Gadsden House 1798 – Final Completion of an Historic Restoration
As a young sailor home on shore leave, I once took my pet dog on a very long walk. I knew it had a beginning (morning) and an end (darkness) but the bit in between was indistinct and unplanned. Historic Restoration is a similar experience. It has a beginning and an intended result but in […]
Construction Guide: Platform & Balloon Frame Construction
Part II in our series “Construction Guide for Homebuyers ” In residential and commercial construction, after the foundation of a building is constructed or poured, the next step is framing the structure. Framing is the “fitting together of pieces to give a structure support and shape. ”
After The Flood Comes The Mold – This Is What You Need To Know
Have damp problems in your Charleston home? Then you have mold problems, also. Mold – that’s the black stuff that grows on walls and ceilings, that you find in the garage on old clothes and that makes closets smell musty. It discolors wall paper and ruins soft furnishings. These molds have been around since before mankind […]
What To Do After The Flood Subsides? Storm Recovery in Charleston, SC
Flood damage need not be as serious as it sounds, but catastrophic outcomes occur from factors that include the source of the water, the height of the inundation, and the time duration that the flood waters remain. Flooding from internal causes such as a pipe leakage is the easiest to deal with. Flooding as a result […]
Construction Guide for Homebuyers: Everything Rests on a Foundation
A foundation is used to support a building or structure and transmits loads directly to the underlying soil or rock. A house needs a foundation to shoulder its considerable weight, provide a flat and level base for construction and separate wood-based materials from contact with the ground, which would otherwise cause rot and allow for […]
Ultimate Guide to Building Terms: Charleston Property PART 2, A to B
Understanding all that goes into a construction project means starting with the basics, whether it be a renovation, a historic restoration in one of Charleston’s historic neighborhoods, or a custom-built Lowcountry home. A clear understanding of how the Architect and General Contractor do business, and the terms and phrases they use will help to improve your […]
Ultimate Guide to Building Terms: Charleston Property PART 1
Understanding all that goes into a construction project means starting with the basics, whether it be a renovation, a historic restoration in one of Charleston’s historic neighborhoods, or a custom-built Lowcountry home. A clear understanding of how the Architect and General Contractor do business and the terms and phrases they use will help to improve your […]
Lime Plaster: the Gadsden House & Historic Charleston Restoration
Lime – Wonderful stuff if you ask me. Use it as mortar, as wall plaster, or to form intricate moldings and decorations. It breathes, moves, often heals its own cracks, and does not encourage mold growth. The Gadsden House was built utilizing lime and as we move through the renovation process we are using it extensively.
Restoration tips from Gadsden House & Historic Charleston Real Estate
One of our specialities is historic renovation of mainly large downtown Charleston properties. This work is not for the faint-hearted and generally involve a strip-out down to the studs and removal of every dubious improvement made over the last 50 years or so. There are some lessons we have learned along the way that we’ll […]
Micro House – affordable Key Worker housing in downtown Charleston
Our second micro house design is now nearing completion. We found a plot noted as an “X ” zone on the flood map, high ground just off Line Street. We have spoken with the Elliotborough neighborhood committee and happily also gained their backing for the build. Explain a good idea in clear terms, listen to the […]
