Stromberg GFRC Helps Preserve Historic Buildings

Old Parkland Hospital, Dallas, Texas

About Historical Preservation of Buildings

Historical preservation is one of the keys to our past.  It is restoring things to as close to the way they were when they were new as we can get.  Some additions or modifications may be made, but they  must not change the essential character of the building.

Standards for the Preservation of Historic Properties

The Secretary of the Interior is in charge of the National Registry of Historic Places, the gold standard for certifying a property worth saving.  He has specified four principles that are important in Historic Preservation:

• Preservation refers to conserving the existing structure.  This can be stabilizing a house or other building, doing routine maintenance of the building, and repair rather than extensive replacement of items in the building.
• Rehabilitation is making it possible to use a building by altering some characteristics.  This must be done in a manner that preserves the essential historical features.  For example, adding electricity to a home or building.
• Restoration is the principle we typically think of when we contemplate construction on a Historic Place.  This is removing parts that are not original and replacing any missing parts with replicas of the original so the building looks as it did when first constructed.  Stromberg Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete (GFRC) is a master at replicating damaged or lost parts for buildings that are being restored.
• Reconstruction is building a replica of a destroyed historic place for the purpose of showing the public what such a place was like.  There are many such places in the United States — often in National Parks.  Stromberg GFRC can duplicate most items a builder would require to replicate a building.

Features and Benefits of Stromberg Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete

• available in many different designs
• available in many textures, colors, and finishes
• nontoxic and fire resistant
• relatively lightweight
• able to be customized to suit your needs
• able be cast with light features in the item

Historic Properties using Stromberg GFRC

• Hershey Store, Times Square, NYC, NY
• Old Parkland Hospital, Dallas, TX
• Forsythe,  Savannah, GA

Specific Applications of GFRC in Historic Preservation

• GFRC can replicate terra cotta that has been damaged to allow restoration of the property
• GFRC can be cast into moldings to replace damaged or missing pieces in the building
• GFRC is proven safe and is accepted by most historical preservation experts

For More Information on Stromberg Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete

Professionals at Stromberg Architectural Products are waiting to assist you with your GFRC project. Stromberg offers design assistance, CAD details, and specifications. Visit www.strombergarchitectural.com for more information about landmarks in quality GFRC, or call (903) 454-0904. Stromberg is here to help, and the initial consultation is free.