Wood building products, including siding, shingles and a great variety of decorative trim were used extensively by the 19th- and early 20th-century builders of the city. Wood contributes texture and detail to the historic streetscape and is a durable, high-quality material with a long product life if properly maintained.
(A) Repair. Wooden siding should be maintained with paint or stain. Deteriorated wooden siding should be replaced with new material resembling the original in width, thickness and profile and texture. New siding should be installed with the weather (exposed surface) identical to the original. Siding should be installed horizontally except in those instances where vertical or diagonal siding was used on the original exterior. Appropriate corner boards, frieze boards and drip caps and other features should be included with replacement siding.
(B) Vinyl and aluminum siding; other manufactured products.
(1) Buildings originally clad in wooden siding should not be resurfaced with brick, stucco, artificial stone or brick veneer, hardboard or vinyl or aluminum siding.
(2) The Zoning Administrator or Commission may consider the following exceptions to the installation of vinyl, metal or hardboard siding on a case-by-case basis:
(a) In cases where existing asphalt, asbestos, aluminum or vinyl siding is to be removed and where the underlying original siding and decorative features are found to be significantly deteriorated, the Zoning Administrator or Commission should conduct a site visit during the removal process and advise on appropriate treatment;
(b) In the resurfacing of noncontributing buildings constructed after 1940; and
(c) In the resurfacing of existing or construction of new garages, particularly when the garage is inconspicuously sited.
(3) If vinyl, metal or hardboard siding is used, it must be of a width appropriate to the style of the building, and all architectural details including window trim, wood cornices and ornament must remain uncovered. Replacement siding may cover only one layer of existing siding. Trim must be built up so that it projects from the new siding to the same extent as the original.
(C) Shingles. Buildings originally clad in horizontal wooden siding should not be resurfaced with shingles of wood or other material. Wooden shingles used for cladding material or decoration, such as in the gable ends, should be conserved and retained. If replacement is necessary, shingles should replicate the original in width, pattern, thickness, profile, texture and weather (lap).
(D) Decorative siding treatments. Decorative siding treatments, such as paneled herringbone patterns used in the gable ends, should be retained in repair or resurfacing.
(E) Painting. Exterior wooden surfaces should be maintained with appropriate paint or stain.
(Prior Code, § 12-1667)