Dear (Contact First Name),
In this issue, our Case Study article features our recent restoration of the facade of a spa building located adjacent to the to the Healthworks Fitness Center in Boston's Chestnut Hill area. Again, Abbot has come full circle as they had been contracted to work on the main fitness center building several years ago. The recent work was done by our Small Projects Division. Our Masonry 101 article describes the perhaps unfamiliar term "wythe".
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 Co., Inc.
|
|
Abbot Restores Concrete and Brick Facade of Chestnut Hill Spa Building
Abbot's Small Projects Division recently restored the concrete and brick façade of the full service "SkinHealth" spa building located adjacent to the Healthworks Fitness Center in Boston's Chestnut Hill area. Having restored the main fitness facility several years ago, Abbot was asked by Healthworks to survey their spa building in the fall of 2012. Abbot's investigation indicated that the concrete band above the storefront had been stained with atmospheric dirt from the adjacent highway, and also found several areas of concrete deterioration. In addition, areas at the top of the brick wall around the perimeter of the building were stained and deteriorated.
 | |
Healthworks "SkinHealth" Spa Building
|
Following the investigation, Abbot was contracted to power wash the concrete and brick masonry around entire building to remove the atmospheric staining, and to repair the concrete band above the storefront. Abbot also repaired the brick around the perimeter of the building and surrounding the windows, carefully matching the mortar color to assure a consistent appearance. To complete the restoration, Abbot capped all of the brick with bronze coated aluminum, and coated the concrete band to match the appearance of the main building.
|
|
What is a Wythe?
Not to be confused with the word "width", a wythe is a continuous vertical section of masonry one unit in thickness. A wythe may be independent of, or interlocked with, the adjoining wythe(s). A single wythe of brick that is not structural in nature is referred to as a veneer.
 A multi-wythe masonry wall may be composed of a single type of masonry unit layered to increase its thickness and structural strength, or different masonry units chosen by function. For example, an economical concrete block can serve a structural purpose, while a more expensive brick may be selected for its aesthetic appearance. Cavity walls are comprised of two wythes of masonry separated by a continuous airspace (cavity). Loose fill insulation materials can occupy the entire cavity space since these materials allow water to drain freely through them.
|
|
|
|
Abbot Building Restoration Company, Inc.
28 Allerton Street, Boston, MA 02119
Tel: 617-445-0274 · Fax: 617-445-0277
info@abbotbuilding.com · www.abbotbuilding.com
|
|
|
Featured Articles
Case Study
Abbot's Small Projects Division recently restored the facade of a spa building in Boston's Chestnut Hill area. Coming full circle, Abbot had previously been contracted to work on the adjacent building by the same lessee.
See full article below
Masonry 101
Perhaps you have seen the term "wythe" in one of our previous articles and wondered what it meant.
See full article below
|
Coming Full Circle
"Coming Full Circle" is a common theme in Abbot's 77 year history. Over the years, we have often performed work several times on the same building and/or for the same owner.
A recent article published in the New England Real Estate Journal exemplifies this theme.
The article can be found by clicking on the following link:
|
|
