Historic Frame Siding

The structural frame sat on top of a masonry foundation.

Historic frame siding.

Photo by pierre châtel innocenti on unsplash. Most of the time when i remove vinyl siding from a historic house i find wet spongy and rotted wood siding. It is important that this type of siding is sawed while the bark is still intact. Wood frame houses were built with uniform dimensional lumber cut at a saw mill.

Original or historically accurate siding on a historic home or building is an overt example of a building s era and unique characteristics. Synthetic siding has a potential life of at least 50 60 years. Because substitute siding is usually added on top of existing siding details around windows and doors may appear set back from the siding rather than slightly projecting. This type of siding is custom made and is generally made from hardwood making it easy to find split wood siding made out oak cypress and cedar.

When you hope to preserve the home s original character you have to be more selective about color appearance and longevity. It s versatile and can be made out of wood aluminum vinyl fiber cement and can be finished in a array of colors. First seen on mass produced homes of the 80s and 90s vinyl siding has become a common choice for most historical home renovations. Wood was plentiful and easy to obtain and sheltering one s family was of higher priority than conserving natural resources.

The structural framing was then covered with wood siding. Two centuries of u s. Generally no nails were used in the structural frame. Of the only ways to keep the original interplay between the texture of the siding with the window and its decorative frame.

Inevitably the vinyl siding got some moisture behind it sometimes from rain seeping in and sometimes just from water vapor trying to escape the house. Wood siding has a potential life of at least 200 years. Log cabin siding was common by the 1930s in 6 8 and 10 widths. Wood siding materials trim and shingles were installed over the frame and roof.

And if the relationship of molding or trim to the wall is changed it can result in the covering or removal of these historic features. Take a drive through the historic district of any city or town and it s easy to see what siding materials were popular during the 18th and 19th centuries. If the wood siding on your home is starting to become beaten up and rotted or the upkeep is just becoming too much for you then consider all the advantages of their vinyl equivalents. The siding plank will still be attached to the wall giving the appearance of solid logs forming the outside of your.

First vinyl siding doesn t allow the house to breathe. Horizontal lap siding also known as clapboard or bevel siding is the one of the most common styles of siding. The classic example is log cabin siding a peeled log simulation with shiplapped joints.