![]() His first issue was how to make molds for the five rusticated block shapes: pier blocks, tapered bases, tapered column capitals, column drums, and column disks, all with the same rough-hewn finish. While the process isn’t rocket science, it is slow and tedious. Marty was aware of some local attempts to replicate cast blocks. That’s when he discovered Marty Naber of Naberhood Restorations. At this point, many homeowners would have given up, but as a vintage-car enthusiast, Gary knew that anything can be done if you find the right person. A local contractor, Doug Shultz, began repairs-removing and rebuilding the footings, and making structural repairs-but then the work stalled. A catch-22 developed as carpenters commented that the project was mason’s work and masons insisted it was a carpenter’s domain. ![]() ![]() Gary spoke to at least nine contractors many came by, looked at the porch, and never called back. With new concrete blocks, the porch is ready to weather another century. Gary was left with two choices: Find salvaged cast blocks for repair, or find a mason who could cast new blocks to match the old. Substituting modern blocks would have been unsightly, and replacing all the blocks would have changed the character of the porch. Unfortunately, the porch was falling apart, and needed an additional column to correct a sagging roofline. The porch-from the foundation piers to column capitals and even the apron in between-was constructed of cast ornamental concrete block, a material that was quite popular at the turn of the 20th century but went out of production by the 1940s. Homeowner Gary Stottler knew it wouldn’t be easy to restore the front porch on his circa 1900 Queen Anne because of the material used. This Queen Anne porch is more appealing with the help of concrete blocks.
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