Tips for Working on a Historic Renovation

Historic renovations demand a building material with the versatility to capture the spirit, charm and character of the houses style, while providing the functionality and durability to last well into the future. So, it’s not surprising that communities across the country are choosing a siding material that’s in its fifth decade of advancement and use — vinyl.

“Vinyl can be done well on historic renovations due to its flexibility and abundant lap sizes. We can often imitate the original siding to maintain the historic look of the house.”

Historic commissions may state their missions in slightly different ways, but most agree on one principle — that protecting and maintaining the architectural and visual integrity of the historic property is first and foremost. With this mission, some planning commissions concede that many building materials are cost-prohibitive and too maintenance-intensive to achieve a successful long-term restoration. Because of this a lot of historic commissions and preservation boards are embracing the use of innovative products made from vinyl because they offer aesthetically accurate features and minimal long-term maintenance costs.

Considerations for a historic renovation:

• Homeowners who remodel recoup over 95 percent of the cost of new vinyl siding, therefore increasing the home’s resale value.
• Architecturally correct panels replicate the natural look of clapboard siding to such a degree that it’s difficult to distinguish from real wood.
• Vinyl siding and accessories can be used for almost every aspect of building construction — from siding to soffits to trim.
• Vinyl siding is available in a broad spectrum of colors — more than 200 of which are certified fade-resistant.
• Many manufacturers offer product lines in period colors for a high-end look.
• Vinyl is a fire-resistant material.
• Vinyl siding warranties offer a lifetime of protection.
• Vinyl siding has been used successfully to replicate almost all historical styles from many classic housing eras, including:
  • Victorian and Queen Anne
  • Pre-railroad New England
  • Tidewater South Traditions/Lowland
  • Colonial, Georgian and Adam
  • Early Classical, Greek and Gothic Revival
  • Rural Shirtwaist and Log Cabin
  • Prairie, Craftsman and Ranch