Services
Our team of craftspeople brings a disciplined blend of traditional methods and modern techniques to every project. Alongside our in-house crew, we collaborate with trusted contractors and specialists to ensure each project receives the expertise it requires.
Please see our projects page for examples of previous work.
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Windows & Doors
Windows and doors are a huge part of what makes an old building feel beautiful and welcoming. When they stick, rattle, or feel drafty, it’s frustrating—and it often seems like replacement is the only fix.
The truth is historic windows and doors were built to last and to be repaired. With the right attention, they can work smoothly, keep out the weather, and perform just as well as modern units.
Pairing them with storm windows or storm doors is one of the smartest investments you can make—they’re affordable, energy-efficient, and they help original windows last even longer.
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Energy Efficiency
Heritage Restoration is committed to preserving historic structures while enhancing their energy performance. Through energy panels (storm windows), calibrated insulation strategies, and precise air sealing, we improve efficiency without compromising historic fabric. Our team employs advanced diagnostic testing to identify the most effective, least invasive interventions.
Prior to construction, we perform a full building condition assessment that includes air infiltration analysis, air sealing evaluations, insulation feasibility studies, and additional diagnostic services. We also offer comprehensive energy efficiency upgrades, as well as sales and installation of renewable energy systems.
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Building Surveys
A Building Survey provides a comprehensive understanding of a building’s needs, from overall condition to specific areas of concern. HRI examines the operation of windows and doors, evaluates water management and drainage, and reviews the integrity of structural framing. Our approach combines hands-on investigation with visual, non-destructive methods to assess the building’s fabric and performance.
The survey is conducted by our team of specialists, with additional experts engaged when required. The final report is presented to the Owner and includes recommendations to help establish preservation goals, maintenance priorities, and realistic budgets for the stewardship of historic properties.
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Millwork
Old and historic buildings often require the reproduction of unique millwork—windows, doors, moldings, cabinetry, and other architectural details that define their character. These elements reflect the craftsmanship, tools, and design traditions of their time, and they are rarely available as standard, off-the-shelf products. Our woodworking shop can recreate or fabricate any wood feature your building needs.
Rhode Island’s architecture is exceptionally diverse, from first-period plank-frame windows to intricate door surrounds, mantles, and Victorian or early 20th-century profiles. Heritage Restoration documents these details carefully and produces accurate reproductions using a combination of traditional joinery, modern tooling, and custom-profile milling.
Whether replacing a single deteriorated component or fabricating new elements to match an entire room or façade, our goal is to blend new work seamlessly with the original fabric, preserving the building’s historic appearance and long-term durability.
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Interiors
A building’s interior is where its architectural history is most vividly expressed. Original moldings, staircases, mantles, wainscoting, flooring, and built-in features all contribute to a distinct sense of place and reveal the craft traditions of previous generations.
Many homeowners look to preserve this interior character while also incorporating upgrades to meet current standards of comfort, efficiency, and usability. Heritage Restoration specializes in identifying this balance. Our work respects the original design while providing sensitive retrofits—whether through selective restoration, matched reproduction of missing details, or thoughtful integration of new systems and finishes.
Our approach ensures that improvements are both functional and cohesive, retaining the integrity of the historic interior while supporting the needs of modern living.
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Exteriors
Proper exterior care is essential to a building’s integrity. The exterior envelope protects from the elements, manages moisture, and expresses the architectural style that defines its history. When well maintained, the entire structure performs better, lasts longer, and requires fewer costly repairs.
At Heritage Restoration, we apply the same philosophy to exterior work as we do to all of our services: use sound building science, respect original materials, and design improvements that endure. We offer a broad range of exterior services and collaborate closely with specialized subcontractors in roofing, masonry, metalwork, and gutters.
A properly detailed exterior can protect a building for a century or more. Whether we are repairing historic woodwork, improving water management, or restoring architectural details, our goal is to keep your building durable, functional, and true to its character.
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Kitchens & Bathrooms
Kitchens and bathrooms often see the most change over a home’s lifetime. Evolving needs, technologies, and design trends can leave these rooms feeling tired or out of sync with the rest of the house. Heritage Restoration creates updated spaces that respect the building’s character while improving daily function.
Using advanced design tools and high-quality materials, we craft kitchens and bathrooms that reflect your style, meet your budget, and harmonize with the architecture of your home
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Masonry
Masonry is incredibly long-lasting, but even the strongest stone or brickwork eventually needs attention. Heritage Restoration works with trusted masons who understand how older buildings are built and how to repair them correctly. During our assessment, we look for issues like sagging porches, cracked joints, or drafty foundations that may need structural or corrective work.
We coordinate with engineers and building inspectors to create a repair plan that uses the right mix of traditional methods—like lime plaster and mortar—and modern tools to keep your building solid and weather-tight.
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Finishes
Finishes play a critical role in the appearance and longevity of any restored element. Heritage Restoration’s team brings expertise in wood behavior, coatings, dyes, and stains to match the needs of each project. Our goal is to deliver finishes that age gracefully and protect the underlying craftsmanship.
In collaboration with our sister company, Sutherland Welles, we guide clients through selecting the right finish by considering environmental exposure, material compatibility, and personal style. This thoughtful approach ensures durable, beautiful results.
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Roofing & Flashing
New England’s climate places extraordinary stress on roofs. Extreme temperature swings, heavy snow loads, and rapid freeze–thaw cycles make roofing, flashing, and gutter design critical to a building’s long-term performance. A single roof can endure intense heat, deep cold, ice, and water within the span of a day.
Heritage Restoration partners with experienced roofing professionals who are familiar with historic structures and the nuances of proper detailing. Working with our team, they help ensure that every roofing project meets the demands of both the architecture and the environment.
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Framing Repairs
The frame of a building is essential, supporting every architectural element and everyone who lives within it. For that reason, it must be well constructed, stable, and carefully maintained. New England’s historic homes feature a wide range of framing traditions—timber framing, balloon framing, and early platform framing—each with its own strengths, vulnerabilities, and repair considerations.
Heritage Restoration evaluates these structures with an understanding of how they were originally built and how they have changed over time. Our team develops repair plans that combine traditional carpentry methods with modern techniques to create durable, compatible solutions. Whether reinforcing existing members, replacing deteriorated components, or addressing structural movement, our goal is to maintain the building’s integrity while preserving as much historic fabric as possible.
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Gutters and Water Management
Water is one of the greatest threats to historic buildings, and effective management is critical to preserving structural and architectural elements. Gutters, leaders, drainage planes, and site grading all play crucial roles in keeping a building dry and stable. In New England, where freeze–thaw cycles and heavy precipitation are routine, these systems must perform reliably.
Heritage Restoration assesses water movement around and through the building, identifying problems such as clogged gutters, inadequate discharge paths, failing drainage, or signs of moisture intrusion. Working with experienced subcontractors, we implement solutions that blend traditional detailing with modern materials, ensuring that the building remains protected for decades to come.
Book a Consultation
If you have an old building, we can help.