[MassHistPres] Question about use of "Azak" or other synthetic polymer based products

[Elizabeth Ware]

I agree with Elizabeth on this issue.
I live in an historic house in  the center of Newburyport.  About five years ago I designed and built a two car, two-story carriage barn on the property.
We used KOMA (similar to AZAK) for the corner boards and water table, with cedar clapboards on the siding.  All surfaces were painted. The carriage barn sits back about 70-80 feet from the street and one cannot tell the difference in materials.  Additionally, I’ve had no issue with differential expansion.

The house was to be included in a local historic district………..which never was approved.  That being stated, I see no issue in the use of these materials, (as long as they are used appropriately and in the same profiles, etc.)  since today’s woods are very different from old growth woods!

Betsy Ware

Director of Community Development
Town of Dracut, MA.
Telephone: 978-453-4557

From: MassHistPres [mailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu] On Behalf Of Elizabeth Mees
Sent: Thursday, June 7, 2018 10:20 AM
To: masshistpres at cs.umb.edu
Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] Question about use of "Azak" or other synthetic polymer based products

Fellow List Members:
feel compelled to mention that on a personal note, I had Azek trim installed on my own (non-historic, south-west facing cape) residence - board trim to cedar shingle exterior, window trim, and roof fascia some 18 years ago and have not experience any problems regarding differential expansion.

While the material may not be judged suitable from an aesthetic point of view, it has a positive cost/benefit ratio.


Liz Mees, AIA, IIDA< Leed AP
Chair, Braintree Historical Commission



-----Original Message-----
From: James Blauch Architect <jamesblauch_architect at verizon.net<mailto:jamesblauch_architect at verizon.net>>
To: jneiswander <jneiswander at gmail.com<mailto:jneiswander at gmail.com>>; 'MHC Preservation listserv' <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu<mailto:masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>>
Sent: Thu, Jun 7, 2018 10:02 am
Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] Question about use of "Azak" or other synthetic polymer based products
Ms. Neiswander:

PVC (and PVC based) products are specifically prohibited in our historic district when fronting on a street in the district.  We allow PVC siding to be used on walls that do not face or are not visible from the street.  Typically, the non-wood siding product used (and approved) for street fronting or street visible walls is cement board (like Hardie Plank).  We will approve cement board products for any exterior wall or application (and it is specifically stated as an approved product in our Rules & Regulations).  I think that a closer read on the NPS Regulations will show that PVC is not a product to be used.  Cement board is fine.  PVC is not.

Back to PVC products like Azek (noted as “Azak”).
As an Architect, I have found that the temperature expansion for any of the Azek products (siding & trim) may cause issues for the property owner; particularly along the roof eave or in large SF areas.  Try to get the Azek manufacturer to provide you with the coefficient of expansion for their product – no longer available.  A more staple solid PVC siding & trim product is manufactured in Pennsylvania by Wolf Home Products.
I do not like to use and I hesitate to specify any PVC or PVC based products; including, windows & doors.

Sincerely:

James Blauch Architect, NCARB
Silas Felton Historic District Commissioner in Hudson, MA
Cell: 508-868-8095
Email: JamesBlauch_Architect at verizon.net<mailto:JamesBlauch_Architect at verizon.net>

From: MassHistPres [mailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu<mailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu?>] On Behalf Of Judy Neiswander
Sent: Monday, June 4, 2018 7:22 PM
To: MHC Preservation listserv <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu<mailto:masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>>
Subject: [MassHistPres] Question about use of "Azak" or other synthetic polymer based products

Fellow Historic District Commissioners;

Our Commission is often asked to allow the use of "Azak" or other synthetic polymer based products in moist areas in lieu of lumber. Most often requested are applications at the base water table adjacent to the grade, and for fascias and soffit material backing up gutters at the roof eave. When painted this material is indistinguishable from wood of similar dimensions.

Neither the Park Service nor MHC prohibit use and we are interested how other Historic Commissions have handled these requests. We would like to set a policy for our 'Guidelines'.

Thank you for your advice.

Judy Neiswander,
Commissioner,
Town of Dedham Historic Districts Commission and Historical Commission.

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