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Fredericksburg ARB approves limited synthetic siding for 1312 Sophia Street with conditions
Summary
The Architectural Review Board approved replacing damaged aluminum and masonite siding at 1312 Sophia Street with LP SmartSide on side elevations, but required wood on the front facade and documentation of remaining historic boards. The decision followed public comment urging preservation and detailed contractor explanations of deterioration.
The Fredericksburg Architectural Review Board on Nov. 11 approved an application to replace existing aluminum and masonite siding at 1312 Sophia Street with LP SmartSide lap siding on the side elevations, while requiring wood to be used on the building’s front elevation.
The board’s motion—adopted unanimously—requires that remaining historic wood siding on the north and south elevations be fully revealed and photographed before removal; that front-facade siding be replaced in wood matching the dimensions, profile and reveal of historic siding; and that the replacement synthetic siding match the profile, reveal and have a smooth finish on the side elevations.
The vote came after staff recommended conditional approval, saying limited original wood siding remained on some elevations and that LP SmartSide (an engineered wood product) could be acceptable where original material is missing or compromised. Staff emphasized the need to document any historic material and to match original profiles and reveals.
Danae Peckler, speaking for the Historic Fredericksburg Foundation, urged the ARB to prioritize repair and in-kind replacement and to limit synthetic siding to secondary elevations, saying guidelines “plainly state do not use synthetic siding as a replacement for wood siding” on primary facades. The board’s final conditions reflect that concern by preserving wood on the front.
Michael King, owner of Ray Siding Company, told the board crews had revealed areas of deterioration—particularly around windows—and that LP SmartSide was chosen for durability and to limit future rot. King said the contractor would trim boards and use thinner backer or structural sheathing where necessary to maintain window reveals and match exposure.
Board members pressed for details on profile and thickness; several said they were not comfortable with synthetic products on primary elevations but were willing to allow LP SmartSide on secondary elevations provided the staff conditions were met.
The ARB recorded the approval with the stated conditions and thanked applicants and staff. Work will proceed consistent with the ARB’s documentation and match requirements.
