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Original exterior building materials shall be retained. Deterioration of wood materials shall be prevented through repair, cleaning and
<br />painting. The existing or original architectural detail windows, porches, doors, and eaves should be retained or replaced by replicas of the
<br />same design and materials when deteriorated beyond repair. Masonry including brick, limestone, flagstone, sandstone, and stucco shall be
<br />cleaned only when necessary to halt deterioration or to remove stains, and shall be done with a method acceptable for the preservation of the
<br />surface: i.e. low pressure water and soft natural bristle bushes. No chemicals, sand blasting or other invasive methods may be used to clean
<br />historic buildings. When repairing stucco, stucco 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 alternative to
<br />maintaining or replacing the original surface material. When used over wood surfaces, this siding should be the same size and style as the
<br />original wood. Every effort should be made to retain the original trim around the windows, doors, cornices, gables, eaves, and other
<br />architectural features. Ample ventilation must be afforded the structure when metal or vinyl siding has been installed in order to prevent
<br />increased deterioration of the structure from moisture and/or insects. Mortar joints should be repointed only when there is evidence of
<br />moisture problems or when sufficient mortar is missing to allow water to stand in the mortar joint. Existing mortar shall be duplicated in
<br />composition, color, texture, joint size, method of application and joint profile. It is emphasized that, prior to initiating any restoration or
<br />rehabilitation effort, the property owner contact the Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend & St. Joseph County at 125 Lafayette,
<br />South Bend. The 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 constructed, such as
<br />artificial stone, brick veneer, asbestos or asphalt shingles. Sandblasting or the use of harsh detergents shall not be used on masonry including
<br />brick, stucco, limestone, flagstone, and sandstone. This method of cleaning erodes the surface material and accelerates deterioration. Brick
<br />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 required to solve a
<br />specific problem that has been studied and identified. Coatings are frequently unnecessary and expensive, and can accelerate deterioration of
<br />the masonry. Mortar joints which do not need repointing should not be repointed. Repointing shall not be done with a mortar of high
<br />Portland cement content which can often create a bond that is stronger than the building material. This can cause deterioration as a result of
<br />the differing coefficient of expansion and the differing porosity of the material and the mortar which can result in serious damage to adjacent
<br />brick. Paint shall not be removed from masonry surfaces indiscriminately
<br />B. ROOFS AND ROOFING
<br />Roof shapes in the district encompass all the various designs found in residential structures: hipped, gable, gambrel, flat, and combinations of
<br />these. Roofs are covered with a variety of materials such as asphalt, asbestos, wood and slate shingles as well as clay tiles. Residences in
<br />most cases have wood facias with gutters and downspouts. The facias of some vinyl- or aluminum-sided houses are covered with the same
<br />material.
<br />Required
<br />The existing shape and materials of the roof shall be retained. All architectural features which give the roof its essential character shall be
<br />retained, including dormer windows, cupolas, cornices, brackets, chimneys, cresting and weather vanes.
<br />Recommended
<br />Whenever possible, the original shale and materials of the roof should be restored. Particular effort should be made to retain materials such
<br />as slate, tile and other unique materials not commonly found in new construction. Roof covering which is deteriorated beyond repair should
<br />be replaced with new material that matches as closely as possible the original in composition, size, shape, color, and texture. Gutters and
<br />downspouts are often a necessary adjunct in order to prevent deterioration of the structure; they should be maintained whenever possible
<br />replaced with a style comparable and suitable to the architectural period of the building.
<br />Prohibited
<br />Nothing shall be done to change the essential character of the roof as viewed from the thoroughfare by adding architectural features are large
<br />unsightly fixtures, or by using materials inappropriate to the style of the house. The roof shall not be stripped of architectural features
<br />important to its character.
<br />Not Recommended
<br />Overhanging eaves, soffits, brackets, and gables should not be covered or enclosed when adding metal or vinyl siding to a building.
<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 additional siding
<br />has been applied window trim has been covered. Many structures in the district have aluminum storm windows. Some houses retain wood
<br />framed storm windows.
<br />Required
<br />Original windows and doors shall be retained including sashes, lintels, sills, shutters, decorative glass, pediments, hoods, and hardware.
<br />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 and should be
<br />removable. If new sashes or doors are installed, the existing or original materials, design, and hardware should be used. When metal storm
<br />doors and windows are used, they should be painted, anodized or coated to match the existing. When awnings are used they should be of
<br />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 and door
<br />openings which would alter the scale and proportion of the building shall not be introduced. Inappropriate new window and door features,
<br />such as aluminum insulating glass combinations that require the removal of the original windows 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 existing character or
<br />appearance of the building.
<br />D. ENTRANCES, PORCHES, AND STEPS
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