Preservation Briefs

The “How To” of preserving, restoring, and rehabilitating historic buildings

The National Park Service have created a series of Preservation Briefs to help provide information on preserving, rehabilitating, and restoring historic buildings. These Publications help historic building owners recognize and resolve common problems BEFORE work begins.

These 50 Briefs are particularly beneficial to those using the Historic Preservation Tax Incentives Program because they recommend methods and approaches for rehabilitating historic buildings that are consistent with their historic character.

  1. Cleaning and Water-Repellent Treatments for Historic Masonry Buildings

  2. Repointing Mortar Joints in Historic Masonry Buildings

  3. Improving Energy Efficiency in Historic Buildings

  4. Roofing for Historic Buildings

  5. The Preservation of Historic Adobe Buildings

  6. Dangers of Abrasive Cleaning to Historic Buildings

  7. The Preservation of Historic Glazed Architectural Terra-Cotta

  8. Aluminum and Vinyl Siding on Historic Buildings: The Appropriateness of Substitute Materials for Resurfacing Historic Wood Frame Buildings

  9. The Repair of Historic Wooden Windows

  10. Exterior Paint Problems on Historic Woodwork

  11. Rehabilitating Historic Storefronts

  12. The Preservation of Historic Pigmented Structural Glass(Vitrolite and Carrara Glass)

  13. The Repair and Thermal Upgrading of Historic Steel Windows

  14. New Exterior Additions to Historic Buildings: Preservation Concerns

  15. Preservation of Historic Concrete

  16. The Use of Substitute Materials on Historic Building Exteriors

  17. Architectural Character—Identifying the Visual Aspects of Historic Buildings as an Aid to Preserving their Character

  18. Rehabilitating Interiors in Historic Buildings—Identifying Character-Defining Elements

  19. The Repair and Replacement of Historic Wooden Shingle Roofs

  20. The Preservation of Historic Barns

  21. Repairing Historic Flat Plaster—Walls and Ceilings

  22. The Preservation and Repair of Historic Stucco

  23. Preserving Historic Ornamental Plaster

  24. Heating, Ventilating, and Cooling Historic Buildings: Problems and Recommended Approaches

  25. The Preservation of Historic Signs

  26. The Preservation and Repair of Historic Log Buildings

  27. The Maintenance and Repair of Architectural Cast Iron

  28. Painting Historic Interiors

  29. The Repair, Replacement, and Maintenance of Historic Slate Roofs

  30. The Preservation and Repair of Historic Clay Tile Roofs

  31. Mothballing Historic Buildings

  32. Making Historic Properties Accessible

  33. The Preservation and Repair of Historic Stained and Leaded Glass

  34. Applied Decoration for Historic Interiors: Preserving Historic Composition Ornament

  35. Understanding Old Buildings: The Process of Architectural Investigation

  36. Protecting Cultural Landscapes: Planning, Treatment and Management of Historic Landscapes

  37. Appropriate Methods of Reducing Lead-Paint Hazards in Historic Housing

  38. Removing Graffiti from Historic Masonry

  39. Holding the Line: Controlling Unwanted Moisture in Historic Buildings

  40. Preserving Historic Ceramic Tile Floors

  41. The Seismic Rehabilitation of Historic Buildings

  42. The Maintenance, Repair and Replacement of Historic Cast Stone

  43. The Preparation and Use of Historic Structure Reports

  44. The Use of Awnings on Historic Buildings: Repair, Replacement and New Design

  45. Preserving Historic Wooden Porches

  46. The Preservation and Reuse of Historic Gas Stations

  47. Maintaining the Exterior of Small and Medium Size Historic Buildings

  48. Preserving Grave Markers in Historic Cemeteries

  49. Historic Decorative Metal Ceilings and Walls: Use, Repair, and Replacement

  50. Lightning Protection for Historic Buildings

The information above provided by the National Park Service