Newest Threat for Period Structures

It is always a bit of a shock to me how insensitive builders and subcontractors can be toward period structures. And it's not the stick build remodeling contractors that are the threat but rather the proliferation of restoration contractors who purport to be the absolute authority on period structures and what is best for their care and well being. I don't necessarily blame the home owners. They are looking for guidance usually. An experienced well informed restoration contractor should be in the position of properly advising the owner what is best. However, I have been consulting on many projects over the last few years that have shaken my belief that most of these restorationists are well versed in the proper stewardship of our architectural heritage.
There are many factors that contribute to this new threat to period structures. Not the least of which is the energy issue. Despite the efforts of excellent preservationists such as John Leeke, we continue to see period houses having their original windows ripped out and replaced with vinyl clad argon filled disasters. Not only has the antiquity of the structure been compromised, it has now had its aesthetic ruined.
I recently revisited a wonderful ca 1750 center chimney two story Connecticut colonial of extraordinary historic significance. I was one of many who helped to dismantle the residence and relocate it to another state. So intact was this house, we even moved the chimney stack intact. The care that was taken resulted in a restoration/relocation of museum quality. I was very pleased as I toured the house that it is still very much the way we left it twenty some years ago. However, when I entered the thrid floor level, I was shocked to see that all of the roof framing and white oak sheathing boards are now coated with foam insulation. Ruined forever. That material can never be removed from those 260 year old materials. A classic case of a miss guided owner being convinced that the energy savings from the foam would easily offset any compromise to the historic integrity of the structure.
I feel so passionate about this insidious destruction of our historic structures, I plan on writing several posts about the dangers.
It is absolutely critical that owners of period structures get the correct advice. It is so readily available but so often overlooked. Historic New England's Historic Homeowner program is an excellent souce for getting proper guidance while supporting a venerable organization. More on that soon.

Bethel, VT Christ Church 1823

One of the many unspoiled intact churches of New England, the Christ Church of Bethel, VT was erected in 1823. Only open on occasion, so I resorted to having to photo the interior through a keyhole in the front door.

Located on Route 14 between Bethel and Randolph. Well worth the visit.

Traditional Building - As Green as it gets

My building career started in 1970 when I went to work for Rip Swan in Londonderry, VT. Rip had just joined forces with Stuart McDonald and the new company was McDonald and Swan. Rip was an old time builder. Very correct and methodical in his ways. I started out doing the architectural drawings for the firms projects. This gave me much time to look through the vast library of books on old houses. Rip also had an extensive collection of period tools, which further picqued my interest. Rip was very insightful and gave me good guidance. Even though we were actively engaged in new construction as well as restoration projects, we always leaned to the traditional methods and materials.

That start in building gave me the insight to investigate why early structures were still so intact and yet new buildings were falling apart. Early builders and designers worked in a very straight forard manner. From the siting of structures to their design and construction, early builders used logical intuitive thinking to create their structures. They were also presented with an abundance of readily available materials. From foundation stones to framing timbers, lumber and slate for roofing. The materials were at hand.

I know I'm a bit jaded living in Vermont, for even today we have everything necessary to build very sound structures of the highest quality. We still have stone for foundation work, we have multiple sawmills sawing native species for our framing and sheathing needs. We have many excellent millshops producing doors, windows and other architectural components. What we really need is the conscienceness of builders and of people having homes built to understand the benefit of utilizing our native materials.

It's not just Vermont that can gain by looking at what is available locally. Most all states have the ability to produce building materials out of sustainable materials. I have always loved the adobe buildings of the southwest. What better example of utilization of readily available sources that work better than those that have replaced it.

I feel the need to further push this agenda for what seems to me to be second nature. When I watch episodes of This Old House, I cringe to this how erroneous their actions are and yet 99% of those watching are being educated in how not to deal with an old house. Much more on this subject will be dealt with through this blog. Please feel free to ad as you wish.

Posted by Wade I. Treadway