Greetings!
In this issue, our Case Study article features a completed restoration of the brick façade of three attached condominium buildings at 24-38 Summit Avenue in Brookline, MA. Our Masonry 101 article describes why masonry may be preferable to steel studs to back up an exposed parapet.
We trust that you will benefit from the information provided in this publication. If you have any comments or questions, or would like an estimate on a masonry repair project, we can be reached at
617-445-0274 or at www.abbotbuilding.com.
Sincerely,
Michael Norman, President
Abbot Building Restoration Company, Inc.
|
|
Abbot Restores Brick Facade of Brookline Condominium Buildings
Abbot recently completed restoration of the façade of three attached brick condominium buildings at 24-38 Summit Avenue in Brookline, MA.
 | |
Shown is a section of three attached brick condominium buildings on Summit Avenue, Brookline, MA, restored by Abbot.
|
When these buildings were converted to condominiums in the 1980s, the Condominium Association installed all new replacement windows at that time. Although the windows are technically the responsibility of the condominium unit owners, when the windows recently began to leak, the Condominium Association agreed to recaulk the windows as a courtesy to the condominium unit owners to minimize water seepage into the interior of the units.
The Condominium Association hired the architectural consulting firm of Gorman Richardson Lewis (Hopkinton, MA) to evaluate the situation and provide specifications for the repairs. Selected as the masonry contractor by the consulting firm, Abbot recaulked the entire front facade of all three buildings according to the architectural specifications to improve the water penetration problem.
|
|
For Parapet Back-Up:
Choose Masonry over Steel Studs
Parapets are among the most exposed elements on a building, not only on the front face, but also on the top and back of the wall. Parapets are often subjected to high winds, wind-driven rain, and temperature extremes. They also lack the weight of a wall above, resulting in even more unrestrained movement.
 While steel studs may appear to be a logical choice as a supporting material, a masonry back-up is more robust and can handle more severe exposures.
Compared to masonry materials, steel studs increase the risk of moisture and the resulting corrosion, with moisture emanating from several sources, including:
- Roof systems are prone to failure and leaks over time.
- Copings may also fail and may not be able to handle the differential movement between the steel studs and the brick.
- As steel is a good conductor of heat, studs that run from a floor below up past the roof are subject to temperature variations that can increase the chances for condensation.
- The higher flexibility of steel studs may allow cracks to form in the masonry veneer, which in turn can result in more moisture penetration.
|
|
|
|
Abbot Building Restoration Company, Inc.
28 Allerton Street, Boston, MA 02119
Tel: 617-445-0274 · Fax: 617-445-0277
estimating@abbotbuilding.com · www.abbotbuilding.com
|
|
|
Featured Articles
Case Study
Abbot recently restored the facade of three attached brick condominium buildings in Brookline, MA.
See full article below
Masonry 101
For backing up an exposed parapet, the use of masonry may be a better choice than steel studs.
See full article below
|
|
