Preservation and Repairs

R&B specializes in the sympathetic preservation and enhancement of historic buildings. We can install new features that match original features that are in poor condition or lost. Our specialist carpenters and suppliers can achieve any preservation goal for a property.
​
We can read the surviving, trace evidence on a building to understand how certain features were configured, how they were put together, and what needs to be added to enhance the historic character of a building.

Repaired the woodwork of the cupola, replaced the copper dome, replaced the wood shingle roof, and repainted the highly significant New Castle Town Hall, 1823, Delaware

Provided numerous services over several years, including new rear stairs, refurbishing the floors, updating the bathroom, overseeing the sensitive installation of HVAC systems and installing interior storm windows that harmonize with the historic character of the existing windows for the Lincoln Biography Building, 1832, West Chester, Pennsylvania

Replaced mahogany fascia boards to original specifications and reinstated the structural integrity of the unique roof system on this mid-20th century home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, Delaware Valley region

Repaired 23 sash on the Lukens Rolling Mill building, owned by the National Iron and Steel Museum. This mill supplied steel for the World Trade Center. Coatesville, Pennsylvania

Harmonious and Period-Accurate New Construction

In many cases, historic buildings need a degree of modernization to meet the needs of current owners. Additions or energy efficiency upgrades are warranted. We can add features and services, building new rooms and wings, while maintaining the historic character. With our knowledge of historic architectural styles and building traditions, we can guide the decision-making process to achieve a harmonious appearance.

Renovated and updated the kitchen of an 18th century house in the style of the existing 1940s kitchen, West Chester, Pennsylvania

Erected a new, screened in porch to match the neo-classical details of this 1930s residence, Wilmington, Delaware

Sustainability and Energy Efficiency Upgrades

We understand that when measuring the embodied carbon, no new house is more green than an existing house, and traditional construction evolved over time to work with the environment and local climates. They breathe, swell and shrink by the day and by the season. Upgrades have to take this into account or problems will result.
With rising energy costs and fewer natural resources at our disposal, traditional and historic architecture must be reused, invested in, and upgraded. We know how to improve the thermal performance of traditional buildings, preserving their character and reducing their energy costs.
Both principals have achieved Green Advantage® certification, a program of the US Green Building Council for training contractors in sustainability. This program is aligned with the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) green building rating system.
We also reduce the carbon footprint of our projects by donating reusable building materials and recycling materials that cannot be reused.

Installed custom-made wooden, interior storm windows to complement the trim of the historic windows of Wilmington Friends Meetinghouse, 1819, Wilmington, Delaware

Designed insulation specifications to maximize R-values in walls and ceilings of a kitchen renovation in 1940s wing of 1790s farmhouse, West Goshen, Pennsylvania

Consultations

We provide consultation services to owners of historic properties, guiding their maintenance and preservation plans, identifying any significant issues that may lurk in the building fabric, providing repair estimates, and helping to plan additions and sympathetic alterations.

For Kennett Township's new park, Spar Hill Farm, provided a scope of work with cost estimates for the stabilization of the most historically significant buildings in the complex. Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania.

Helping the Mill at Anselma Preservation and Educational Trust with the repairs of their cast iron water wheel, National Historic Landmark, 1747, Chester Springs, Pennsylvania

Providing preservation and maintenance guidance for the Downingtown Log House, 1711, to the owner, Downingtown Borough. Pennsylvania.

Prepared a five-year maintenance and preservation plan for Frick's Lock Village, working with the owners, Exelon Corporation (now Constellation Energy) and the East Coventry Township Historical Commission, 18th and 19th centuries, Spring City, Pennsylvania.

Full-Service Contracting

We are specialist carpenters and general contractors. We can undertake small jobs, such as window sill replacements, or large, multi-phase projects involving numerous subcontractors.  Our subcontractors specialize in historic masonry, roofing, plastering/stucco, glazing, and painting.  Our electrical and plumbing subcontractors know how to install new systems without diminishing the historic character and features of significant buildings.

Erected two harmonious door hoods for Nantmeal village farmhouse, Chester County, Pennsylvania

Lead the team to add period-accurate dormers and replace the roof on 1790s/1810s farmhouse, Chester County, Pennsylvania

Built a large addition to accommodate a new kitchen and breakfast nook, New Castle County, Delaware

Provided building management services to owners of a 1920s Georgian Revival-style residential property, Westover Hills, Delaware

James Breen - Principal
[email protected] - 484-716-2343

​Matthew Roberson - Principal
[email protected] - 610-620-4656