The decorative crown molding of a brownstone—the cornice—is one of its most defining architectural features. For homeowners in historic districts like Cobble Hill and Park Slope, preserving these details is key to maintaining a building’s character and value. Often, the first signs of distress are peeling paint, cracking, or visible rot, requiring a comprehensive process of scraping, repair, and repainting.
A cornice isn’t just decoration—it’s your building’s first line of defense against the elements. When it fails, the consequences can be severe:
- Water Damage: A damaged cornice allows water to seep behind the facade, causing interior leaks, wood rot, and compromising structural framing
- Aesthetic & Property Value: A crumbling, peeling cornice detracts from your home's curb appeal. A full restoration often yields a high return on investment.
- Preventing Costly Violations: Neglect can lead to falling debris, prompting costly emergency scaffolding and violation orders from the NYC Department of Buildings
We combine historic craftsmanship with modern building science. Our process is meticulous, designed to revive your cornice while ensuring it lasts for decades. Here’s what we do:
- Inspection & Scaffolding Setup: We start with a thorough inspection to assess the damage and water sources. For safety and access, we set up professional scaffolding or a cherry picker. Any work involving construction or repairs above 40 feet requires a protective system, and a sidewalk shed is mandatory when there is any risk of falling debris
- Scraping & Preparation: This is the most critical step. Our team carefully hand-scrapes loose paint, dirt, and failing coatings to create a clean, sound surface, taking care not to damage the historic fabric beneath.
- Structural & Decorative Repair: Using historically appropriate materials, we repair what's damaged.
- Wood: Rot is cut out, treated with epoxy consolidators, and rebuilt using rot-resistant cedar or mahogany.
- Metal: For galvanized or copper cornices, we remove rust, weld new sections, and re-create decorative stamped panels using traditional techniques.
- Brownstone: We use mineral-based repair mortars for spalling or flaking stone, maintaining a breathable seal
- Priming & Repainting: After repairs, we apply a high-quality 100% acrylic primer, followed by two topcoats of premium exterior paint, such as Benjamin Moore Aura or Sherwin-Williams Duration. These paints offer exceptional flexibility, color retention, and UV resistance to withstand NYC's freeze-thaw cycles
Our team has over 20 years of experience working specifically in Brooklyn’s most cherished historic districts. We understand the unique architectural nuances—from the iconic Italianate brownstones with their projecting bracketed cornices, to the intricate incised details of Neo-Grec designs. We also have extensive experience working within LPC (Landmarks Preservation Commission) guidelines, ensuring every project is compliant.
If your home is in a historic district, you need to work with the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC). Here are the general rules:
- No Permit Usually Required: Routine repairs that do not alter the appearance of the building, such as repainting a cornice the exact same color, typically do not require LPC approval
- Permit Often Required: Replacing a cornice entirely, significantly altering its profile, or changing its color will require a Permit for Minor Work (PMW) or a Certificate of Appropriateness (CofA)
- Structural & Decorative Repair: Using historically appropriate materials, we repair what's damaged.
- Wood: Rot is cut out, treated with epoxy consolidators, and rebuilt using rot-resistant cedar or mahogany.
- Metal: For galvanized or copper cornices, we remove rust, weld new sections, and re-create decorative stamped panels using traditional techniques.
- Brownstone: We use mineral-based repair mortars for spalling or flaking stone, maintaining a breathable seal
- Priming & Repainting: After repairs, we apply a high-quality 100% acrylic primer, followed by two topcoats of premium exterior paint, such as Benjamin Moore Aura or Sherwin-Williams Duration. These paints offer exceptional flexibility, color retention, and UV resistance to withstand NYC's freeze-thaw cycles
