Historic reproduction of existing work from a custom mold.

Restoration is a Word...

...with many meanings, depending on the context and often on who is speaking. For us at Monumental Construction & Moulding Company, however, plaster restoration has the precise definition of the stabilization of existing plasterwork, flat or ornamental, usually in the course of the historic preservation of a "museum" structure of considerable significance. The accumulated toll of neglect, water entry, traffic vibration and time itself can cause deterioration of the original gypsum plaster, binders and the structural wood lathe that furnishes ornamental plaster with its support. Ornamental plaster restoration means restoration of existing work preserving as much as possible of the existing materials. Over time, we have developed a variety of remedial techniques for returning historic molding work as closely as possible to its original condition. This, after all, is the dictionary definition of the word "restoration".

Mockup of period reproduction crown moulding awaiting review by architect.

Budget, Schedule & Design

requirements often have more influence over ornamental plaster projects than dictionary definitions, however. Our clients are architects, contractors and interior designers who come to us seeking the most cost-effective solutions possible to building challenges involving ornamental plaster moldings in period buildings and period styles. Most typically, these so-called ornamental plaster restoration projects are renovations, additions or alterations to existing period buildings that seek to match existing moldings. Historic reproduction refers to the exact replication of new decorative mouldings with precisely the same appearance as existing historic work, while utilizing modern technology. Regardless of circumstances or their own definition of plaster "restoration", we furnish our clients with mouldings which adhere most faithfully and authentically to the original historic period. The internal structure and layout of the plasterwork we fabricate, however, may be much different. Historic ornamental plaster was typically built up in place, over lathe, requiring much time and labor. To reduce labor costs and down time, any of our ornamental plaster moldings can be engineered and prefabricated in massive profiles and in long continuous lengths with the same details and undercuts as any custom historic or standard work. By reinforcing cast plaster with fiberglass (to form castings called glass reinforced gypsum or "GRG"), steel or other materials, large, precisely formed units can be produced and quickly installed. Plaster units can be fabricated for the largest convenient size which can be crated, shipped and handled at the job site. They can easily be made to follow any curve or radius that the space may require. Thus, ornamental plaster no longer needs to be fabricated in place with the attendant high labor costs, mess and time out of service required first for the fabrication and then for curing. Prefabricated plaster work can be finished almost immediately after installation, satisfying today's tight constuction schedules. While not conforming to our strict definition of ornamental plaster restoration, these solutions can can exactly duplicate historic work at a considerable savings.

Original ornamental plaster mouldings from our historic Epstein Collection.

Original Historic Mouldings.

If you are seeking an ornamental molding for a plaster restoration project in a particular period style, you will find no broader range of choice anywhere than in MCMC Inc's "International Collection". Over the years, we have collected or created many of these mouldings ourselves, but the heart of our molding library is the historic "Epstein Collection", an archive of original molds going back to the 1850's. Painstakingly accumulated over many years, this collection was acquired entire by us in 1982 when a long established ornamental molding company based in Boston went out of business. Whatever the design you are looking for, egg and dart, acanthus leaf, greek key, whatever the period you seek, Adam style, Greek and Colonial Revival style and Art Deco, Victorian, you will find complete moulding sets including every conceivable building element. This collection was considered so comprehensive that the Smithsonian Museum expressed an interest in acquiring it. Ultimately, however, it was decided that these plaster mouldings would benefit the built environment most by remaining widely available to persons attempting the restoration, renovation or replication of historic buildings in authentic period styles.

Original historic mouldings "filed" for convenience on original mounting boards.

Comprehensive Plaster Restoration, Reproduction and Renovation Services.

Having worked for decades producing ornamental plaster moldings for historic buildings, our artists have the skills and experience to faithfully restore or reproduce your existing work or adapt designs from our own extensive collection of plaster moldings. We can reproduce work from any design or specification, to follow any curve or radius. Any of our catalog crown moldings can be produced to any curve as well. We can copy and reproduce existing historic work for replacement or use in renovations or additions or to replace existing plaster mouldings too damaged to restore. Where important historic fabric has been damaged by time or neglect, we have developed time tested methods for restoring and stabilizing it, in place. Ornamental plaster is still the designer's material of choice for defining the mood and impression of the space just as it has been for centuries. It will accept most finishes, it will neither shrink, warp, burn nor produce toxic fumes and no insect or animal will eat it. We look forward to furnishing you with the most cost effective proposal for "restoration" of the ornamental plaster moldings in your historic period structure.

To order plaster moldings from our online Catalog, we suggest that you fill out our Order Form and return it to us by fax or by mail. Phone orders are also welcome. Link to our Price List and our list of Terms & Conditions to understand all charges, including shipping, handling and restocking. We welcome all inquiries about our products or plaster ornament in general. To return to the home page, click  MCMC HOME.

Monumental Construction & Moulding Company, Inc.
POB 34102
Washington, DC, 20043

ph: 301.523.0658

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