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

[Anne Laurin Eccles]

In Lexington we have been approving Azek, or preferably Boral, for about
five years as it has been noted, post World War II wood is not the same
quality.  We worry about profile and other close details, and less about
materials in new construction.  Preserving old windows, doors, etc., is
another matter.

Anne Laurin Eccles, Chair
Lexington Historic Districts Commission



On Thu, Jun 7, 2018 at 10:50 AM, Elizabeth Ware <eware at dracutma.gov> wrote:

> 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>
> To: jneiswander <jneiswander at gmail.com>; 'MHC Preservation listserv' <
> 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
>
>
>
> *From:* MassHistPres [mailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu
> <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>
> *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.
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________ MassHistPres mailing list
> MassHistPres at cs.umb.edu http://mailman.cs.umb.edu/listinfo/masshistpres
>
> _______________________________________________
> MassHistPres mailing list
> MassHistPres at cs.umb.edu
> http://mailman.cs.umb.edu/listinfo/masshistpres
>
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://mailman.cs.umb.edu/pipermail/masshistpres/attachments/20180607/dd0ca10e/attachment.html>