastructure, when we do work to repair the buildings, we will often find remnants of the gas piping, originally used for gas lighting. The electrical infrastructure, such as power plants and distribution networks, was still being developed and expanded. Not all areas, especially rural and less affluent neighborhoods, had immediate access to electricity. The cost of installing electrical wiring and fixtures could be prohibitive for some households. Additionally, the ongoing expense of electric service was a consideration for many families. Early electrical service was often limited to certain parts of a city. Peripheral areas, smaller homes, and older buildings might not have had access to electricity until later. As well, early electrical systems were not as reliable as they are today. Outages and inconsistent service could lead people to continue using candles and lanterns as a backup or even primary source of lighting. By the 1920s and 1930s, electricity had become more reliable, affordable, and widely available, leading to a significant decline in the use of candles and lanterns for everyday lighting in urban areas like Washington, D.C. However, in the early 20th century, it was still common to see a mix of electric and traditional lighting methods. For these reasons, it was safer to store large quantities of hay bales up in a hayloft instead of on the ground level. If you’ve read some of our past blog articles, you may be aware that one of the major reasons brick masonry was used so prolifically in the construction of dense urban centers like here in Washington, DC, in historic times. That historic brick has an innate natural characteristic to resist and deter the spread of fires. Here, looking at the hayloft and the historic remnants of these spaces, left over and still visible in few places here in modern times, we can see the connection, all the way back to the historic times over 100 years ago. In this coming week’s article on part two of this series we’ll talk about why the historic brick masonry accessory buildings are built with similar methodologies and materials, yet in many cases have deteriorated much more drastically. We can HelpOur company focuses on historic restoration more than modern building upkeep, maintenance and construction, but our company understands both types of construction very well and a full picture well-rounded approach is needed in any niche in the construction industry. Although we focus on historic restoration, repointing, tuckpointing and historic brick repair, our company also has technical knowledge and competencies in the areas of modern and contemporary construction as well as we become one of the leaders in that area of the market today. Understanding both historic and modern or contemporary construction is useful because both aspects help understand the challenges and potential solutions for challenges in building science and construction. We can help with a variety of historic masonry restoration needs and upkeep, from modest tuckpointing and or repointing to complicated and extensive historic masonry restoration. Infinity Design Solutions is a historic restoration specialist contractor specializing in both historic masonry restoration such as tuck pointing our repointing, and brick repair. If you have questions about the architectural details or facade of your historic building in Washington DC, reach out and say hello and if we can help we’ll be glad to assist you. You can email us or call us on the telephone at the following link: contact us here. <p>The post Hay Doors in Historic Masonry Facades first appeared on Infinity Design Solutions.</p> Via https://www.ids-dmv.com/masonry/hay-doors-in-historic-masonry-facades/ A Romeo and Juliet balcony, also known as a Juliet balcony, is a type of balcony that is typically shallow in depth and does not have a walking surface. Instead, it consists of a decorative railing or guardrail that extends outward from an exterior door or window opening. The primary purpose of a Romeo and Juliet balcony is to provide a sense of outdoor space and allow for fresh air and natural light to enter the interior space, but it is not designed for standing or walking on. The main difference between a Romeo and Juliet balcony and a traditional balcony is:
Regarding the difference between a “Romeo” and “Juliet” balcony, there is no practical distinction. Both terms refer to the same type of shallow, non-walkable balcony with a decorative guardrail. The names are used interchangeably, with “Juliet balcony” being the more common term. A balcony that is just large enough to allow a door to open outward and for someone to stand in the doorway, but with no additional walking or standing space, is often referred to as a “French balcony” or a “false balcony.” The key characteristics of a French balcony or false balcony are:
The terms “French balcony” and “false balcony” distinguish these extremely shallow, non-functional balconies from traditional larger balconies with walking surfaces (sometimes called “full balconies”) and the slightly deeper Romeo and Juliet balconies with decorative railings. So in summary, a balcony just big enough for an open door and someone to stand in the doorway is commonly referred to as a French balcony or false balcony.
Here are some of the key factors that make it challenging to incorporate traditional balconies in such projects:
To address these challenges, developers in D.C. often explore alternative solutions, such as Juliet balconies, French balconies, or interior courtyards or terraces, which can provide a sense of outdoor space without the complexities associated with traditional balconies. Additionally, they may seek variances or special exceptions from the relevant authorities to accommodate balconies in their projects, provided they can demonstrate compliance with safety, accessibility, and historic preservation requirements. Our company focuses on historic restoration more than modern building upkeep, maintenance and construction, but our company understands both types of construction very well and a full picture well-rounded approach is needed in any niche in the construction industry. Although we focus on historic restoration, repointing, tuckpointing and historic brick repair, our company also has technical knowledge and competencies in the areas of modern and contemporary construction as well as we become one of the leaders in that area of the market today. Understanding both historic and modern or contemporary construction is useful because both aspects help understand the challenges and potential solutions for challenges in building science and construction. We can help with a variety of historic masonry restoration needs and upkeep, from modest tuckpointing and or repointing to complicated and extensive historic masonry restoration. Infinity Design Solutions is a historic restoration specialist contractor specializing in both historic masonry restoration such as tuck pointing our repointing, and brick repair. If you have questions about the architectural details or facade of your historic building in Washington DC, reach out and say hello and if we can help we’ll be glad to assist you. You can email us or call us on the telephone at the following link: contact us here. <p>The post Romeo and Juliet Balconies first appeared on Infinity Design Solutions.</p> Via https://www.ids-dmv.com/masonry/romeo-and-juliet-balconies/ Last week, we looked at a few different retaining walls that had a strong resemblance to a dry stack stone wall. Retaining walls are rarely created with dry stack stone. For several different reasons, alternative types of wall construction for assembly types are preferred for retaining walls. Today we will take a look at alternative types of walls that may be found both in retaining wall or exterior building wall construction. All of these types of walls happen to be stone, both ashlar and rubble stone masonry may be used in wall construction, but by comparison rubble masonry walls have some significant distinct characteristics from brick masonry walls. The picture below shows the exterior face of an rubble stone masonry wall set in a roughly 3/4 inch mortar joint. Rubble masonry and typical historic brick masonry differ significantly in terms of their construction methods, materials, and structural integrity. Ashlar stonework is a type of masonry construction that uses rectilinear cut stone blocks, often rectangular or square in shape, often referred to as “dressed” stone masonry units. These stones are laid in horizontal courses and tightly interlocked with each other, creating a monolithic and structurally robust wall system. The preciseness of the stones and the tight interlocking allow for a superior load-bearing capacity and structural stability. In the earliest ages of ashlar masonry, it was commonly used in the construction of important buildings, such as castles, fortifications, and monumental structures, where strength and durability were paramount. On the other hand, historic brick masonry typically involves the use of fired clay bricks laid in horizontal courses with mortar joints. Bricks are smaller and less precise than ashlar stones, and their structural interlocking relies heavily on the mortar joints and the bonding pattern used. Typical bonding patterns, such as English bond or Flemish bond, were designed to improve the structural integrity of the brickwork by staggering the vertical joints and creating a stronger bond between the courses. The evolution of these masonry techniques was driven by the availability of materials and the development of construction techniques. Ashlar masonry emerged as a highly skilled craft, as it required quarrying, cutting, and dressing large stones with precision tools. This method was labor-intensive and reserved for prestigious projects. Brick masonry, on the other hand, became more widespread as the production of fired clay bricks became more efficient and economical. Brick masonry was more accessible for a wider range of construction projects, from residential buildings to commercial structures. While ashlar masonry offers superior structural strength and interlocking, brick masonry relies more on the mortar and bonding patterns to achieve structural integrity. Both techniques have played significant roles in the evolution of construction methods and architectural styles throughout history. The pictures below and above show rubble masonry walls, essentially Stones walls built with stone that is not dressed or cut. There is no rectilinear shape to these stones and really they’ve only been shaped slightly to possibly fit together but not in a rectilinear form. Just like historic brick masonry walls, these type of rubble historic stone walls also need to be treated with care, have upkeep and maintenance performed on routines timetables and schedules and need repointing and or tuck pointing. The proper name though for this type of procedure really is repointing. Which requires a specific low compressive strength motor, Granite steering walls, for example, or one type of Stonewall which can actually handle a higher compressive strength or higher compressive resistance mortar. key differences between rubble stone masonry and brick masonry: Rubble Stone Masonry:
Brick Masonry:
While rubble stone masonry relies primarily on the mortar and the weight of the stones for stability, brick masonry derives its strength from the interlocking of individual units and the bonding patterns employed. Rubble stone is a more rudimentary and vernacular technique, while brick masonry is a more standardized and refined construction method. The choice between these two masonry types often depended on the availability of materials, desired structural performance, and the skill level of the masons involved in the construction process. We can HelpOur company focuses on historic restoration more than modern building upkeep, maintenance and construction, but our company understands both types of construction very well and a full picture well-rounded approach is needed in any niche in the construction industry. Although we focus on historic restoration, repointing, tuckpointing and historic brick repair, our company also has technical knowledge and competencies in the areas of modern and contemporary construction as well as we become one of the leaders in that area of the market today. Understanding both historic and modern or contemporary construction is useful because both aspects help understand the challenges and potential solutions for challenges in building science and construction. We can help with a variety of historic masonry restoration needs and upkeep, from modest tuckpointing and or repointing to complicated and extensive historic masonry restoration. Infinity Design Solutions is a historic restoration specialist contractor specializing in both historic masonry restoration such as tuck pointing our repointing, and brick repair. If you have questions about the architectural details or facade of your historic building in Washington DC, reach out and say hello and if we can help we’ll be glad to assist you. You can email us or call us on the telephone at the following link: contact us here. <p>The post Dry Stack Walls – Part II of II first appeared on Infinity Design Solutions.</p> Via https://www.ids-dmv.com/masonry/dry-stack-walls-part-ii-of-ii/ A few months ago, in the earliest part of the year, still in the late winter, we took a look at a historic stone masonry retaining wall. This wall almost looks like a dry stack wall but it’s not really actually dry stacked stone. Dry stack stone is stone masonry laid together in a wall without the use of mortar or cement. From a distance this wall looks a bit like a dry stack stone wall. However, dry stack walls are rarely used for large retaining walls of this type. Dry stack walls, also known as gravity walls, are masonry structures built without the use of mortar or other binding materials. While these walls have been used for centuries in various applications, they are rarely employed for large-scale masonry retaining walls due to several reasons:
While dry stack walls can be suitable for small-scale landscaping or decorative purposes, the structural limitations and durability concerns make them less desirable for large retaining wall applications. In most cases, reinforced concrete or mortared masonry walls are preferred for their superior strength, stability, and longevity when dealing with substantial earth retention requirements. Historic masonry construction was mostly done with lime based mortar. Most of the buildings here in Capitol Hill, for example we’re built with brick and lime rich or lime based binder mortar. And like many of those walls here in Washington DC today, they need to be repointed. Repointing is the process of removing deteriorated mortar at the outer edge of the face of the wall between the masonry units. This concept holds true both for stone and for brick masonry. The picture below shows a different wall from a very close nearby area. If you look closer though you can actually tell there is mortar between the joints and the gaps between the stones of this wall. This wall was repainted more recently and in more recent years. As well, it it is a slightly different type of mortar technique.
Here, as well, from a distance, this wall appears to be a dry stack wall, it was actually a rubble wall laid with traditional lime mortar. Another closer picture below shows some of the remaining elements of the mortar between the stones. Behind the cobwebs, you can see a dark discolored mortar joint with the binder of the mortar deteriorated and removed from aging over time. Just like historic brick masonry found all around Capitol Hill and Washington DC, this mortar has been in place for many decades and with exposure to weather cycles and unmitigated precipitation, the mortar joints have experienced decades of cycles of excessive hydrated and slowly deteriorated over the years. Like many of the historic brick buildings in Washington DC, this wall is in drastic need of repointing accurate historic restoration. Tuckpointing, as it’s sometimes erroneously referred to here in DC, and repointing is the laborious process of removing the deteriorated mortar at the outer face of the wall and then replacing that mortar in a sequence step process with historically accurate or mortar that has matching or similar characteristics to the original mortar. There are several different types of masonry units in several different types of wall assemblies and depending on the specific wall assembly, the mortar type and characteristics may vary significantly. The next picture below shows the same wall from a slightly wider view. You can see both plants and even the plant roots growing in the mortar joints between the stone. In the upcoming week, we will talk more about alternative types of masonry walls with a similar rubble stone appearance, yet built with totally different types of materials, and we will look at how historic masonry walls like the historic brick buildings of Capitol Hill and Washington DC are preserved and repaired through historic masonry restoration. We can HelpOur company focuses on historic restoration more than modern building upkeep, maintenance and construction, but our company understands both types of construction very well and a full picture well-rounded approach is needed in any niche in the construction industry. Although we focus on historic restoration, repointing, tuckpointing and historic brick repair, our company also has technical knowledge and competencies in the areas of modern and contemporary construction as well as we become one of the leaders in that area of the market today. Understanding both historic and modern or contemporary construction is useful because both aspects help understand the challenges and potential solutions for challenges in building science and construction. In an upcoming article, this coming week, we will discuss some of the elements of restoration and upkeep both on historic brick masonry in restoration processes like repointing, tuckpointing and in restoration and upkeep of other historic elements of both brick and stone masonry. We can help with a variety of historic masonry restoration needs and upkeep, from modest tuckpointing and or repointing to complicated and extensive historic masonry restoration. Infinity Design Solutions is a historic restoration specialist contractor specializing in both historic masonry restoration such as tuck pointing our repointing, and brick repair. If you have questions about the architectural details or facade of your historic building in Washington DC, reach out and say hello and if we can help we’ll be glad to assist you. You can email us or call us on the telephone at the following link: contact us here. <p>The post Dry Stack Wall …or is it?? Part I of II first appeared on Infinity Design Solutions.</p> Via https://www.ids-dmv.com/masonry/dry-stack-wall-or-is-it-part-i-of-ii/ This past week, we took a look at a historic stone masonry facade, this week we’re going to talk more about the details of restoration, maintenance and upkeep. Starting with that particular building, the process of restoration upkeep and ongoing preservation work on a historic facade like this must be done properly by a company that specializes in and is thoroughly trained in understanding the details of historic masonry restoration. Many people are out there in the DC area doing work of this type but very few have the knowledge, skills, and experience of the individuals at Infinity design solutions. Our company is a historic masonry specialist and everything else that follows in today’s article needs to be understood that should only be performed by trained individuals with extensive experience because doing restoration work without experience can cause irreparable damage. We are often called to fix extensive damage caused by other contractors who do not know how to do this type of work properly. In fact damage to Historic masonry by untrained contractors, by simply not understanding how to mix proper mortar, is so extensive and prolific that we feel it’s really important to just make a commentary on these details here in today’s blog. The picture below shows work taking place, in operation, on the lower of the building’s water tables at the area of the masonry opening at the window. In this particular case safety precautions are taken, including a double tie-off system, and a rope and lanyard system. The building itself has to be protected in a few different ways and with all the caution and care that goes into this type of work, human safety also needs to be taken to account. Protection is set up below the area of work to protect passer-bys on the street from any objects that might accidentally fall including debris and even hand tools, but also the workers are protected so that when we are working in areas like this if an accident were to happen we won’t necessarily fall all the way to the ground. Even when tied to a restraint type system like this, if a mistake happens, the fall itself, even when caught by a rope and harness can still cause injury. Lanyards are designed specifically to release in a tethered and staggered approach so that the catching of a fall is not as immediately impactful. Essentially the cessation of the fall is stopped in a graduated approach. In last week’s blog article, part one of this series, we looked at both the water table with the accentuated projection at the edge of the side of the building and we looked at the arched windows which are both grand in scale and intricately assembled to create a visually impactful architectural design. The tuck pointing and or repointing process (two distinct processes with terminology both conflate and commonly misused in our local DC community) involves removing deteriorated mortar of the outer edge of the edge of the exterior wall. Generally deteriorated motor will be removed to a depth of 3/4 of an inch to 1.25 inches in depth, inward from the outer wall face. Once deteriorated water has been removed in a process called raking, new mortar will be installed after the mortar joint (both the surrounding masonry units at the recessed raked joint and the remaining substrate mortar) has been significantly hydrated to avoid wicking water from the new mortar. The new motor is then applied in lifts or relatively small sections with a pointing trowel. Once the mortar has been fully applied to fill the recess or the void in the joint, the joint will be struck to smooth and shape. In historic brickwork, in the repointing or pointing process, the new joint will generally have a flush strike, meaning that the new joint will almost match the face of the brick with a slight recess. In some cases a concave or bucket handle type shape will be applied but in most types of historic mortar, to remain accurate the joint will be less concave and more flush. We can HelpOur company focuses on historic restoration more than modern building upkeep, maintenance and construction, but our company understands both types of construction very well and a full picture well-rounded approach is needed in any niche in the construction industry. Although we focus on historic restoration, repointing, tuckpointing and historic brick repair, our company also has technical knowledge and competencies in the areas of modern and contemporary construction as well as we become one of the leaders in that area of the market today. Understanding both historic and modern or contemporary construction is useful because both aspects help understand the challenges and potential solutions for challenges in building science and construction. We can help with a variety of historic masonry restoration needs and upkeep, from modest tuckpointing and or repointing to complicated and extensive historic masonry restoration. Infinity Design Solutions is a historic restoration specialist contractor specializing in both historic masonry restoration such as tuck pointing our repointing, and brick repair. If you have questions about the architectural details or facade of your historic building in Washington DC, reach out and say hello and if we can help we’ll be glad to assist you. You can email us or call us on the telephone at the following link: contact us here. <p>The post Ornate Historic Stone Facade – Part II of II first appeared on Infinity Design Solutions.</p> Via https://www.ids-dmv.com/masonry/ornate-historic-stone-facade-part-ii-of-ii/ Today we’re starting an article series of case studies looking at specific historic architectural facades built with mostly masonry elements. In some cases both stone and brick were built in very ornate and decorative style in historic times. These types of facades were a sign of superior architecture and design. Even today with low-cost mass-produced masonry, brick masonry and stone masonry are still considered superior to wood-built facades, and for good reason.
Like the notable, both massive and pronounced in successive recesses of stone masonry, the Roman arches of this building were built with stonework that is self-sustaining in the Roman Arch configuration. This semi circle arch, invented thousands of years ago is one of the principal elements of facade construction that allows for stability and also fenestration and openings into a building from the exterior. Although the word architecture has only been used in the English language for a mere half millennium, the root for the word for architect goes back to Greek and Roman usage which referred to both design and construction of buildings, but was also related and connected to the concept of creating archways and openings in historic masonry buildings.
We can HelpOur company focuses on historic restoration more than modern building upkeep, maintenance and construction, but our company understands both types of construction very well and a full picture well-rounded approach is needed in any niche in the construction industry. Although we focus on historic restoration, repointing, tuckpointing and historic brick repair, our company also has technical knowledge and competencies in the areas of modern and contemporary construction as well as we become one of the leaders in that area of the market today. Understanding both historic and modern or contemporary construction is useful because both aspects help understand the challenges and potential solutions for challenges in building science and construction. In an upcoming article, this coming week, we will discuss some of the elements of restoration and upkeep both on historic brick masonry in restoration processes like repointing, tuckpointing and in restoration and upkeep of other historic elements of both brick and stone masonry. We can help with a variety of historic masonry restoration needs and upkeep, from modest tuckpointing and or repointing to complicated and extensive historic masonry restoration. Infinity Design Solutions is a historic restoration specialist contractor specializing in both historic masonry restoration such as tuck pointing our repointing, and brick repair. If you have questions about the architectural details or facade of your historic building in Washington DC, reach out and say hello and if we can help we’ll be glad to assist you. You can email us or call us on the telephone at the following link: contact us here. <p>The post Ornate Historic Stone Facade – Part I of II first appeared on Infinity Design Solutions.</p> Via https://www.ids-dmv.com/masonry/ornate-historic-stone-facade-part-i-of-ii/ |
About UsInfinity Design Solutions LLC (IDS) is a full service general contracting company in the heart of the Dupont Circle neighborhood of Washington, DC. We focus on repair and renovation of buildings and facilities in both historic designated neighborhoods and the commercial-zoned central business district of the city. Follow Us
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