5025-27 Chartres St

Description: Retention of installation of inappropriate wood-grained Hardie weatherboards on a Contributing rated, one-story, two-family residential building in deviation of a Certificate of Appropriateness.

HDLC Guidelines:

Section 6, Pages 11-12 of the Guidelines for Exterior Woodwork indicate that fiber-cement siding is a lightweight, solid material that is both durable and visually more compatible with wood than vinyl or aluminum siding. When it is manufactured in similar sizes and shapes to wood siding and shingles, and with a smooth, painted finish, it can be compatible with historic fabric. The installation method is similar to wood, allowing historic alignments around window and door frames. It can be cut to shape on-site using hand tools, and painted to match any color scheme. Manufacturers indicate that fiber-cement products are resistant to rot, termites, fire and delamination, and are dimensionally stable, allowing paint to last longer. Fiber-cement products cost more than vinyl or aluminum siding but much less than wood siding. They are increasingly common in this region, and some manufacturers offer warranties for as long as 50 years. The Staff can approve the installation of smooth finish fiber cement siding. The installation of wood-grained fiber cement siding can be appealed to the Commission.

Staff Recommendations:

The Guidelines for exterior woodwork allow for installation of smooth finish fiber-cement building siding to be approved at the Staff level, but require the installation of wood-grained fiber-cement siding to be appealed to the Commission for approval. Smooth fiber-cement siding is preferred because it more closely emulates sanded and painted weatherboards and weatherboards with multiple layers of paint. It is also the typical recommendation of local historic district agencies nationwide based on the preservation standards set forth by the National Park Service. Because the wood-grained weatherboards installed on the left and right sides of the building do not meet the HDLC Guidelines, were installed in deviation of a Certificate of Appropriateness and are highly visible from the public right of way, Staff recommends denial of the retention request and for the boards to be replaced with new wood or smooth finish Hardie weatherboards.

• Staff Recommendation: Denial

Context Photos:

Certificate of Appropriateness - Issued 09/12/2019:

Street View:

HDLC Guidelines:

06: 11-12 – Guidelines for Exterior Woodwork