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Board debates windows, siding materials and Preservation Month outreach
Summary
Board members discussed appropriate window products for historic homes, concerns about fiber-cement siding and EIFS, an ongoing appeal involving window replacements, and plans for Preservation Month outreach including mailing a PHW flyer and sourcing a plaque foundry.
Board members at the April 17 Winchester Board of Architectural Review meeting discussed broader policy and guidance issues including acceptable window products, siding materials, an ongoing appeal related to a Window World installation, and plans for Preservation Month outreach.
Board members described recent outreach with window companies and differing product qualities. One member, who has solicited multiple vendors, said solid-wood windows are increasingly rare from some manufacturers and that some high-end products — notably Marvin’s Ultimate and Integrity lines — more closely replicate historic wood windows because of horizontal jointing and cladding options. The board discussed a pending appeal to city council over a prior denial of vinyl windows; staff said the council may consider an alternative approval using Marvin Ultimate Wood windows so the project would not need to return to the BAR if council approves that alternative.
On siding, members reiterated reluctance to approve James Hardie (fiber-cement) on homes that retain original materials because it changes shadow lines and often does not replicate wood correctly. One member said, “I don’t think Hardie should be in any historic zone. It’s never installed correctly… it ends up not looking right.” Staff said Hardie may be acceptable in some cases where original siding is already lost but that corners, trim and reveal details must be carefully addressed.
Members also raised material-performance concerns about EIFS versus brick and stressed constructability constraints in tight urban sites. A staff member said the department has contacted the Department of Historic Resources (DHR) to check whether certain modern replacement windows have been accepted in other DHR tax-credit projects and offered to follow up with the DHR regional representative.
The board discussed Preservation Month outreach: staff and a partner (Preservation of Historic Winchester) plan to mail a PHW-produced flyer to property owners in the historic district, and the board is seeking a new foundry to produce historic plaques after the previous vendor closed. Staff invited ideas for additional May events.
No formal policy changes were adopted during the meeting; the conversation centered on guidance, case precedents, and staff follow-up with DHR and council where appeals are pending.
