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Old Jefferson Courthouse

The Tradesmen Group, Inc, was selected to replace the copper roof on The Old Jefferson County Courthouse in the heart of downtown St. Louis MO. The Old Courthouse is part of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial National Park operated by The National Park Service.

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Old Jefferson Courthouse Copper Roofing

Melissa West, founder and president of The Tradesmen Group, Inc. has a passion for preservation, restoration and rehabilitation of our country’s great historic buildings. These time-honored structures are representative of who we are as individuals, communities and as a country. Restoring and preserving our historic buildings renews life in tangible elements of our history that transcend time. Built with ingenuity, hard work and dedication by our ancestors, these structures are a link to our past and what defines us today as a culture and a people.

Whether it is your grandfather’s old house, the school you attended as a child, the university hall where you met your spouse, the church where you were married, or the hospital where your children were born, we all find our lives intertwined with great historic buildings of our past. It is our responsibility to care for and maintain our historic structures to the highest standards possible so that generations to come can enjoy, marvel at, and benefit from our incredible historic buildings.

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TTG Offers

Historical Building Restoration
Consulting Services
Project Management
Design/build Services
Building Evaluation
Structural Analysis
Equal Employment Opportunity
Drug Free Workplace

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Historical Building Restoration

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Consulting Services

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Project Management

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Design/build Services

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Building Evaluation

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Structural Analysis

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Equal Employment Opportunity

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Drug Free Workplace

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Services

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Ornamental Sheet Metal

To replicate the ornamentation of these grand historical structures is a task that has faded with the times. Our artisans have mastered the techniques used to duplicate each curve and line through careful research and attention to the tiniest design detail. The preservation of the historic integrity of each structure is often captured in the replication of the time honored craft of ornamental sheet metal fabrication.

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Roofing

A roof imparts much of the historical significance and character of a building. Our roofing restoration specialists include skilled craftsmen in tile, slate, metal, shingle, and rubber roofing. The character of a roof is in its details of design, shape, size, and profile which can be historically duplicated to maintain the historical integrity of the structure. This attention to detail is a vital part of the restoration strategy provided before construction.

The Tradesmen Group, Inc. is a proud member of The National Slate Association.

Click here to view our member profile slateassociation.org

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Tuckpointing & Masonry Restoration

Masonry restoration breaths life into a building by strengthening the integrity of the facade while restoring a structure to its original beauty. Removing deteriorated mortar joints and replacing these mortar joints is the process known as retuckpointing. Preservationists are not only concerned with the formulas used in the restoration of mortar joints but also the process by which the joints are restored. Improper mortar formulas can cause cracking or spalling of the surrounding masonry. Improper techniques in the removal process can do irreparable damage to brick and stone units surrounding the joints. Improper tooling can cause an efflorescent and poorly matched style of joint. It is important to employ experienced preservation specialists to achieve the desired visual beauty while restoring the physical integrity of the masonry.

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Stone Repair & Replacement

Stone masons specializing in historical building restoration are equivalent to artisans as relates to ornamental sheet metal restoration. It is often truly an art form. Historical Monuments often boast elaborate decorative stone units carved hundreds of years ago by stone cutters. This intricate work is often too expensive to replicate today. Through the use of Jahn Mortar as manufactured by Cathedral Stone, we are able to repair stones that are not economically feasible to replace today. Stone replacement when required do to the level of deterioration is also part of our list of specialized services.

The Tradesmen Group, Inc. is a proud member of the Indiana Limestone Institute of America.

Click here to view our member profile iliai.com

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Wood Restoration

These grand historical monuments often boast intricate woodworking. To restore these features one must preserve the look and integrity of the woodworking design. Architectural woodwork is an integral part of the building's significance.

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Weather Proofing & Consolidation

Weather proofing products protect masonry surfaces from the eroding effects of weather. Consolidates help restore deteriorated masonry units and strengthen these units thus avoiding the need for costly replacements. We provide the skilled masons to work with such products to preserve masonry surfaces. As restoration specialists we are familiar with such products and its application. Improperly applied, weather proofing and consolidate products can do irreparable damage to a building façade.

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Tower & Steeple Repair

Often times steeples built in the 1800’s go unimproved until in dire need of repair. We have the expertise to stabilize decaying steeples allowing for restoration to its full beauty. Stabilization includes improving the structural integrity by strengthening and adding structural elements to the interior cavity of the steeple. Once stabilized, the steeples are able to be restored.

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Building Cleaning

Research and analysis is the key component to determine the best methods to remove the effects of time from historical buildings. There are many ways to clean a historical monument, yet oftentimes only one right way. Improper techniques can take decades of life from these grand structures. Only after intense analysis of the surface type and evaluation of the best products for the specific application should seasoned professionals begin a cleaning process. An exact formula producing the desired results without damage to the masonry surface should be maintained for each structure. Whether it be building cleaning, masonry restoration, decorative ornamental design or re-roofing, the utmost care, precision and attention to detail is required in the field of Historic Preservation.

We provide the experienced craftsmen and artisans who have mastered the art of preservation to ensure the existence of Historical Buildings for centuries.

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Gold Leafing

Gold Leaf is made of pure gold, silver and copper. For thousands of years gold leaf has been applied to exterior ornamentation. There is no other coating comparable to this process for beauty, luster and durability. Applied correctly, guilded surfaces should retain its original beauty for 20-25 years. You can find the enduring radiance of gold leaf on religious edificies, public buildings and other historically significant structures.

Our company studio is known for its attention to even the smallest of design detail, meticulous preperation of each restored surface and flawless execution of the guilding process.

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Plaster Repair & Restoration

Historic plaster is one of the most prominent features of a historic structure. Restoring historic plaster begins with understanding the root causes of deterioration and fatigue. Most commonly deterioration results from exposure to moisture from failing roofs, masonry, or other exterior building components. Aging lathe loosing bond with plaster keys is a common problem that results in cracking, sagging and displaced plaster. Plaster is also adversely effected by structural problems within the building resulting in cracks, loose and displaced plaster. Before historic plaster can be properly repaired the causes of the deterioration or fatigue must be adequately resolved.

Once the causes of deterioration or fatigue are corrected it is essential to evaluate the extent of deterioration and develop a comprehensive plan for repairing and stabilizing historic plaster. Plans for repair should include use of same or similar materials to match original and achieve a uniform fabric consistent with the original structure. In instances where ornamental plaster is damaged it is essential to reproduce original profiles and seamlessly match existing conditions. Plaster stabilization often requires use of contemporary adhesives to re-secure plaster to original lathe.

TTG understands the many complexities of plaster restoration and can provide consultation or full service plaster restoration services.

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Structural Repairs

Structural stabilization is often an essential part of preserving historic buildings or structures. When structural elements on a historic building or structure age, deteriorate or fatigue stabilization is required to avoid further damage or potential collapse. Structural stabilization is often required in our historic buildings because of one or several of the following factors: 1) The structure was built before modern building codes and does not meet current code requirements and is therefore deemed unsafe; 2) A portion of the structure has deteriorated or been damaged by excessive moisture infiltration and requires shoring or replacement of structural components to avoid further damage or collapse; 3) The structure has suffered damage from foundation settlement, wind or other natural forces such as earthquakes.

Structural stabilization of historic buildings requires exceptional understanding of the original construction, use of materials and methods of temporary shoring. TTG is uniquely experienced in structural stabilization and can provide full structural stabilization services for masonry, wood and steel structures.

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Stone Dutchman Repair

TTG has extensive experience with Dutchman repair of stone, including sandstone, limestone and granite. The most sophisticated Dutchman repair we have completed was for GSA at the Ashley U.S. Courthouse in Toledo OH. The project repaired severely damaged fluted sandstone columns on the east and west elevations.

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