Hempcrete is an ideal infill for additions, remodels, retrofits, and new construction. Join us for a 2-day workshop to learn the basics of building with hempcrete. The difference is in the walls.
October 24th-25th, 2019; 8:00 to 3:00 pm.
Call 215-536-1776 for more information.
Preserve your architectural heritage, and put your pieces of history back to work. Join us for a 1-day or 2-day workshop to restore vintage wood windows with our preservation specialist.
November 20th, 2019; 8:00 am to 2:30 pm.
OR
November 21st-22nd, 2019; 8:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Call 215-536-1776 for more information.
Picture your favorite historic building, then imagine it returned to full glory. Join us for a 2-day workshop to learn the skills you need bring new life to old stone and brick using Lithomex surface repair mortar.
February 14th-15th, 2019; 8:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Call 215-536-1776 for more information.
Breathe new life into deteriorating mortar joints. Learn the art of repointing using lime mortar to repair, retain, and maintain the beauty and elegance of your architectural heritage.
February 1st, 2019.
Call 215-536-1776 for more information.
Elevate the level of your craftsmanship by learning the techniques needed to simulate distinctive joint profiles such as ribbon, weathered ridge, beaded, and/or grapevine repointing.
February 1st, 2019.
Call 215-536-1776 for more information.
Learn preservation practices to keep gravestones and monuments from deteriorating further; understand the significance of original materials and details; and recognize how to stabilize, repair, and retain features wherever possible to ensure their safekeeping for future generations.
August 2nd, 2019.
Call 215-536-1776 for more information.
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The decision to repoint a masonry structure is most often related to some obvious sign of deterioration, such as disintegrating mortar, cracks in mortar joints, loose bricks or stones, or damp walls. On the surface, restoration projects may appear straight forward and intuitive, but there’s no substitute for skill and experience. Good repointing practices guarantee the long life of the mortar joint, the wall, and the historic structure. This hands-on workshop introduces the basic principles and work practices needed to repoint vintage brick and/or stone structures using breathable lime mortar supplied by LimeWorks.us. The lecture, demonstrations, and hands-on exercises cover the properties of natural hydraulic lime mortars; tips for selecting and mixing lime mortars; and cleaning, filling, repointing, and tooling certain mortar joints. Under the guidance of experienced masons from LimeWorks.us, participants will practice the skills on mock-up panels or historic structures undergoing restoration at our facility. Prior masonry experience is not required.
After completing the workshop participants will:
The workshop will be held at the historic Millhafen Farm—the headquarters of Craftwork Training Center and LimeWorks.us—located at 3145 State Road, Telford, PA 18969. A nonrefundable deposit of $100 is required two weeks in advance with the balance due at the beginning of the workshop. All the necessary materials and tools will be supplied and a light lunch is provided for your convenience. The program will start promptly at 8:00 am. Please arrive 15 minutes early to complete the check-in process and come appropriately dressed and prepared for hands-on training. To ensure an exceptional learning experience, the class size is limited. However, a minimum of 3 participants is required to hold the workshop.
Companies or organizations with 10 or more participants may qualify for a training program at their location. Call 215-536-1776 for details.
As the number of historic buildings continues to increase, so does the demand for masons who have the necessary skill and knowledge critical to the preservation of vintage structures. A skilled and exacting mason can match rebuilt sections of masonry to the original in terms of stone type and size; patterns of jointing and coursing; and mortar color, texture, and profile. Properly done, repointing restores the visual and physical integrity of the masonry. Improperly done, repointing not only detracts from the appearance of the building, but may also cause physical damage and decay to the stone or brick. The ultimate success and performance of the repairs depends upon the proper selection of materials and the quality of the work performed by the masons. This workshop is designed to elevate the level of craftsmanship of participants by introducing the techniques needed to simulate special joint profiles such as ribbon, weathered ridge, beaded, and/or grapevine repointing. Regardless of the type of mortar joint being installed, it is essential that existing joint profiles should be followed where encountered in historic restoration projects. The lecture, demonstrations, and hands-on exercises cover the properties of natural hydraulic lime, tips for selecting and mixing lime mortars, cleaning and filling joints, and consistently tooling and striking specialized mortar joint profiles. Under the guidance of experienced masons from LimeWorks.us, participants will practice the skills on mock-up panels. The additional knowledge and skills may also enable attendees to cultivate a competitive edge in the growing preservation field. The difference is in the details. Prior masonry experience is helpful but not required.
After completing the workshop participants will:
The workshop will be held at the historic Millhafen Farm—the headquarters of Craftwork Training Center and LimeWorks.us—located at 3145 State Road, Telford, PA 18969. A nonrefundable deposit of $100 is required two weeks in advance with the balance due at the beginning of the workshop. All the necessary materials and tools will be supplied and a light lunch is provided for your convenience. The program will start promptly at 8:00 am. Please arrive 15 minutes early to complete the check-in process and come appropriately dressed and prepared for hands-on training. To ensure an exceptional learning experience, the class size is limited. However, a minimum of 3 participants is required to hold the workshop.
While cemeteries are often considered to be perpetual, their most prominent feature, the grave markers, are not. Additionally, deferred maintenance usually accelerates the deterioration of gravestones and monuments which can result in safety hazards. Our preservation practices attempt to keep gravestones and monuments from deteriorating further; respect the significance of original materials and details; and stabilize, repair, and retain features wherever possible to ensure their safekeeping for future generations. To understand basic preservation and stabilization measures, participants will be introduced to the LimeWorks.us Graveyard Kit and practice working with a combination of the products. The lecture, demonstrations, and hands-on exercises review the steps to prepare a natural field-mixed glue to repair small, broken stone elements; using Waterglass to consolidate friable masonry; and choosing the appropriate products and techniques to patch, repair, and clean sensitive stones effectively without causing damage. Students are also encouraged to document any work they perform in the field. Prior masonry experience is helpful but not required.
After completing the workshop participants will:
The workshop will be held at the historic Millhafen Farm—the headquarters of Craftwork Training Center and LimeWorks.us—located at 3145 State Road, Telford, PA 18969. A nonrefundable deposit of $100 is required two weeks in advance with the balance due at the beginning of the workshop. All the necessary materials and tools will be supplied and a light lunch is provided for your convenience. The program will start promptly at 8:00 am. Please arrive 15 minutes early to complete the check-in process and come appropriately dressed and prepared for hands-on training. To ensure an exceptional learning experience, the class size is limited. However, a minimum of 3 participants is required to hold the workshop.
Companies or organizations with 10 or more participants may qualify for a training program at their location. Call 215-536-1776 for details.
A versatile building material, plaster was traditionally used as a protective and decorative coating for walls and ceilings. Plaster is much harder than drywall, creates a more durable wall surface, and is more adaptable for specialty design features like archways and curves. While original plaster work is a desirable asset to any period home, it may require maintenance and repairs to retain its elegance. Our workshop lecture, demonstrations, and hands-on exercises introduce the benefits of lime-based plaster, basic surface preparation, and simple methods for performing minor repairs to vintage plaster walls. Under the guidance of experienced masons, students will apply a scratch coat over wood lath panels, making sure proper adhesion and sufficiently filled keys are achieved. Then, they’ll work with TAKCOAT™ and TOPCOAT™—specially formulated lime plaster from LimeWorks.us designed for resurfacing, restoring, and repairing existing plaster walls. Practicing on mock-up surfaces, participants will learn how to hold a trowel at the proper angle and use sufficient pressure to apply a transitional bonding layer of TAKCOAT™ followed by skimming on TOPCOAT™ and working it to achieve a smooth final finish. The registration fee also includes a link to download The Master Stroke–Applying Lime Plaster digital tutorial. Prior masonry experience is helpful but not required.
After completing the workshop participants will:
The workshop will be held at the historic Millhafen Farm—the headquarters of Craftwork Training Center and LimeWorks.us—located at 3145 State Road, Telford, PA 18969. A nonrefundable deposit of $100 is required two weeks in advance with the balance due at the beginning of the workshop. All the necessary materials and tools will be supplied and a light lunch is provided for your convenience. The program will start promptly at 8:00 am. Please arrive 15 minutes early to complete the check-in process and come appropriately dressed and prepared for hands-on training. To ensure an exceptional learning experience, the class size is limited. However, a minimum of 3 participants is required to hold the workshop.
Among the most dramatic of ornamental plaster forms are ceiling medallions and enrichments. Typically, medallions related stylistically to the cornice ornament also found in the room and could be created with or without a plain-run surround. These decorative units were generally attached to the substrate using plaster as an adhesive. Damaged ceiling medallions can be repaired by carefully removing representative plaster ornamentation and molding, recasting the elements, and replacing the new enrichments to align perfectly with the original pattern. This workshop will introduce students to the basics of mold making and casting replicas. Hands-on demonstrations and practice exercises include design considerations and applications for new ornamental plaster work, creating negative-form molds, mixing and pouring plaster into a mold to form enrichments, and ensuring the cast surface is free of air pockets and blemishes. Participants are encouraged to bring an object (no larger than a fist) to create a mold and produce a cast. Prior masonry experience is helpful but not required.
After completing the workshop participants will:
The workshop will be held at the historic Millhafen Farm—the headquarters of Craftwork Training Center and LimeWorks.us—located at 3145 State Road, Telford, PA 18969. A nonrefundable deposit of $100 is required two weeks in advance with the balance due at the beginning of the workshop. All the necessary materials and tools will be supplied and a light lunch is provided for your convenience. The program will start promptly at 8:00 am. Please arrive 15 minutes early to complete the check-in process and come appropriately dressed and prepared for hands-on training. To ensure an exceptional learning experience, the class size is limited. However, a minimum of 3 participants is required to hold the workshop.
Rather than cutting out and replacing damaged or decaying brick and stone, impressive repairs can be achieved by using modern lime-based mortars. Lithomex is a state-of-the-art brick and stone resurfacing and repair material specifically designed to restore the profile, surface finish, texture, and color of the original masonry unit. This workshop will introduce participants to Lithomex and the basic techniques to achieve convincing and durable surface repairs for vintage masonry. The lecture, demonstrations, and hands-on exercises review the deterioration phenomenon, selecting repair methods and materials, and procedures to work with Lithomex. Under the guidance of experienced masons from the LimeWorks.us Technical Install Team, students will also have the opportunity to practice application techniques on mock-up surfaces or historic structures undergoing restoration at our facility. The additional knowledge and skills may enable attendees to cultivate a competitive edge in the growing restoration field. Prior masonry experience is helpful but not required.
After completing the workshop participants will:
The workshop will be held at the historic Millhafen Farm—the headquarters of Craftwork Training Center and LimeWorks.us—located at 3145 State Road, Telford, PA 18969. A nonrefundable deposit of $100 is required two weeks in advance with the balance due at the beginning of the workshop. All the necessary materials and tools will be supplied and a light lunch is provided for your convenience. The program will start promptly at 8:00 am. Please arrive 15 minutes early to complete the check-in process and come appropriately dressed and prepared for hands-on training. To ensure an exceptional learning experience, the class size is limited. However, a minimum of 3 participants is required to hold the workshop.
Lithomex is a modified lime-based mortar designed specifically to repair or simulate brick, stone, and terracotta surfaces. Unlike other products that trap moisture in the host stonework, Lithomex is flexible (with a very high modulus of elasticity), porous, and breathable; allowing water vapor to pass through the masonry to the atmosphere for long-lasting repairs. When applied by skilled craftsmen, Lithomex can simulate the color and texture of existing stone and brick while maintaining similar thermal expansion and weathering characteristics of the host material. Lithomex may be worked, tooled, dressed, and finished with traditional masonry tools, trowel edges, sculpting tools, sanding blocks, tungsten carbide abrasive sheet, and scratch floats. This comprehensive workshop will enable participants to go beyond the basics and learn techniques to hone their skills and elevate their craftsmanship. Technical knowledge and expertise are reinforced with lectures addressing the potential causes of brick and stone deterioration, design considerations, recognition of the aesthetic qualities of Lithomex, and understanding the properties that ensure compatibility with the host masonry. During handson demonstrations and extensive practice on mock-up surfaces, students are guided through the steps to apply the product properly and efficiently to deliver high quality work including carving details with small tools or chisels, tooling and finishing procedures, and color and texture simulation tips and techniques. Each student must successfully complete the hands-on skills and pass an end-of-class written exam to receive the Lithomex Installer Certification which is valid for 5 years. Prior masonry experience is required.
After completing the workshop participants will:
The workshop will be held at the historic Millhafen Farm—the headquarters of Craftwork Training Center and LimeWorks.us—located at 3145 State Road, Telford, PA 18969. A nonrefundable deposit of $100 is required two weeks in advance with the balance due at the beginning of the workshop. All the necessary materials and tools will be supplied and a light lunch is provided for your convenience. The program will start promptly at 8:00 am. Please arrive 15 minutes early to complete the check-in process and come appropriately dressed and prepared for hands-on training. To ensure an exceptional learning experience, the class size is limited. However, a minimum of 3 participants is required to hold the workshop.
Although generally considered permanent, masonry is subject to deterioration, especially at the mortar joints. Historically, lime mortar acted as a bedding material (similar to an expansion joint) instead of a glue for the masonry units so moisture was able to migrate through the joints rather than through the brick and stone. If the mortar does not permit moisture or vapor to migrate out of the wall and evaporate, the result will be accelerated damage to the brick and stone. Mortar that is stronger in compressive strength than the surrounding brick and stone will not be flexible; causing stresses to be relieved through the masonry units and leading to permanent damage to the brick and stone in the form of cracking and spalling. To prevent damage to vintage structures, the methods we support encourage the use of repointing mortars that are softer or more permeable than the surrounding brick and stone and no harder or more impermeable than the existing historic mortar. This hands-on workshop introduces the basic principles and work practices needed to repoint vintage brick and/or stone structures using breathable lime mortar supplied by LimeWorks.us. The lecture and demonstrations cover the properties of natural hydraulic lime mortars; tips for selecting and mixing lime mortars; and cleaning, filling, repointing, and tooling certain mortar joints. Then, the intense learn-by-doing opportunity lifts the bar for engagement and interactivity as participants work side-by-side with experienced masons from the LimeWorks.us Technical Install Team to practice the skills on historic structures undergoing restoration at our facility. Participants will gain an enhanced understanding of the built environment, greater appreciation of historic sites, and recognize the high level of craftsmanship that defines the masonry trade. If you’re a professional architect, pursuing a degree in historic preservation, or simply exploring your career options, this course will assist you in recognizing inappropriate, incompatible, and uncomplimentary repairs to historic masonry. Prior masonry experience is helpful but not required.
After completing the workshop participants will:
The workshop will be held at the historic Millhafen Farm—the headquarters of Craftwork Training Center and LimeWorks.us—located at 3145 State Road, Telford, PA 18969. A nonrefundable deposit of $100 is required two weeks in advance with the balance due at the beginning of the workshop. All the necessary materials and tools will be supplied and a light lunch is provided for your convenience. The program will start promptly at 8:00 am. Please arrive 15 minutes early to complete the check-in process and come appropriately dressed and prepared for hands-on training. To ensure an exceptional learning experience, the class size is limited. However, a minimum of 3 participants is required to hold the workshop.
Students studying historic preservation at Bucks County Community College may qualify for a discount. Call 215-536-1776 for details.
Hempcrete is a sustainable, mold-resistant, rot-resistant, pest-resistant, fire-resistant, carbon sequestering building material that provides optimal indoor air quality and energy efficiency. It’s an ideal infill for additions, remodels, retrofits, and new construction. This hands-on workshop introduces the basic principles and work practices needed to build with industrial hemp. The lecture, demonstrations, and hands-on exercises cover the benefits of hempcrete as a building material, proper mixing techniques, installing a hempcrete wall, and various functional and decorative finishes to coat hempcrete structures. Under the guidance of experienced masons from the LimeWorks.us Technical Install Team, participants will also have the opportunity to practice building hempcrete walls using chopped hemp hurd (the woody core of the hemp plant) mixed with lime binders provided by LimeWorks.us Prior masonry experience is helpful but not required.
After completing the workshop participants will:
The workshop will be held at the historic Millhafen Farm—the headquarters of Craftwork Training Center and LimeWorks.us—located at 3145 State Road, Telford, PA 18969. A nonrefundable deposit of $100 is required two weeks in advance with the balance due at the beginning of the workshop. All the necessary materials and tools will be supplied and a light lunch is provided for your convenience. The program will start promptly at 8:00 am. Please arrive 15 minutes early to complete the check-in process and come appropriately dressed and prepared for hands-on training. To ensure an exceptional learning experience, the class size is limited. However, a minimum of 3 participants is required to hold the workshop.
Old windows continue to be important to the mechanics of historic buildings as well as admirable architectural and woodworking achievements. A sash window or hung sash window is made of one or more movable panels or sashes that form a frame to hold panes of glass which are often separated by muntins. To facilitate operation, the weight of the glazed panel is usually balanced by a heavy steel, lead, or cast-iron sash weight or counter-weight concealed within the window frame. The sash weight is connected to the window by a braided cotton sash cord, or a chain, that runs over a pulley at the top of the frame. These older rope-and-pulley style windows are retained by trim that must be removed before the sash can be freed and parts of the window frame must be disassembled to repair a broken sash cord. During the workshop, participants will practice hands-on techniques to carefully remove window trim before lifting out a sash, disassemble parts of the window frame to access and repair broken sash cord, restring a sash, tie off the weights, open a stuck sash, and learn how to give old windows a thermal tune-up by adding weatherstripping. Well maintained historic windows can be airtight, weather resistant, and should last generations without needing replacement parts. Prior woodworking experience is helpful but not required.
After completing the workshop participants will:
The workshop will be held at the historic Millhafen Farm—the headquarters of Craftwork Training Center and LimeWorks.us— located at 3145 State Road, Telford, PA 18969. A nonrefundable deposit of $100 is required two weeks in advance with the balance due at the beginning of the workshop. All the necessary materials and tools will be supplied and a light lunch is provided for your convenience. The program will start promptly at 8:00 am. Please arrive 15 minutes early to complete the check-in process and come appropriately dressed and prepared for hands-on training. To ensure an exceptional learning experience, the class size is limited. However, a minimum of 3 participants is required to hold the workshop.
As one of the few parts of a facade serving as both an interior and exterior feature, windows are nearly always an important part of the vintage character of a building. In most structures, windows also comprise a considerable amount of the historic fabric of the wall plane. Wood windows which are repaired and properly maintained will have greatly extended service lives while contributing to the historic character of the edifice. Now, you can put your piece of history back to work with a little help and a lot of guidance from our preservation specialists. The methods we support encourage the retention and repair of original windows whenever possible using old-fashioned craftsmanship combined with modern know-how. During the workshop, participants will practice hands-on techniques to restore a wood sash from start to finish and review routine maintenance measures that may extend the life of historic windows. Prior woodworking experience is helpful but not required.
After completing the workshop participants will:
The workshop will be held at the historic Millhafen Farm—the headquarters of Craftwork Training Center and LimeWorks.us—located at 3145 State Road, Telford, PA 18969. A nonrefundable deposit of $100 is required two weeks in advance with the balance due at the beginning of the workshop. All the necessary materials and tools will be supplied and a light lunch is provided for your convenience. The program will start promptly at 8:00 am. Please arrive 15 minutes early to complete the check-in process and come appropriately dressed and prepared for hands-on training. To ensure an exceptional learning experience, the class size is limited. However, a minimum of 3 participants is required to hold the workshop.
Older homes typically have many layers of paint and some degree of paint removal and disturbance may be necessary during renovation, repair, and maintenance projects. Completing the EPA Certified Renovator training is a crucial step in protecting your clients, your firm, your employees, and yourself. Our Lead Safety for Renovation, Repair & Painting course teaches participants how to perform and supervise lead-safe work practices effectively. The lecture, demonstrations, and hands-on training covers health effects, regulations, lead-safe work practices, dust and debris containment, cleaning verification, and recordkeeping practices. Each student must successfully complete the hands-on skills and pass an end-of-class written exam to receive a Certified Renovator certificate which is valid for 5 years.
After completing the workshop participants will:
Craftwork Training Center is an EPA-accredited training provider for the Lead Safety for Renovation, Repair & Painting program (Certified Renovator).
The workshop will be held at the historic Millhafen Farm—the headquarters of Craftwork Training Center and LimeWorks.us—located at 3145 State Road, Telford, PA 18969. A nonrefundable deposit of $100 is required two weeks in advance with the balance due at the beginning of the workshop. All the necessary materials and tools will be supplied and a light lunch is provided for your convenience. The program will start promptly at 8:00 am. Please arrive 15 minutes early to complete the check-in process and come appropriately dressed and prepared for hands-on training. To ensure an exceptional learning experience, the class size is limited. However, a minimum of 3 participants is required to hold the workshop.
* Companies or organizations with 10 or more participants may qualify for a training program at their location. Call 215-536-1776 for details. Only applicable for certain classes.