Leave beautiful, interior masonry walls exposed — But, do it right

Over the last several decades, we’ve seen a greater appreciation for the renovation of historic buildings as industrial changes over time have necessitated their adaptations into new uses. Adaptive reuse is a much more favorable option than tearing historic architecture down and starting a new build, for many reasons. One positive trend is possible when, during the process of peeling away drywall, plaster and other wall coverings, an incredibly beautiful masonry wall is discovered.

There are many reasons for keeping these walls exposed instead of tearing them down. In addition to being aesthetically stunning, exposed interior masonry can be less costly to keep rather than replace. The exposed masonry can also provide the benefit of performing as a thermal mass wall, storing solar heat energy. These masonry surfaces often lend themselves to picturesque settings, enhancing the authentic feel of a structure, especially in downtown or historic areas.

Interior-Masonry-Wall

However, over time, the sand and lime mortar binding them together can begin to break down and create a dusting issue when uncovered. This can cause major aesthetic and maintenance challenges and even health concerns. When the walls are first exposed, it’s not uncommon to see a 2-to-3-inch pile of lime and sand dust at the base of the wall, hard evidence of the erosion.

Hard Surface Care

Updated uses for historic spaces

Two restorations in Bridgeport, Conn., benefitted from a new dustproofer for interior brick without leaving a shine. Not everyone saw the potential in two completely run-down former factories in Bridgeport, Conn., a town situated at the mouth of the Pequonnock River on Long Island Sound, about 60 miles northeast of[…]

To keep this dust at bay, these masonry walls require dustproofing and protection. The objective is to consolidate the dust and prevent further dust generation while maintaining the walls’ natural ability to breathe, preventing moisture from begin trapped inside. Some contractors might choose an epoxy sealer for this task. However, when epoxy or other film-forming sealers are sprayed onto the walls, they create a shiny finish that can actually detract from the historic look of the masonry—making it look like a cheap, modern-day substitute. Although there are sealers that provide the preferred “aged” matte finish inherent in historic masonry walls, their downside is that they don’t allow the wall to breathe—and trapping water in the walls is a virtual petri dish for efflorescence, mold and other water intrusion issues.

PROSOCO Interior Masonry Dustproofer application

Breaking through the downsides

Designed specifically to solve these challenges, PROSOCO’s unique Interior Masonry Dustproofer is the only product of its class to prevent further dusting of exposed interior masonry surfaces while also leaving a natural matte finish and simplifying the long-term maintenance of interior masonry. In addition to drying to a clear, matte finish, Interior Masonry Dustproofer does not yellow and helps to control efflorescence, mildew and other moisture-related stains. Treated surfaces “breathe” as they did naturally prior to application, rather than trap moisture.

Easy Application

Ready-to-use Interior Masonry Dustproofer is simple to apply. It requires a single application to achieve dustproofing while maintaining the surface’s natural appearance. The product can be sprayed, brushed or rolled on and retains the wall’s natural performance properties.

Preparation involves a broom or vacuum to remove cobwebs, dirt, and loosely bound dust from the surface. No deep cleaning is necessary. Surfaces should be clean, dry, absorbent and free of debris.

Credentials Matter

Anything that deteriorates a building’s indoor air quality or occupant health is a hazard. PROSOCO’s Interior Masonry Dustproofer meets third-party standards for indoor air quality, and also does not contain any of the International Living Future Institute’s “Red List” of chemicals that are known to harm human health and the environment. Low-odor, this product is also VOC-compliant with all national, state and district regulations.

Before-and-after-with-text

You don’t have to hide masonry walls or remove their beauty 

If you’re involved in retrofit, renovation or adaptive reuse projects, it is possible to keep that original wall and its historic look, while also eliminating the headaches and hassle of future erosion and maintenance problems.

The use of environmentally safe Interior Masonry Dustproofer on brick, mortar, natural stone and other porous masonry prevents further dusting, provides water resistance to the applied surface and yields a clear, matte finish while retaining the wall’s natural breathability properties and the environment’s air quality.

chevron-logo

Hard Surface Care

Updated uses for historic spaces

Two restorations in Bridgeport, Conn., benefitted from a new dustproofer for interior brick without leaving a shine. Not everyone saw the potential in two completely run-down former factories in Bridgeport, Conn., a town situated at the mouth of the Pequonnock River on Long Island Sound, about 60 miles northeast of[…]

Hard Surface Care

Cleaning and caring for clay brick v. CMU

Note: This article was originally published in the November 2021 issue of Masonry Magazine. While concrete masonry units (also known as CMU) and clay brick are two of the most commonly used masonry materials in construction, their chemical and structural makeup are not the same - meaning your cleaning and[…]

Hard Surface Care

Painting masonry – how to do it the right way

Painting brick or other masonry can be a great thing - it can help a building meet a desired aesthetic, provide UV resistance, reduce deterioration and make it easier to clean. But, like all things, there's a wrong way to do it, which increases the likelihood of call-backs and headaches[…]

Anchor Systems

How to install a helical Stitch-Tie (and what setting tool you’ll need)

The use of Stitch-Ties in existing buildings for retrofit applications is an economical and easy solution for masonry buildings with compromised or deteriorating facades. Often, a building's facade can be salvaged by repairing in place as opposed to removal and replacement of the distressed material. Restoring an existing wall or[…]

Concrete Flooring

The 411 on how to polish concrete – what you need to know

If you've decided to go with finished concrete floors in your home or commercial building, or maybe you're just concrete-curious, you're in good company. Finished concrete is a wonderful option for interior floors of all kinds. As a flooring topping, polished concrete is beautiful, durable, long-lasting, environmentally friendly and low-maintenance.[…]

Restoration

Incredible Makeovers For Decaying Buildings

There are countless reasons why a building goes into disrepair. Sometimes the construction is faulty, sometimes natural disasters cause damage, but most of the time they fall out of use or change ownership and get forgotten. It's a shame that every building isn't protected or preserved, but sometimes time just isn't kind to[…]