I’ve known this Second Empire style house in Portland, Maine, since a boyfriend lived there in the early 1990s. Even then, the fake brick asphalt siding was looking worn and dated. Fortunately, a few years ago someone recognized its potential and used historic photos to take it back to its intended character.
Hundreds of thousands of historic houses have been covered over with inappropriate “maintenance free” siding materials. This usually involves removing character-defining trim elements, as was done here. Using physical evidence left on the building, like paint marks and nail holes, and historic photos it is usually possible to replicate the missing trim when restoring.
The dirty secret of “maintenance free” products is that they are unrepairable. Once they are damaged, or just get old and deteriorate, they have to be replaced. Historic materials can be selectively repaired or replaced in-kind without having to completely replace the material. Our ancestors were less wasteful.
“Restoring Your Historic House, The Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners” is filled with information to help historic house owners restore their houses – including tips for removing inappropriate siding.
Signed and personalized copies of the award-winning and bestselling 720-page hardcover book are available directly from the author in our online bookshop at YourHistoricHouse.com/shop/.
Our shop also carries select preservation and restoration titles by other authors.
“Restoring Your Historic House” is also available in bookstores nationwide and from online retailers.
© Scott T. Hanson 2025.
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