 |
News and Insights on the Masonry Repair and Maintenance of Institutional, Commercial, and Condominium Buildings in
Eastern Massachusetts
|
Volume 9 No. 7
October 2017
|
In this issue, our
Case Study article describes the
completion of masonry restoration project at a distinguished English Tudor style home in Newton, MA by Abbot's Small Projects Division. In our
Masonry 101 article, we describe what a "turret" is and its derivation.
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 www.abbotbuilding.com.
Sincerely,
Michael Norman, President
Abbot Building Restoration Company, Inc.
|
|
|
Case Study
Abbot's Small Projects Division Completes Masonry Restoration Project on an English Tudor Style Home
|
|
|
|
English Tudor Home (before restoration)
|
|
Abbot's Small Projects Division recently completed a masonry restoration project at a distinguished English Tudor style home in Newton, MA. Built in 1930, this historic home is constructed of brick with precast concrete sills and ornamental stone work around the windows.
|
|
|
English Tudor Home
(after restoration)
|
In late summer 2017,
the owner cont
ac
te
d Abbot to examine the deteriorated stone turret in the front entranceway and both sides of the w
i
ndows, and make recommendations for repairs.
Drawing from its vast experience with historic restoration, Abbot suggested that the stonework could be repaired rather than replaced. Based on this evaluation, Abbot proceeded to remove the defective stone areas and replicate the original construction details with restoration materials. To complete the repair, Abbot coated the area with a water resistant elastomeric coating.
Abbot's Small Projects Division specializes in structures ranging from 1-3 stories to buildings up to 60 feet high. Service areas include condominiums, apartments, small office buildings, and private residences.
|
|
|
|
Masonry 101
What is a "Turret"
In our Case Study article, we referred to the "turret" around the entranceway of the English Tudor home.
A turret is simply a small, circular tower built into to a larger structure, usually on a corner or angle, to provide a decorative effect. The difference between a turret and an actual tower is that turrets typically don't start at the ground level and, rather, cantilever out from another upper level.
The word "turret" comes from the Italian word "torretta" (little tower) and the Latin word "turris" (tower).
Turrets were originally found on Medieval castles as decorative features that echoed full-scale towers. During the mid and late Victorian era, the corner tower became a staple of home design. However, the architectural design best known for residential turrets was the Queen Anne style. Homes built in the Queen Anne style boast a picturesque aesthetic with a combination of features like brackets, gables, oriel windows, decorative shingling, and asymmetrical, multi-faceted facades.
Turrets were also used for military fortification to provide a projecting defensive position against enemy fire.
|
|
|
|
Abbot Building Restoration Co., Inc.
28 Allerton Street, Boston, MA 02119
Tel: 617-445-0274 ยท Fax: 617-445-0277
www.abbotbuilding.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
