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Siding: After a close inspection of the clapboard that was visible, I feel that the original siding has deteriorated and would most likely need sections repaired or replaced. The siding under the porch overhang was in the best condition of what I saw, but was still spongy and wet from the recent rain. I inspected other locations around the house where the more recent asphalt siding was missing and found clapboard in similar condition. Once the more recent asphalt siding is removed a full inspection should be done to determine the condition of the remaining siding to determine if it is repairable. The molding above the windows had been cut down to allow installation for the more recent siding. That may be problematic to duplicate and install." STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES: II. EXISTING STRUCTURES A. BUILDING MATERIALS Original exterior wall materials in the District include brick, stucco, clapboard, wood shingles and masonry block. In some instances, vinyl or aluminum siding has been applied over the original material. Required Original exterior building materials shall be retained. Deterioration of wood materials shall be prevented through repair, cleaning and painting. The existing architectural detail around windows, porches, doors and eaves should be retained or replaced by replicas of the same design and materials when deteriorated beyond repair. Masonry including brick and stucco shall be cleaned only when necessary to halt deterioration or to remove stains, and shall be done with a method acceptable for the preservation of the surface: i.e. low pressure water and soft natural bristle brushes. When repairing stucco, only appropriate stucco mixture shall be used. Recommended Whenever possible, the original building materials should be restored. Metal or vinyl may be used as an alternative to maintaining or replacing the original surface material when it resembles the original surface material. When used over wood surfaces, this siding should be the same size and style as the original wood. Every effort should be made to retain the original trim around windows, doors, cornices, gables, eaves and other architectural features. Ample ventilation must be afforded the structure when aluminum or vinyl is to be installed in order to prevent increased deterioration of the structure from moisture and/or insects. Mortar joints should be repointed only when there is evidence of moisture problems or when sufficient mortar is missing to allow water to stand in the mortar joint. Existing mortar shall be duplicated in composition, color, texture, joint size, method of application and joint profile. Prohibited Wood siding shall not be resurfaced with material such as artificial stone, brick veneer, asbestos or asphalt shingles, which is inappropriate or was unavailable when the building was constructed. Sandblasting or the use of harsh detergents shall not be used on masonry or stucco. This method of cleaning erodes the surface material and accelerates deterioration. Not Recommended Waterproof or water repellent coatings or surface consolidation treatments should not be used on masonry surfaces unless required to solve a specific problem that has been studied and identified. Coatings are frequently unnecessary and expensive, and can accelerate deterioration of the masonry. Mortar joints which do not need repointing should not be. Repointing should not be done with mortar of high Portland cement content, which can often create a bond that is stronger than the building materials. This can cause deterioration as a result of the differing porosity of the material and the mortar — the end result being serious damage to adjacent brick. Paint should not be removed from masonry surfaces indiscriminately. C. WINDOWS AND DOORS