Platform on new construction, renovation, restoration and transformation
The facades of the homes in the Hollander neighborhood look like new again. The old grouting has been removed, the bricks have been cleaned and new grouting has been applied in the ‘old’ style. “That is the beauty of our profession,” says Johannes Douwenga, director/owner of facade renovation and pointing company Douwenga. “We perform sight work. Thanks to our work, the houses become sleek and fresh again and regain their original allure.”
Preparations for the restoration work in Hollander neighborhood were intensive. The old joints contained lime, which made it difficult to remove. After that, it was mostly rewarding work. “We fitted all the monumental facades with cutting joints,” Douwenga says. “It takes a lot of craftsmanship to apply this masonry technique, obviously with the accompanying authentic materials. We are therefore proud to have several craftsmen in house who have mastered this technique. The later added storage rooms and annexes are not under Monument Conservation. Here the masonry is ‘flat-faced’.”
Meanwhile, the work is all but finished. Only the grouting of the end walls is still on hold for a while because of the swallow nests present. “We have plugged up the nests in the hope that the swallows will seek shelter elsewhere. Once they have left, we will restore the end walls as well.”
Renovation of pointing and masonry is just one of the services provided by facade renovation and pointing company Douwenga. The company also repairs cracks, applies rebar if needed, replaces chimneys and removes graffiti. “We provide a total package. When we leave a project, the facades are back to normal and our customer has nothing to worry about.”
