Victorian Exuberance in Portland, Maine. Elaborate wood trim elements are frequently a significant feature on Victorian era houses, giving them much of their exuberance. The development of steam-powered mills during the period allowed for efficient and affordable production of fancy trim giving middle-class homeowners access to a level of ornamental detail previously only available to the wealthy.
Most of this trim was made from old-growth wood, which is dense and naturally rot resistant. Even in cases where it has experienced long periods of neglect, this trim is often in remarkably good condition because of the quality of the wood it is made from. When deterioration does happen, it is important to repair and/or replace the elements with new work of the same quality in materials and workmanship.
This topic is covered in detail in Chapter 13 of “Restoring Your Historic House, The Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners.”
Signed and personalized copies of the award-winning and bestselling 720-page hardcover book are available from the author at YourHistoricHouse.com/shop/.
Our shop also carries select preservation and restoration titles by other authors. Save on cost and shipping with our multi-book combo packs!
“Restoring Your Historic House is also available in bookstores and from online retailers.
© Scott T. Hanson 2025.
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