Facade repair & restoration in NYC
Restore your building's architectural integrity - from brownstone spalling to commercial tower masonry failures, we repair what others replace.
Material-Matched Restorationbrownstone, limestone, brick, and terra-cotta repairs matched to original materials - no unnecessary replacement
Structural Stabilizationwe stabilize cracks, spalling, and loose masonry before small defects turn into unsafe conditions
Landmark-Compliant WorkLPC-aware repair methods for historic facades, brownstones, and prewar buildings
$11M CoverageFully insured with $11M umbrella coverage for facade repair and high-rise access in NYC
The mechanics of
facade deterioration
NYC freeze-thaw cycles, acid rain, and building movement turn small facade cracks into larger masonry failures.
WHY SMALL CRACKS BECOME BIG PROBLEMS
NYC’s climate creates 40–60 freeze-thaw cycles a year. Water enters small cracks, freezes, expands, and breaks masonry from within. Acid rain from vehicle emissions attacks limestone and marble, slowly wearing down the stone surface.
Building settlement cracks the mortar joints. Winter de-icing salt wicks into brick, crystallizes, and causes spalling.
THE HIDDEN COSTS OF WAITING:
Repair Cost Escalation:
A $2,000 brownstone facade repair — repointing 50 sq. ft. of deteriorated mortar — can become an $8,000 repair when spalled stone and structural backing need replacement. Deferred five years, it can turn into a $25,000 facade rebuild with steel reinforcement. One Park Slope brownstone owner told us: “I ignored a small crack for three winters. It turned into a $40,000 facade restoration project.”
DOB Violations & Legal Liability:
A single complaint about loose facade elements can trigger an immediate inspection. If unsafe conditions exist, you may receive a violation requiring sidewalk shedding within 72 hours — often costing $3,000–$5,000 per month in scaffold rental before repairs even begin.
Property Value Impact & Sale Obstacles:
Buyers hire inspectors who identify deterioration and demand price concessions. Commercial property sales require facade condition reports — buildings with deferred repairs are flagged as “material defects,” which can derail deals or require escrow holdbacks.
THE BIG APPLE restoration protocol
We diagnose root causes, repair the failure correctly, and restore facades with material-matched methods built for long-term performance.
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Structural diagnostics & failure analysis
Using infrared thermography, moisture meters, and physical probes, we map water infiltration paths, identify hidden voids behind the facade, and determine whether deterioration is surface-level or structural.
Material-matched restoration & craftsmanship
Brownstone restoration on 1880s rowhouses requires Connecticut brownstone that matches the original quarry source. Brick facade restoration on prewar buildings requires water-struck brick consistent with 1920s manufacturing — modern extruded brick does not match in appearance or performance.
Landmarks compliance & permit coordination
We prepare LPC material submissions, attend hearings, and coordinate with preservation architects to secure Certificates of Appropriateness. All restoration work uses LPC-approved materials and methods aligned with official guidelines.Big Apple Window Company at work
More than 2 decades of experience in property maintenance.
Rescuing a park slope icon
See the difference. We rebuilt a severely deteriorated brownstone facade — matching 1890s stone and traditional masonry techniques to restore its architectural integrity.
BEFORE
AFTER
Engineering specifications & guarantees
Clear specs. Straight answers. Here’s what professional facade restoration looks like — compare our process against any facade restoration contractor in NYC.
Masonry & materials standards
Quarry-matched stone — brownstone, limestone, granite. Water-struck brick for historic buildings. ASTM C270 Type O/N lime mortar. Jahn M70/M100 restoration mortars. LPC-approved.
Structural repair technology
Stainless steel pinning and anchoring per ASTM A240. Helical bed joint reinforcement. Through-wall flashing — copper or stainless steel. Breathable silane/siloxane sealers with 10-year durability.
Access & safety systems
SPRAT Level 2/3 rope access for hard-to-reach facades. Operated boom-lift access up to 300 ft. DOB-permitted scaffold systems. OSHA fall protection per 1926.501. Sidewalk sheds for pedestrian safety during work.
Risk management
$11 million umbrella coverage for facade work at height. Full NY Labor Law §240/241 coverage. No Action Over exclusions. COIs provided to boards and property managers.
EXPERIENCE THE NEW STANDARD
Join 200+ landmark buildings and 10,000+ homeowners.
While we’re on-site
Our facade restoration specialists identify related issues that often come with masonry deterioration.
