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HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION OF SOUTH BEND AND ST. JOSEPH COUNTY
<br />Phone: 574/235.9371 Fax: 574/235.9021 Email: hpcsbsjc@southbendin.gov
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<br />propriate or was unavailable when the building was constructed. Sandblasting or the use of harsh detergents shall not be used on ma-
<br />sonry or stucco. This method of cleaning erodes the surface material and accelerates deterioration.
<br />Not Recommended
<br />Waterproof or water repellent coatings or surface consolidation treatments should not be used on masonry surfaces unless required to
<br />solve a specific problem that has been studied and identified. Coatings are frequently unnecessary and expensive, and can accelerate
<br />deterioration of the masonry. Mortar joints which do not need repointing should not be. Repointing should not be done with mortar
<br />of high Portland cement content, which can often create a bond that is stronger than the building materials. This can cause deteriora-
<br />tion as a result of the differing porosity of the material and the mortar – the end result being serious damage to adjacent brick. Paint
<br />should not be removed from masonry surfaces indiscriminately.
<br />B. ROOFSANDROOFING
<br />Roof shapes in the district encompass all the various designs found in residential structures: hipped, gable, gambrel, flat and combi-
<br />nations of these. Roofs are covered with a variety of materials such as asphalt and asbestos. Residences in most cases have wood
<br />facias with gutters and downspouts. The facias of some vinyl or aluminum sided houses are covered with the same 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,
<br />such as dormer windows, cornices, brackets and weather vanes, shall be retained.
<br />Recommended
<br />Whenever possible, the original shape and materials of the roof shall be restored. Roof covering which is deteriorated beyond repair
<br />should be replaced with new material which matches the original as closely as possible in composition, size, shape, color and texture.
<br />Gutters and downspouts are often a necessary adjunct in order to prevent deterioration of the structure. When necessary, gutters and
<br />downspouts shall be maintained or replaced with a style comparable and suitable to the architectural period.
<br />Prohibited
<br />Nothing shall be done to change the essential character of the roof as viewed from the thoroughfare such as adding architectural fea-
<br />tures or large unsightly fixtures, or using materials inappropriate to the style of the house. The roof shall not be stripped of architec-
<br />tural features important to its character.
<br />Not Recommended
<br />If aluminum or vinyl siding is added to a building, overhanging eaves and gables should not be covered or enclosed.
<br />C. WINDOWSANDDOORS
<br />Window and door frames are in most cases wood. Brick structures have stone sills and brick lintels. In some cases where synthetic
<br />siding has been applied, window trim has been covered. Many structures in the district have aluminum storm windows. Some houses
<br />retain wood framed storm windows.
<br />Required
<br />Original windows and doors including sash, lintels, sills, shutters, decorative glass, pediments, hoods and hardware shall be
<br />retained or when deteriorated beyond repair, 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. If new
<br />sash and doors are used, the existing or original materials, design, and hardware should be used. When metal storm doors are
<br />used, they should be painted, anodized or coated to match the existing. 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 should not be introduced. Inappropriate new
<br />window and door features, such as aluminum and insulating glass combinations that require removal of the original windows
<br />and doors, shall not be installed.
<br />Not Recommended
<br />Awnings, hoods or fake shutters made of metal, vinyl or fiberglass should not be used if they would detract from the existing charac-
<br />ter or appearance of the building.
<br />D. ENTRANCES, PORCHES AND STEPS
<br />Most houses in the district have either an open or a closed porch across the front. Most porches have either gabled, hipped, shed or
<br />flat roofs. Many frame porch floors and steps have been replaced with concrete.
<br />Required
<br />Existing or original porches and steps, including handrails, balusters, columns, brackets, tiles and roof decorations, shall be retained,
<br />or replaced with replicas of the same design and materials when deteriorated beyond repair. Porches and additions reflecting later
<br />architectural styles, and which are important to the building’s historical integrity, shall be retained.
<br />Recommended
<br />When enclosing porches for heat conservation or for other reasons, it should be done in a manner that does not alter the architectural
<br />or historical character of the building.
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