chemicals, sand blasting or other invasive methods may be used to clean historic buildings. When repairing stucco, stucco
<br />mixture compatible in composition, color, and texture shall be used.
<br />Recommended
<br />Whenever possible, the original building materials should be restored. Metal or vinyl siding may be used when it is the only
<br />alternative to maintaining or replacing the original surface material. When used over wood surfaces, this siding should be the
<br />same size and style as the original wood. Every effort should be made to retain the original trim around the windows, doors,
<br />cornices, gables, eaves, and other architectural features. Ample ventilation must be afforded the structure when metal or v inyl
<br />siding has been installed in order to prevent increased deterioration of the structure from moisture and/or insects. Mortar
<br />joints should be repointed only when there is evidence of moisture problems or when sufficient mortar is missing to allow
<br />water to stand in the mortar joint. Existing mortar shall be duplicated in composition, color, texture, joint size, method of
<br />application and joint profile. It is emphasized that, prior to initiating any restoration or rehabilitation effort, the prop erty
<br />owner contact the Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend & St. Joseph County at 125 Lafayette, South Bend. The
<br />Commission is an invaluable source of information about all facets of rehabilitation and restoration.
<br />Prohibited
<br />Wood siding shall not be resurfaced with new material which is inappropriate or was unavailable when the building was
<br />constructed, such as artificial stone, brick veneer, asbestos or asphalt shingles. Sandblasting or the use of harsh detergen ts
<br />shall not be used on masonry including brick, stucco, limestone, flagstone, and sandstone. This method of cleaning erodes the
<br />surface material and accelerates deterioration. Brick surfaces shall not be painted unless they had been painted originally.
<br />Not Recommended
<br />Waterproof or water repellant coatings or surface consolidation treatments should not be used on masonry surfaces unless
<br />required to solve a specific problem that has been studied and identified. Coatings are frequently unnecessary and expensive ,
<br />and can accelerate deterioration of the masonry. Mortar joints which do not need repointing should not be repointed.
<br />Repointing shall not be done with a mortar of high Portland cement content which can often create a bond that is stronger tha n
<br />the building material. This can cause deterioration as a result of the differing coefficient of expansion and the differing
<br />porosity of the material and the mortar which can result in serious damage to adjacent brick. Paint shall not be removed fro m
<br />masonry surfaces indiscriminately
<br />B. ROOFS AND ROOFING
<br />[…]
<br />C. WINDOWS AND DOORS
<br />Window and door frames are in most cases wood. Brick structures have stone sills and brick lintels. In some cases where
<br />additional siding has been applied window trim has been covered. Many structures in the district have aluminum storm
<br />windows. Some houses retain wood framed storm windows.
<br />Required
<br />Original windows and doors shall be retained including sashes, lintels, sills, shutters, decorative glass, pediments, hoods, and
<br />hardware. When deteriorated beyond repair, they shall be replaced with units and trim resembling the original.
<br />Recommended
<br />Wood frame storm windows and doors painted to match the original should be used but should not damage existing frames
<br />and should be removable. If new sashes or doors are installed, the existing or original materials, design, and hardware should
<br />be used. When metal storm doors and windows are used, they should be painted, anodized or coated to match the existing.
<br />When awnings are used they should be of canvas material.
<br />Prohibited
<br />Original doors, windows, and hardware shall not be discarded when they can be restored and re -used in place. New window
<br />and door openings which would alter the scale and proportion of the building shall not be introduced. Inappropriate new
<br />window and door features, such as aluminum insulating glass combinations that require the removal of the original windows
<br />and doors, shall not be installed.
<br />Not Recommended
<br />Awnings, hoods, and fake shutters made of metal, vinyl, or fiberglass should not be used if they would detract from the
<br />existing character or appearance of the building.
<br />D. ENTRANCES, PORCHES, AND STEPS
<br />Most houses in the district have either an open or enclosed porch across the front. Most porches have either hip or gabled
<br />roofs or are covered by the main roof of the house.
<br />Required
<br />Existing or original porches, stoops, patios, and steps, including handrails, balusters, columns, brackets, tiles and roof
<br />decorations, shall be retained or replaced by replicas of the same design and materials when deterior ated beyond repair.
<br />Porches and additions reflecting later architectural styles and which are important to the building’s historical integrity sh all be
<br />retained.
<br />Recommended
<br />When enclosing porches for heat conservation or other reasons, it should be done in a manner that does not alter the
<br />architectural or historical character of the building.
<br />Prohibited
<br />Front porches, stoops, patios, and steps that are important to the building’s style and character shall not be altered or rem oved.
<br />Not Recommended
<br />Original porch details should not be replaced with materials representing a different period or style from the original.
<br />E. MECHANICAL SYSTEMS
<br />[…]
<br />III. NEW CONSTRUCTION
<br />[…]
<br />IV. SAFETY AND BUILDING CODE REQUIREMENTS
<br />A. BUILDING CODE REQUIREMENTS
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