Preserving history by matching every shade of the past
In short: Watch as mason Mark McCullough restores a weathered fireplace in Arlington. You will see how to repair structural settling and replace broken decorative elements while maintaining historical integrity.
The restoration focuses on two primary tasks: repointing mortar and repairing a clay mantel. To ensure the fireplace retains its original charm, McCullough matches the specific reddish hue of the old mortar by gradually mixing powdered dye into his new batch.
For the broken mantel, missing sections were cast offsite using molds taken from the surviving original pieces. These new cement components are designed to blend seamlessly with the old once painted, demonstrating how modern materials can be used to preserve historic craftsmanship.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: How to Restore an Old Fireplace | This Old House
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