Business Details
18 Years
experience
Expert Historic Building Restoration Services
Founded in 2008, The Durable Restoration specializes in preserving and restoring historic structures with a commitment to maintaining cultural heritage. Our team of expert artisans possesses over two decades of combined experience in traditional trades, including masonry, roofing, plasterwork, and structural stabilization. We operate nationally with offices in Ohio, Indiana, Louisiana, and Florida, offering comprehensive services ranging from condition assessments to full-scale rehabilitation projects. Our sister company, The Durable Slate Company, enhances our capabilities in historic roofing solutions.Certified in specialized materials like lime mortar and Jahn mortar, we prioritize historically accurate techniques while ensuring structural integrity. Our work spans churches, commercial buildings, museums, and government landmarks, reflecting our dedication to quality, integrity, and client collaboration. Recognized for award-winning craftsmanship, we adhere to rigorous safety standards and industry best practices to deliver lasting results that honor architectural history.
Services
Historic Masonry Repair
Roofing Restoration
Plaster Conservation
Structural Stabilization
Coatings Analysis
Graffiti Removal
Investigative Probes
Details
- Year established: 2008
Highlights and features
- We employ artisans certified in historic lime mortar application by U.S. Heritage Group.
- Our team includes NRCA National MVP Award-winning slate roofers.
- We provide detailed preservation plans and material specifications for long-term care.
- Our structural stabilization projects maintain 100% success rate over decades.
- We combine 20+ traditional trades with modern diagnostic technologies like GPR.
Services
Historic Masonry Repair
Specialized repair of historic brick, stone, and terra cotta using lime-based mortars. Our artisans analyze deterioration causes and employ traditional techniques to ensure structural integrity while maintaining original aesthetics. Services include repointing, stone patching, and mortar analysis to match historic compositions.
Roofing Restoration
Comprehensive restoration of slate, clay tile, and metal roofs using reclaimed materials. Our sister company's expertise includes complex copper detailing and standing seam installations that preserve architectural authenticity while meeting modern durability standards through proper flashing and underlayment systems.
Structural Stabilization
Engineering solutions for structurally compromised historic buildings. Our methods include steel reinforcement, foundation repair, and graphite rod epoxy systems designed to address soil erosion and age-related deterioration while maintaining original structural character through minimally invasive techniques.
Historic Plaster Conservation
Recreation of three-coat lime plaster systems and two-coat veneer alternatives. Our specialists repair damaged historic plaster using traditional methods that maintain fire resistance and acoustic properties while addressing moisture issues through precise material matching and application techniques.
Coatings Analysis
Identification and remediation of historic coatings including lead paint and mineral washes. We employ specialized testing to determine coating composition and deterioration causes, implementing breathable, historically appropriate solutions that prevent further substrate damage while preserving original finishes.
People
John Chan
Principal, VP of Public Relations
Recognized expert in historic roofing with 35+ years of experience. Developed industry best practices through National Slate Association leadership and international project execution.
Gary Howes
COO
Master craftsman with 30+ years in historic preservation. Certified in historical mortars and holds leadership roles in multiple national roofing associations.
Julie Butler
Preservation Director
Preservationist with MA in Historic Preservation. Manages quality control for high-profile projects including World Heritage Sites and Eisenhower Executive Office Building.
Shane Day
AVP of Production
20+ years of experience in masonry and metal restoration. Oversees production for complex projects involving churches, lighthouses, and statehouses while maintaining preservation standards.
Joe Cugini
V.P. Construction
Structural engineering expert with four decades of experience. Ensures 100% success rate in stabilization projects through innovative solutions for challenging structural problems.
Questions
What types of historic buildings do you restore?
We specialize in restoring churches, government buildings, museums, universities, and commercial structures built before 1930 using traditional materials.
Why use lime mortar instead of modern cement?
Lime mortar's flexibility and vapor permeability prevent damage to historic bricks, unlike rigid, moisture-trapping masonry cement.
Do you handle emergency structural stabilization?
While we prioritize planned projects, our team addresses urgent stabilization needs through specialized shoring and reinforcement techniques.
Can you match historic roofing materials?
Our sister company maintains extensive inventories of reclaimed slate and clay tiles for authentic roof restorations.
How do you ensure historically accurate coatings?
We analyze existing coatings and employ traditional methods like mineral washes and encaustic painting for period-appropriate finishes.
