[MassHistPres] Contemporary materials in Historic Districts

[Sullivan, Charles M.]

The Cambridge Historical Commission has adopted a policy of allowing synthetic replacements for trim details that are in ground contact (like porch skirt boards and step risers) or exposed to the weather (like rooftop balustrades or deck railings with no roof over them). We took this step after a property owner in the historic district was facing replacement of a balustrade in wood for the third time in 35 years.

Cellular PVC (as produced by Azek and other manufacturers) comes in many traditional profiles and common lumber sizes. It has a matte finish that can (and should) be painted, and when finished is indistinguishable from wood. Domestic lumber today bears no resemblance to the old-growth materials that were available until the 1940s and ’50s. Exotic hardwoods may be the answer for the time being, but they are getting harder and more expensive to source and may not be environmentally (or morally) sustainable in the long term.

The Commission has also allowed wood gutters to be replaced in copper or fiberglass as long as the profile matches the existing (or original) profile. We justify this primarily on the basis that wood gutters are inherently undersized for all but the smallest roof surfaces. This mismatch of capacity vs. demand, combined with the propensity of narrow outlets to clog with the slightest obstruction, leads to destructive overflows and consequent deterioration of fascia, soffits, and siding. The same exterior dimension in a thin-walled metal or fiberglass 4” x 5” (nominal) gutter will have over three times the capacity of an equivalent wood gutter. High-end frame houses in the late 19th century were often built with copper gutters formed to traditional profiles and painted to match the trim.

The Commission does not permit K-style gutters (the familiar flat-bottomed aluminum gutter profile) as replacements unless they were original to the building, but copper or fiberglass gutter in an appropriate profile preserve or recapture the traditional appearance of a cornice while offering measurable benefits in efficient capture of rainwater. While not cheap, they also offer homeowners greater longevity and lower demands for maintenance.

Owners of designated properties in Cambridge may now utilize these materials with staff review to ensure replacements match existing or original details; more complicated cases are referred to the full commission for a public hearing.

Charles Sullivan
_________________________________
Charles Sullivan, Executive Director
Cambridge Historical Commission
831 Massachusetts Ave., 2nd Fl.
Cambridge, Mass.  02139
ph 617-349-4684; fax 617-349-6165; TTY 617-349-6112
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From: masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu [mailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu] On Behalf Of Chris Warner
Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2016 1:07 PM
To: masshistpres at cs.umb.edu
Subject: [MassHistPres] Contemporary materials in Historic Districts

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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