WORKING WITH HISTORIC BUILDINGS
General Maintenance
There's no denying that old buildings need regular maintenance. The following resources can help property owners identify and prioritize needed repairs and maintenance and assist with researching best practices for working with historic building materials.
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NPS Preservation Brief 10: Exterior Paint Problems on Historic Woodwork
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NPS Preservation Brief 39: Controlling Unwanted Moisture in Historic Buildings
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NPS Preservation Brief 47: Maintaining the Exteriors of Small and Medium Size Historic Buildings
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Delaware County, PA: Maintaining Your Historic Home: A Practical Guide for Homeowners
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VT Division for Historic Preservation: Inspection Checklist for Historic Buildings
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City of Steamboat Springs, CO: Historic Properties Maintenance Manual
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Windows
One of the most complex and enduring debates in preservation is windows - repair vs. replace, energy efficiency, and aesthetic appearance are just some of the issues property owners are faced with. The best first step is getting educated on the benefits of preserving your old windows and when replacement is the right choice. These resources provide a comprehensive overview.
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NPS Preservation Brief 9: The Repair of Historic Wooden Windows
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What Replacement Windows Can’t Replace: The Real Cost of Removing Historic Windows
Energy Efficiency and Green Technology
Preservationists often make the case that rehabbing existing buildings is an environmentally responsible practice. How do crossover topics such as energy efficiency, weatherization, and renewable energy enter this conversation? Old and historic buildings are adaptable to these concepts, but not without an understanding of inherent energy efficient characteristics and best practices for energy conservation measures. The following resources can help property owners navigate through the relevant topics and issues.
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NPS Preservation Brief 3: Improving Energy Efficiency in Historic Buildings
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Preservation Trust of VT: Energy Conserving Features Inherent to Older Buildings
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Preservation Trust of VT: Homeowners DIY Energy Efficiency Tips for Older Buildings
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Article: Devastating Risks of Spray Foam Insulation Hidden from Vermont Homeowners
Hazardous Building Materials
As technologies rapidly advanced over the last century and building materials were not subject to strict safety regulations, many historic buildings have remnants of hazardous products that ultimately need to be removed or remediated. Below are some examples of best practices for addressing common hazardous materials.
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Preservation Brief 37: Appropriate Methods for Reducing Lead-Paint Hazards in Historic Housing
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Fine Homebuilding: Lead-Paint Safety, at Home and on the Job
Substitute and Synthetic Materials
In recent decades, many advancements have been made in construction materials, but not all are the right fit for historic buildings. While sometimes useful when making repairs, other applications can have varied impacts – from loss of architectural character to unwanted moisture – and must be considered carefully. Follow the links below for a variety of examples and guidelines.
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NPS Preservation Brief 8: Aluminum and Vinyl Siding on Historic Buildings
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NPS Preservation Brief 16: The Use of Substitute Materials on Historic Building Exteriors
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Burlington VT: Replacing Historic Building Materials Information Guidelines
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CT Trust for Historic Preservation: Vinyl Siding – The Real Issues
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NAPC: Fiber-Reinforced Cement Siding Materials: Should They be Used on Historic Buildings?
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City of Columbus, OH: Alternative Materials and Their Use in Historic Districts
Masonry and Mortar
Masonry buildings and materials are known for their durability, structural integrity, and often ornamental features. With a wide range of masonry types and their related physical properties, proper care and maintenance is essential. The following resources cover a variety of topics related to masonry terms and conservation techniques.
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NPS Preservation Brief 2: Repointing Mortar Joints in Historic Masonry Buildings
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NPS Preservation Brief 6: Dangers of Abrasive Cleaning to Historic Buildings
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A Glossary of Historic Masonry Deterioration Problems and Preservation Treatments
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Not Just Another Brick in the Wall: An Overview to Proper Maintenance of Historic Masonry
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Historic Masonry Restoration Through the Eyes of a Master Stonemason
