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PROJECT
| exteriors
Originally built in 1980, this condominium building in Salem, MA, recently underwent a complete building-envelope replacement.
Preserving A City’s Architectural Heritage Review board approves composite siding based on appearance and performance.
O
riginally built in 1980, a condominium build-
posite siding is said to have over the alternatives. Accord-
Salem’s Urban Renewal Area undergo an assessment by
ing in Salem, MA, showed an obvious need
ing to the manufacturer, Chelsea Building Products,
the Design Review Board (DRB). According to the City
for exterior renovations. The aging cedar
Oakmont, PA, Everlast replicates the look and texture of
of Salem Commercial Design Guidelines, using materials
siding had failed, and the appearance and performance
cedar without weathering and deterioration, preserving
not compatible with nearby buildings should be avoided,
of the building envelope had diminished significant-
the historic quality and overall character of the city of
as they will make a development “stand out and appear
ly. It recently underwent a complete building-envelope
Salem. It also offers water and fade resistance, requires no
jarring.” With Salem’s long history of wood buildings,
replacement using Everlast Advanced Composite Siding,
caulking or painting, and contains no organic material
the use of composite siding is only acceptable when, by
4 1/2-in. planks in Flagstone color.
that can rot or be attacked by wood-boring insects.
the DRB’s standards, the material displays the proper
For buildings located within this historic area of
As a result, the SRA voted unanimously to approve
Salem, the Salem Redevelopment Authority (SRA) typi-
the siding for the entire exterior replacement. The build-
The contractor on the job, Schernecker Property Ser-
cally requires that building owners only replace siding
ing now features more than 1,800 individual planks of
vices Inc. (SPS), Needham, MA, presented the proposed
with new cedar or a fiber-cement alternative. However, in
embossed Flagstone gray.
replacement of the condominium’s roof shingles, siding,
this case, when presented with Everlast composite siding, the SRA made an exception. The exception was made based on properties the com-
The SRA, which is in charge of “preserving the social fabric and architectural heritage of the city,” also ensures that all building exterior renovations located within
detailing and finishing.
decks, and windows to the Salem Redevelopment Authority. “We explored alternative options such as vinyl, cedar, COMMERCI A L A RCHI T EC T UREM AG A ZINE.COM
MAY 2019
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