REAL ESTATE

Everything you ever wanted to know about the Historic Preservation Commission*

*But were afraid to ask

Dear Miss Victoria Anna,
What type of siding can I use on my Ocean Grove Home? - Signed Kathleen

Kathleen - Traditionally, most Ocean Grove homes were sided with wood clapboard, shingles, and/or board and batten. Cottages were often sided with board and batten. Stick, Italianate, and Colonial Revival homes mainly used clapboard siding. American Foursquare and Queen Anne homes were adorned with interesting combinations of shingles and clapboard.

Even today these sidings continue to be the most appropriate choices when a home is resided.

Wood siding provides many benefits. When properly installed and maintained it is quite economical and will last for a very long time. It is a good insulator and is very adaptable. Wood allows for a wide variety of decorative effects. Especially significant are the texture and shadow lines achievable in wood.

While vinyl siding initially would seem to be a good selection because of it’s perceived benefit of low maintenance, it’s application on historic buildings actually creates serious concerns.

Because vinyl does not “breathe” as wood does, it can trap moisture that could lead to the rot of structural elements and damage to interior finishes.

Vinyl siding on its own has a negligible R rating for insulation. Increased insulation is achieved by the application of rigid insulation sheets under the vinyl.

Under usual installation methods, when vinyl siding is applied over existing siding, it not only hides existing problems without remediating them, more importantly, it eliminates details and changes the façade’s proportions and profiles. Too often crown moldings, window and door trim, soffits, facia, brackets and architectural ornaments are covered over or (more problematically) removed.

Vinyl melts at a low temperature and emits noxious fumes when it burns.

The Historic Preservation Commission discourages the use of vinyl siding, especially on the fronts of buildings. It strongly urges homeowners to do an investigation before deciding what type of siding to use. When many homeowners remove a small section of newer aluminum, asbestos, or vinyl siding, they are pleasantly surprised to find the original cedar siding is in such good condition that it is economically more feasible to restore it rather than cover or remove it.

If vinyl siding is to be applied to a home, strict guidelines must be followed to retain the appropriate appearance of the buildings facades. The decorative details that give a building its character must be retained or replicated.

-The choice of siding type should replicate the form and dimensions of the original siding. This means that vinyl clapboard siding must be smooth, not wood grained. It should have a 3”, 4”, or 5” reveal. The mixture of simulated shakes and clapboard should be designed to compliment the home’s style.

-The preference is that existing wood details such as crown moldings, soffits, cornices, etc. be retained. In some cases, missing elements may be replicated in appropriate synthetic materials. Cladding of window and door surrounds and other trim pieces in vinyl is not allowed.

-The proper clearance between siding and window surrounds, sill boards, corner boards, cornices, crown moldings, etc. must be maintained. This means that these elements must usually be built out so that they protrude the appropriate distance from the plane of the siding and create the necessary shadow lines.

A relatively new type of alternative to wood and vinyl has started to be used. These are products made of manufactured cement or other synthetic materials that are shaped like conventional wood boards or shakes. Samples can be found in the Historic Preservation Commission office for review. They are applied in the same manner as wood and hold a lot of promise.

Sincerely yours,
Victoria Anna Housen

– Posted 12/23/04