This page is about Chester Borough, the small town at the center of the area, not the surrounding countryside. That larger area is Chester Township, a separate municipality with its own building department.
The borough is compact and walkable, with a historic Main Street of shops and restaurants in older buildings, and residential streets of farmhouses, Victorians and later homes around it. Many of the oldest houses sit on fieldstone foundations, and much of the masonry in town has been patched many times over the years. Projects here are less about building something new and more about repairing what is there in a way that looks right.
Fieldstone foundations and old mortar
Rubble stone foundations are tough, but the mortar between the stones slowly turns to sand. When joints open up, water and pests get in and stones start to shift. We rake out loose mortar and repoint with a softer, lime based mix that moves with the stone. Our historic masonry restoration also covers stone steps, old chimneys and garden walls.
Repointing brick the right way
Hard modern mortar in old soft brick can make the brick crack and flake. Before we start repointing, we look at the existing brick and joints, match the color and profile, and only remove mortar that has failed.
Bluestone walks and front steps
Bluestone and brick suit a historic center far better than plain concrete. We lay curved or straight bluestone walks from the street to the door and rebuild steps with stone or brick risers and thick bluestone treads. For homes and shops on Main Street, we keep the look consistent with the buildings around them.
Things to plan around
- Historic review. Exterior work in the center of town may need review before a permit, so leave time for it.
- Matching materials. Old stone and brick can take time to source and match.
- Business access. Storefront jobs are staged so customers can still get in.
- Season. Lime mortar needs mild weather to cure well, so spring through fall is best.
Chester Borough sits inside Chester Township and near Mendham, and we serve all of Morris County. For a look at your foundation, walk or steps, book a free estimate.
