4230 Raleigh Street Construction Update: Brick is almost done

Things are moving fast and furious over at 4230 Raleigh Street. After two major weather events and some labor shortage issues we are finally wrapping up the exterior masonry. The crew should have the finishing touches done by end of this week and we can finally get the front porch framed, roofed and painted.

We are using Robinson Brick as they are local and have a reputation for quality as well as some of the more historically accurate brick available.

There is a horizontal relief consisting of two bands of brick that takes place below both the first and second floor windows. This adds visual interest and is more in line with the look of the original Denver Squares of the area vs. going with a soldier course (a line of bricks laid vertically but flush with the remaining courses of brick) that many of the newer brick homes have.

Here is a shot of the front corner of the home showing the brick ties and first few courses in place. The brick ties are what secures the masonry to the home. The mortar between courses of brick is applied thick enough at the brick ties so that it actually encases the tie and provides a means of connection to the home’s sheathing.

Here is a close up of the corner showing the ties and the mortar engaging them. While this may seem like a minimal point of connection, the masonry is connected quite strongly to itself between the ties and when you combine all the brick ties throughout a wall the connection is quite secure.

The front is wrapped up and the crew is moving on to the sides of the home.

With the north side complete and the south side wrapping up, the home is starting to come together from the curb. Once the scaffolding is removed and the front porch is framed the home’s final form will finally be on display. From the start we felt the extra cost of the exterior brick would set the home apart but seeing it in person it has exceeded our expectations. While the architecture of the home is far from ornate, the difference in feel is very distinct with the brick vs. some other new builds clad in siding or stucco.