If you live in an old home, you may realize soon enough that re-siding it is no walk in the park. Therefore, your options and movements will be fairly limited or your historic home will lose its appeal and won’t look the same way. With that in mind, it’s important that you know what you can and can’t do if you’re replacing the siding of your old home.
Here, the roofing and siding installation professionals of Howard Roofing & Home Improvements shares the do’s and don’ts of re-siding a historical home.
If the authorities in your area has declared your home a historic property, it’s likely that some preservation ordinances have been put it place. These ordinances govern the design guidelines and procedures for any alterations you intend to do to preserve the architectural character of the home. With that in mind, make sure to give your local historic board to see if your home is subject to these ordinances.
As much as possible, don’t try to make a historic home look “new”. Otherwise, you’ll negate the authentic charm and character that attracts people to your home. If you’re uncertain of what to do when re-siding a historic home, you can always hire the siding and residential roofing experts of Howard Roofing & Home Improvements for help and advice.
Color is important for old homes and oftentimes, they’re repainted by the new owners if the home changes ownership. With that in mind, if you’re re-siding your historic home, make sure to choose a siding that can be repainted.
Vinyl and Aluminum siding may be popular due to them being “no maintenance” products, keep in mind that they don’t allow old homes to breathe due to the unknown factor of moisture resistance in historic homes. This means that if it rains and water seeps in, it won’t be able to escape due to poor ventilation and the moisture becomes trapped behind the vinyl, slowly rotting the underlying wood. This can make your home vulnerable to various problems, such as a termite infestation in the long run.
Need to install a new roof? Then turn to Howard Roofing & Home Improvements, the leading provider of residential and commercial roofing services. Give us a call at (636) 333-1690 or fill out our contact form to request a free quote. We serve homeowners in St Louis, MO, and other nearby areas.