Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Real vs Ersatz 1

In new construction, more and more, contractors are using modern alternatives to traditional building materials. This is, for most cases, a good choice because in many respects plastics and composites hold up better to weather and time. However, I always encourage my clients (sometimes with success, sometimes not) to use traditional materials on historic buildings in order to have continuity and to keep the structure 'honest'. Here are some examples of clapboard siding. Many people claim that composite siding, also known as cementitious siding, is indistinguishable from wood siding. Not true, please take a little closer look.


On this 130 year old example you can see the thickness of each
clapboard, the shadow line, and the inherent imperfection of the wood surface.

The new cementitious clapboard is thin, wavy and void of character.
When this product is used to replace siding on an historic home,
personality and charm is sacrificed.


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About Me

I am a landscape designer based in Key West, Florida and Surry, Maine. I place much attention with the house, not as an adjunct to the garden but as an integral element. This symbiotic relationship will always produce the best and most natural environment. The best description for my views on the relationship between the garden and the house comes from the naturalist Charles Keeler, “landscape design with occasional rooms in case of rain”