Alternatives for Siding, Windows and Doors

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Alternatives for Siding, Windows and Doors
Prepared by Rich Martin Northern Dean former
Member, Saratoga Springs Design Review Commission

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Topics Covered

• Key Question when Looking at Alternatives
• Windows
• Storm Windows
• Doors
• Siding
• Roofs

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Key Question

• How Compatible is this New Building or the
  Renovation?
• Both Property Owners and Design Review Commission
  Members should try to get as much history as
  possible on the building, so that the property
  owner, design professional and DRC members know
  how to put the building back together.
• The Devil is in the Details You need to know
  the specific material being proposed, so that you
  can anticipate the aesthetics of the resulting
  building

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Windows

• Key Question Is a true divided light window an
  important issue for the preservation of this
  building?
• Issues
• Historic Integrity of the Building
• Cost
• Energy Efficiency

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Windows, Cont

• A true Divided Light Window is one with muntins,
  or small bars that divide the window into
  separate and distinct panes.
• A Simulated Divided Light is one with a grill
  between 2 thermal panes

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Windows, Cont

• The cost of a Simulated Divided Light Window is
  calculated as follows
• For a 6-over-1 window (6 panes in the top half,
  and one pane in the bottom half)
• Start with a 1-over-1 frame 300
• Panes of Glass 30 each (need 7)
• Total for a 6-over-1is 300 210 or 510.

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Storm Windows
Your choice of storm windows can impact the
historic integrity of your house. Dont install
storm windows on the outside of your windows,
because you lose the aesthetic value of the
original window Do install inside storm windows.
This solution preserves the aesthetics however,
the window will experience increased wear.
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Doors
Key Question Is the original wood door an
important architectural feature to
Preserve? Issues Longevity Cost Aesthetics
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Doors, Cont
Preserving a Wood Door to the outside is a
difficult and costly process. Wood Doors have
more depth, character and more interesting
patinas. Synthetic Doors cost about 1/3 that of
a wood door and last much longer. Synthetic Doors
lack depth, character and patina.
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Siding Types
Wood Siding and Shingles Aluminum or Vinyl
Siding Exterior Insulation Finish Systems Brick
In-Fill
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Wood Siding and Shingles
It is very difficult to keep wood in its natural
shape because it expands, contracts and warps
with changes in the weather. Originally a clear
preservative would have been applied to the
top-side of the siding or shingle. As the sun
comes up, moisture is pulled from the wood. When
this happens, the wood will cup (bow up at the
edges) because the preservative was not applied
to the underside.
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Vinyl and Aluminum Siding
Too often vinyl/aluminum siding covers and/or
alters the important detail and trim of an
historic home It is marketed as a
maintenance-free siding. However, maintenance is
still required. The design review guidelines
strongly discourage the use of vinyl or aluminum
siding. if the wood clapboards can not be
repaired or replaced, a good alternative is
fiberglass concrete siding. (If there is a fire
safety issue, from a set-back, fiberglass
concrete siding is particularly good.)
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Comparison of Siding Costs
Finger Joint Wood (fine when using a heavy stain
or paint) 900 to 1200 per square (a square is a
10x10 area) Wood 600 per square Vinyl 400 per
square Fiberglass Concrete 60 per square
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Exterior Insulation Finish Systems
Developed in Europe after WWII Foam Applied to
the building and then covered in plaster. Unlike
other materials, there is no waterproof sheathing
underneath. Generally used in commercial
Construction In the U.S., we took this material
and applied it, inappropriately, to wood
buildings. Mold will typically result in these
buildings. Almost impossible to color match when
you need to repair The surface of the building
tears easily when something bumps against it.
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Brick
Bricks are made of clay Bricks tend to expand
over time Softer brick should be used on the
interior of a building and harder brick on the
exterior
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Brick In-Fill for Windows, Doors, etc.
Key Question Can the work being proposed be
fully reversed? Interior floor plan can impact
the exterior facade. For example, if you are
adding a new bathroom, you might need to remove a
window to provide greater privacy. Dont try to
match the bricks exactly. You want to be able to
see the outline of what was there, so that it can
be put back in the future.
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Roofs, Slate
Slate is both the most expensive and the cheapest
roof you can have. The original cost of a slate
roof is high, however it will last between 100
and 150 years, if properly maintained, making it
the least expensive per year. Synthetic Slate
has no longevity and poor aesthetics, because it
is too consistent in color. Repairing Slate Roofs
is not a simple matter and can be ineffective if
not done by a professional.
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Comparison of Roofing Materials
Cedar 600 to 1000 per square, installed Note
1 square is equal to a 10 x 10 area) Slate 900
to 1500 per square, installed Asphalt 300 to
400 per square, installed. Metal Standing
Seam 700 per square installed Channel and
Drain 300 per square installed. Copper Standing
Seam 1800 per square installed