Enhancing Structural Integrity with Flat Bar Reinforced Window Headers: Part II This past week, we looked at some of the historic types of window openings and began comparing the wrought iron flat bar used at this particular historic building and the contemporary types of elements… Read More »Flat Bar Reinforced Window Header – Part II
Understanding Fake Rubble Masonry Walls: An Overview Retaining walls are commonly used for stabilization at grade changes in general site layouts and yards. However, this type of masonry can also be seen at many building foundations and facades as well. We first looked at a… Read More »Fake Rubble Masonry Walls
Creative Masonry Design: Interspersing Brick and Block A few months back, while traveling, we saw an interesting masonry building assembly that caught our attention because it’s relatively simple, and made from relatively typical, basically ubiquitous, types of construction materials, yet it looks a little better… Read More »Interspersing Brick and Block for a Creative Design
Lateral Failure in Historic Concrete Opening Headers: Causes & Solutions The majority of the historic buildings here in Washington DC were built from brick masonry over about 100 years ago at that time, concrete existed and was being used in some cases but it wasn’t… Read More »Lateral Failure in Historic Concrete Opening Headers
Spray Foam is Not the Answer – Part III: Better Alternatives for Masonry Over the past few weeks we’ve been looking at cases where spray foam has been installed for purposes for which it is not intended. We’ve shown many examples of the improper use… Read More »Spray Foam is NOT the Answer – Part III
Continuing the Case Against Spray Foam: Understanding the Risks and Better Options This past week, we started looking at a topic of spray foam used to fill voids, gaps, holes, and even cracks in some cases, in exterior masonry walls. Often, these walls need actual… Read More »Spray Foam is NOT the Answer – Part II
Why Spray Foam Isn’t the Best Solution for Facade Restoration: Part I Our company focuses on facade restoration and here on our blog and website, we are constantly looking at examples from the field and talking about proper building practices related to facade upkeep and… Read More »Spray Foam is NOT the Answer – Part I
In the picture below, you can see an old Garage wall left behind or the old masonry. The old wall stands directly against another building. This historic masonry wall is deteriorated and falling apart but the building adjacent to it or right next to it… Read More »An Old Garage Wall Left Behind
At Infinity Design Solutions, LLC, we take great pride in our craftsmanship and expertise in restoring the beauty and integrity of historic homes in Washington, DC. Our latest project involved meticulous tuckpointing on a charming historic property in the heart of the city. Tuckpointing is… Read More »Recent Historic Tuckpointing Project Completed in Washington, DC
Last week we took a look at a building with iron spot bricks. The appearance of iron spots can vary widely depending on several factors: Clay Composition: The amount and type of iron compounds in the clay significantly influence the frequency and size of the… Read More »Ironspot Brick and Deteriorated Historic Mortar – Part II