Novices Can Destroy Homes of Old on the Philadelphia Main Line

Dec. 19, 2009 - PRLog -- Natural Roofing: Maintain It, Embrace It - Do Not Allow a Novice to Destroy It!

The Philadelphia Main Line exudes matchless architectural distinction emanating in a real and tangible culture of its own.  The cornerstones of the way of life of the Philadelphia Main Line are the immovable, the constants, the buildings of the several eras that have made these communities exclusive by the formidable statements left behind by those that preceded us.  

The architecture of the area from the mid-1850’s to the roaring 1920’s to the mid-twentieth century, the area’s buildings are a history lesson within themselves.  From the old balloon framed buildings complete with mortise and tendon construction to the mixture of modern millwork & mixed methodologies and solid brick insulated walls to solid stone structures, these structures all require upkeep from the damage done by the elements.  The exterior of these buildings and structures must be maintained by true craftsmen of the trades.  

Much damage can be done by the inexperienced contractors of today that endeavor to meet the needs of the consumer.  The consumer must be educated to discern the differences between tradesmen, lest these structures of old are ruined by stop-gap measures.  The trades of the exterior restoration contractor include:  Masonry, Roofing, Siding, Sheet Metal, Tin-Knockers, Coppersmiths, etc.    Appreciation of Old World Craftsmanship is imperative.

The field work for a local company, FSI Restorations, LLC, is a continuing learning experience, as with each job, something is learned.  Right down to the pencil used to mark out the framing to the nails used to fasten the wood beams to the mortise and tendon joints to the roof flashings employed to keep out the elements, all speak volumes of the times in which a given building was built.   A given Steel Pan Flashing may have been used (to save money over copper, as some have theorized, or) to hold up against sulfur soot damage from anthracite coal heating.   All given and known information should be considered prior to any work on these structures.  

Period accuracy should be considered in the materials used in the repair of these buildings.  Modern methodologies can actually destroy these properties.  Consumers should carefully consider the contractor engaged to repair and restore their properties.  FSI Restorations, LLC has a lot to say about the industry and careful consumers are encouraged to browse through some of the several thousand pages contained on the company website.

Philadelphia Towns Serviced:  Roofing Contractor; Slate, Copper, Tile Roofing Serving: Ardmore, Bala Cynwyd, Bryn Mawr, Berwyn, Daylesford, Devon, Gladwyne, Haverford, Malvern, Merion, Narberth, Paoli, Penn Valley, Radnor, Rosemont, St. Davids, Strafford, Villanova, Wayne, Wynnewood

http://www.fourseasonsroofingandsiding.com/Philadelphia_M...

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FSI Restorations, LLC is a home improvement contractor with a keen eye for history in its work, which is viewed as a legacy for the company, and as a good custodians of your property, it truly will be repaired as if it were the home of each tradesmen employed by the company working on it.