When a commercial building needs a fresh exterior and a solid structure, the work has to be done right and done safely, with the business still running around it. That was the job our crew took on with this commercial exterior renovation in Jefferson, NJ: a full makeover of a one-story commercial building, from the framing and sheathing underneath to the siding, stucco, stone and glass that customers see from the street.
Below we walk through the project step by step, with photos from the job site, so you can see what goes into an exterior renovation that is built to last and what to plan for if your own building is due for one.
The project at a glance
- Building: one-story commercial building with storefronts and a covered front walkway
- Location: Jefferson, NJ (Morris County)
- Scope: plywood sheathing, weather-resistant wrap, rebuilt storefront columns, new raised entry, new windows and a glass door system
- Finishes: horizontal siding, stucco and a stone base
Starting with the structure
Every good exterior starts underneath. Plywood sheathing was delivered and staged on site so our crew could keep the work moving day to day, closing in the building and giving it a strong, flat base for everything that goes on top.
Sheathing does more than hold siding in place. It stiffens the walls, gives fasteners something solid to bite into and keeps the finished surface straight, so siding and trim don’t wave or crack years later. Once the sheathing was on, the walls were wrapped in a weather-resistant barrier. That wrap is the layer that stops wind-driven rain from reaching the wood while still letting moisture inside the wall dry out, which matters a lot with New Jersey’s wet springs and freeze-thaw winters.
Rebuilding the storefront columns
The covered walkway in front of the stores is held up by columns, so they have to be solid and look good. Our crew framed and wrapped each support column, ready for its stone base and finish, while the storefront behind it was being prepared for new windows.
Columns like these take a beating: snow gets piled against them, salt splashes up from the sidewalk and water runs off the roof edge right beside them. Building them properly from the frame out, and protecting the bottom with stone, keeps them from rotting or staining at the base, a common problem on older storefronts.
A clean new entry
The center of the building got a new raised entry with horizontal siding and a full glass door system. Together with the new stucco, stone base and windows, the building now looks current from the street and is ready for North Jersey weather.
Mixing materials is what makes a commercial front stand out. The siding breaks up the long wall, the stucco gives a clean modern surface and the stone at the base adds weight and protects the area that sees the most splash and wear. New windows and the glass entry let in daylight and make the storefronts more inviting to walk into.
Working around an open business
On a commercial job, the building usually has to keep working while we work. That means planning the schedule in stages, keeping walkways and entrances clear and safe for customers and staff, staging materials so they don’t block parking, and cleaning up at the end of every day. A clear plan up front keeps the disruption short and avoids surprises for the business owners and their tenants.
Why it matters for your building
A commercial exterior is the first thing your customers see, and the structure behind it protects everything inside. Doing the structure, columns and finish work with one crew keeps the schedule tight and puts one company in charge of the result.
When different trades handle the framing, the wrap and the finishes, small gaps between their work are where leaks and callbacks start. With one team responsible from start to finish, every layer is installed to work with the next one, and you have one phone number to call.
Thinking about a commercial exterior renovation?
If your building is looking tired, or you are seeing signs of trouble, these are good reasons to get it looked at:
- Siding or stucco that is cracked, loose or stained
- Soft, rotting or peeling trim and columns
- Drafty or fogged windows and worn storefront doors
- Water stains inside along exterior walls
- A dated look that no longer matches your business
Most exterior renovations in New Jersey also need permits from the town’s construction office, so it pays to work with a licensed contractor who handles that part for you. We also take care of what sits above the walls: see our commercial roofing, siding and gutters and masonry services, or browse more finished work in our project gallery.
Planning a project in Jefferson or anywhere in North Jersey?
A-1 Garden State Construction is based in Little Falls, NJ and serves homes and businesses across North Jersey with roofing, siding and exterior construction. NJ Home Improvement Contractor #13VH08989700.
Request a free estimate or call us to talk about your project.
