Building Solutions
Diamond Bar

News and Insights on the Preservation of Commercial and Institutional Building Structures in the Greater Boston Area




Vol.2 No.7

September 2010

Greetings!


In this issue of Building Solutions, we continue to feature Case Study articles on our historic and period restoration projects, this time describing how Abbot replaced the steeple at the Episcopal Church of Our Saviour in Brookline, MA with a gothic tower.  We also include a Building Basics article on brick wall types.

We trust that you will benefit from the information provided in this publication. If you have any comments or questions, we can be reached at 617-445-0274 or at www.abbotbuilding.com.
 
Sincerely,
 
Michael Norman
Vice President
Abbot Building Restoration Company, Inc.
617-445-0274

Abbot Replaces Episcopal Church Steeple with Gothic Tower

Built in 1868 by Amos Adams Lawrence, a well-known local businessman and philanthropist, and his brother William, the Episcopal Church of Our Saviour in Brookline, MA, is a handsome stone structure whose gothic design is typical of similar buildings of that era. 
 
leventhal-sidman jcc backThe original design of the church featured a 32-foot hexagonal stone steeple extending above a 52-foot rectangular stone and granite tower.  In 2001, an engineering firm (Structures-North, Salem, MA) was contracted by the owner to evaluate the structural integrity of the steeple.  The firm determined that the steeple was severely deteriorated and recommended that it be removed.
 
Abbot was initially contracted to remove the steeple and simply finish it with a structural wood roof.  However, the construction/design team realized that the appearance would not be consistent with the rest of the church, and investigated similar structures built in that era to create a more aesthetically appealing design.  Based on the results of this investigation, the team decided that the tower needed a finished appearance. The final plan specified creation of a gothic stone crown in place of the steeple, a design that is consistent with a common style of that era.
 
Abbot used stone salvaged from the steeple to extend the tower.  The exterior stone walls were lengthened approximately 6 feet above the roof, and a series of ornamental granite "crownations" was added to complete the gothic appearance. An EPDM surface was installed on the roof, and the roof was properly flashed to waterproof the tower.

Brick Wall Types

There are three basic categories of masonry brick walls:
solid, cavity, and veneer.

leventhal-sidman jcc backSolid walls are two or more layers of brick held together with metal ties or header bricks laid perpendicular to the plane of the wall. Solid wall strength is a function of wall thickness, brick and mortar durability, and the strength of the mortar bond.



leventhal-sidman jcc backCavity walls
consist of an outer layer of brick attached to an inner support, and separated by an air space of 2-4 inches. The inner support may be another brick wall, a concrete block wall, or poured concrete. The cavity wall is an ideal masonry system for preventing water penetration as the air space itself acts as a water barrier.

brick veneer wall
Veneer walls
are typically a single layer of brick tied to steel or wood studs. The single layer wall has low insulation value. Insulation is attached to the studs and is not incorporated within the masonry.

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Signs of Brick Deterioration
  • Stains, cracks or missing mortar
  • Delamination
  • Efflorescence (white stains resulting                                 from water extracting salts from the brick) 
  • Broken or loose bricks

Abbot can offer recommendations for a variety of brick repairs.  Contact us at 617-445-0274 for a FREE INSPECTIONAL SURVEY or visit our web site at www.abbotbuilding.com.


About Abbot Building Restoration

Abbot Building Restoration Company, Inc., has been providing quality construction and restoration services for more than 50 years.  We have built our reputation on a strong work ethic, a high level of technical expertise, and longstanding relationships with a variety of clients in the public, institutional, and commercial sectors.
 
We specialize in restoring and preserving the integrity of the building envelope of aging and problem structures in the greater Boston area.  We also provide remedial weatherproofing services to correct construction deficiencies in newer structures.  Our specific areas of expertise include:


o   Masonry construction and repairs
o   Weatherproofing services
o   Caulking
o   Pointing
o   Waterproofing
o   Special coatings and sealants
o   Roof repair, replacement, or resurfacing


Call Abbot today at 617-445-0274 to arrange for a FREE INSPECTIONAL INVESTIGATION, or visit our web site at www.abbotbuilding.com.


abbot logo

Abbot Building Restoration Company, Inc.
28 Allerton Street, Boston, MA 02119
Tel: 617-445-0274  · Fax: 617-445-0277

IN THIS ISSUE....

Case Study
Abbot recently replaced the steeple the historic Episcopal Church of Our Saviour with a gothic tower.

See full article below.


Building Basics
Brick wall types include solid, cavity, and veneer.

See full article below.




   Visit Our   Web Site


Our web site provides descriptions of a wide range of challenging restoration projects  we have completed such as the  Episcopal Church of Our Saviour Case Study in this issue.

It also includes a number of comprehensive Building Basics tutorials on brick, concrete, sealants, coatings and sealers, and roofing.

We invite you to visit our site, and welcome comments or questions on any of our services.

If you have an upcoming restoration project, contact us at 617-445-0274 or at estimating@abbotbuilding.com
for a free no obligation estimate.