Restoring historic homes requires strong attention to detail to maintain the elegance of the original structure. While most homes built in the late 1800s and early 1900s used wood siding, this particular exterior cladding requires regular upkeep and a new paint job every few years. As a result, maintaining the original beauty is a stringent process. That’s why many historic restoration remodeling contractors rely on the design versatility of vinyl siding to keep the charm and character in line with the home’s history.
VSI Certified Installers Maintain Historic Charm with Vinyl Siding
The VSI Certified Installers at Midwest Construction have been nationally recognized for their restoration work using vinyl siding and vinyl building products. Working with various styles of vinyl siding and gorgeous color options, that are resistant to fading and never need repainting, Midwest Construction can successfully transform a home’s exterior that will stand up to the elements, require a low initial investment, and result in minimal long-term maintenance costs.
In their 1930’s era historic home restoration, they perfectly preserved the original look by replacing the rotting wood siding with durable vinyl siding. The yellow clapboard matches the original paint color and the blue, yellow, and white scallop detailing provides the perfect touch of historic charm. The homeowners are left with a nearly exact replica of their original 1930’s home, without the hassle of regular upkeep.
Before:
After:
How Vinyl Siding Replicates Historic Aesthetics
Remodelers regularly rely on vinyl siding when restoring historic homes because of the vast options available from both a cladding and accessories perspective. It’s often possible to imitate the original siding, maintaining the exact look of the original siding thanks to abundant lap sizes and a diverse color palette, with more than 400 certified colors that won’t fade over time.
Architecturally correct panels are available that so closely replicate the natural look of clapboard siding that even up close, it’s difficult to distinguish from real wood. Vinyl siding and accessories can be used for almost every aspect of the building construction, as well as decorative details such as trim, shakes, and scallops.
These products are versatile and are ideal for renovating many architectural styles, including:
- Victorian and Queen Anne
- Pre-Railroad New England
- Colonial, Georgian, and Adam
- Prairie and Craftsman
- Early Classical, Greek, and Gothic Revival
In addition, vinyl siding is the superior choice compared to the home’s original wood siding because of its minimal maintenance and upkeep. Unlike wood and fiber cement, which require regular painting, vinyl siding won’t rot, crack, or suffer insect damage. It can also be cleaned with mild soap and a garden hose.
To learn more about the design potential available with vinyl siding, visit our inspiration gallery.
