condominium – Copeland Building Envelope Consulting

Brick Veneer Cracking

March 31, 2022April 19, 2022Sean Maiden, P.E.

Brick veneer cracking is one of the most common brick veneer problems we encounter, with cracking often associated with either insufficient or poorly located veneer expansion joints. Brick, like many other construction materials, expand and/or contract with changes in temperature and humidity though brick masonry will typically expand overall during its service life.

Building Envelope Repairs at James Landing Condominiums

May 30, 2021May 30, 2021Matt

James Landing Condominiums in Scituate, MA is a waterfront property with 50 units spread across 5 architect-designed buildings. The setting is pristine, overlooking the North River as it winds towards the Atlantic, but exposes the buildings to punishing weather. Over the years nature had taken its toll and over the course of 2020-2021 the association embarked on a large-scale project to repair the aging building envelope systems.

New Steel at Gateway

May 12, 2021November 17, 2021Matt

Our balcony column restoration project is coming along nicely at Gateway Condominiums in Beverly, MA. Lawton Welding is on site today installing new structural steel columns on the south side of the north building.

New steel column being craned into position.

How to Make Vinyl Siding Look Good

January 20, 2021February 5, 2021Matt

Let’s face it: vinyl siding often looks bad. At its worst, vinyl siding can appear cheap and impermanent. Because of this, it has developed a bad reputation with a lot of people, and they reflexively try to avoid it.

But vinyl siding has many benefits. It is relatively inexpensive to install, easy to maintain and easy to repair. It’s durable and comes in a wide variety of colors.

Vinyl siding is definitely not appropriate for all cladding applications. But for many homeowners, condominium trustees, and facilities managers vinyl siding can fill a need for a high-value, long-lasting easy-to-maintain wall cladding material.

If vinyl siding makes sense for your project in every way except for how it looks, then this post is for you. Over the course of several successful projects I’ve learned how to make vinyl siding look good. Now I’m going to share those tips and tricks with you.

Project Spotlight: Gateway Condominiums Masonry Repairs

November 10, 2020April 11, 2021Matt

The North Building at Gateway Condominiums in Beverly, MA has suffered from masonry deterioration at balcony columns since shortly after its original construction. The brick columns have exhibited widespread cracking and spalling, creating a maintenance problem as well as a potential safety concern.