Villa Park has a lot of the classic Chicago-area brick bungalow, mostly built in the 1920s, alongside postwar ranches and Cape Cods.
On the bungalows, three things come up over and over.
First, mortar age. Century-old lime mortar has done its job and is due. It needs repointing with a compatible soft mix, not a modern hard one.
Second, limestone sills. Original sills on these homes take standing water and road salt, and many have lost their pitch so water now runs back toward the window rather than away from it. Most can be patched or repaired with a dutchman rather than replaced entirely.
Third, front steps. Original bungalow steps have taken ninety winters of salt and freeze-thaw. They are frequently the most deteriorated masonry on the property and, with uneven risers and loose railings, the least safe.
On the postwar stock the work is more routine: repointing, chimney crowns, and caulking that has gone hard.
What we typically see in Villa Park
- 1920s brick bungalows, many with original limestone sills
- Postwar ranches and Cape Cods from the 1940s and 50s
- Mixed brick and frame construction
- Original front steps and stoops that are now well past their service life
Services we offer in Villa Park
Tuckpointing & Repointing
Cut out failing mortar, repoint with a color-matched mix, stop the water.
Learn moreBrick & Masonry Repair
Spalled brick swapped out, cracks tracked to the cause, walls rebuilt when they need it.
Learn moreChimney Repair & Rebuilds
Crowns, flashing, and full rebuilds from the roofline up. The wettest, hardest-working masonry on the house.
Learn moreCaulking & Sealant Replacement
The cheapest water-intrusion fix there is, and the one most often skipped.
Learn morePatio, Paver & Walkway Rebuilds
Sunken, heaved and pitched-the-wrong-way hardscape, taken up and relaid on a proper base.
Learn moreLintel Replacement
Rusting steel above your windows expands with real force. Cracked brick above an opening usually starts here.
Learn moreStep & Stoop Rebuilds
The first thing every visitor touches, and usually the most weather-beaten masonry on the property.
Learn moreStone & Limestone Restoration
Greystone facades, limestone sills and stone trim, repaired with materials that will not harm the stone.
Learn moreMasonry Cleaning & Power Washing
Pressure and chemistry matched to the material. Brick is easy to clean and easy to ruin.
Learn moreMasonry Waterproofing
Keep water out of the wall without sealing moisture inside it. The distinction matters a great deal.
Learn moreNeighborhoods we cover
- Ardmore
- Villa Avenue corridor
- Jefferson Park area
- Lufkin Park neighborhoods
- North End
Common questions
Do you rebuild front steps in Villa Park?
Frequently. A lot of the bungalows here still have their original steps, and after 90 winters of salt and freeze-thaw they are usually the most deteriorated masonry on the property.
What mortar do you use on the older bungalows?
A softer lime-based mix, matched to the original. It matters a great deal on 1920s brick.