[MassHistPres] Contemporary materials in Historic Districts

[Dennis De Witt]

While I believe the question of plastic deck railings has not come up, Brookline had guidelines that prohibit PVC fences for several reasons.  (This product appears to be cellular PVC.)  First, with the exception of one example that I happened to see yesterday, PVC fences have always been shiny and yell “plastic”.  In addition, PVC is subject to UV degradation, causing it to become brittle.  Lastly, altho not cited by the Brookline guidelines, PVC fences, like PVC window sash are environmentally unfriendly.  Some European countries, where PVC windows are much more common than here, treat PVC for disposal purposes as a kind of hazardous waste.  (While PVC railings may not have not been discussed on the listserve before.  PVC window frames have been.)

Re new materials more generically — one thought — there is a temptation to consider Hardi-Plank as a substitute for conventional siding.  It is cementitious and should be inert.  Recently I was told by someone who teaches building inspectors, that it behaves very differently than wood clapboards.  He said that it is far more water permeable and should be applied like a rain screen material, with the expectation that water will get behind it

Lastly, new materials do have their place, when original.  Brookline has given a preservation award to an enameled steel Lustron House.

Dennis De Witt
Brookline


On Sep 27, 2016, at 1:07 PM, Chris Warner <chriswarnerarch at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hello,
> 
> This June, I was appointed to the Falmouth Historical Commission, so the learning curve is steep. In discussion at our last meeting, Chris Skelly's name came up as someone who may have helpful information as we try to evaluate the introduction of newer materials into the palatte that building owners can choose from as they renovate, especially for buildings newer than say 1950, as well as new buildings that are in Historic Districts. 
> 
> In particular, for a Cape style house, an Architect proposed a deck railing system made of PVC. The manufacturer, Intex has a reputation, profiles and pricing targeted at the higher end. Owners like the lower maintenance vs. painted wood that is popular in non-historic parts of town.
> 
> Thinking big picture and long term, as newer buildings and structures are recognized as significant, can you steer us toward guidelines that might allow for newer materials? We also discussed cross pollination with other waterfront communities such as Nantucket, New Bedford, Boston, Salem, etc. for consistency, so as to avoid the trap of special cases.
> 
> Chris Skelly felt "this would be a great question to ask on our masshistpres listserve.  Are you a subscriber to the listserve?" I was not, so, I signed up and am reaching out to the larger group for input. Is there any history of, or precedent for this topic?
> 
> Thanks,
> Chris Warner, Architect
> Falmouth Historic Commission
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