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Town of Georgetown Design Guidelines

Book II: Design Review in Georgetown

1. Wood and Siding

Wood is an important building material used in the residential areas of the Historic Design District. To preserve the wood, its painted or stained finish should be maintained.

A. Preserve original siding.

1. Avoid removing siding that is in good condition or that can be repaired in place.
2. Remove only siding which is deteriorated and must be replaced.
3. If portions of wood siding must be replaced, be sure to match the style and lap dimensions of the original.

B. Protect wood features from deterioration.

1. Provide proper drainage and ventilation to minimize rot.
2. Maintain protective coatings to retard drying and ultraviolet damage. If the building was painted historically, it should remain painted, including all trim.

C. Repair wood features by patching, piecing-in, consolidating or otherwise reinforcing the wood.

1. Avoid the removal of damaged wood that can be repaired.

D. Use technical procedures that preserve, clean, refinish or repair historic materials and finishes.

1. Abrasive methods such as sandblasting are not appropriate, as it permanently erodes building materials and finishes and accelerates deterioration.
2. A firm experienced in the cleaning of historic buildings should be hired to advise on the best, lowest impact method of cleaning appropriate to the project.
3. Property owners also should note that early paint layers may be lead-based, in which case, special procedures are required for its treatment.
4. If siding materials that contain asbestos were used to cover original material, it is highly recommended that they be removed. Please note that asbestos is a hazardous material and may require removal by a qualified contractor.

E. Remove later covering materials that have not achieved historic significance.

1. If original materials are presently covered, consider exposing them. For example, asphalt siding that covers original wood siding is considered to be inappropriate.
2. Once the non-historic siding is removed, repair the original, underlying material.
3. If a structure has a stucco finish, removing the covering may be difficult and may not be desirable. Test the stucco to ensure that the original material underneath will not be damaged by removing the stucco.

F. Original building materials should not be covered.

1. Vinyl, aluminum, imitation brick, stucco or other composite materials are inappropriate.
2. If a property already has a non-historic building material covering the original, it is not appropriate to add another layer of new material, which would further obscure the original.

G. Where a covering of stucco has taken on historic significance, consider repairing damaged areas and periodically cleaning it.

1. New coatings of stucco should not be applied.

2. Paint

Wood residences and commercial buildings were usually painted to protect the wood. Only sheds and mills were left unfinished. The range of paint colors available historically was limited. Wood surfaces should be painted and in colors consistent with the historic color scheme.

A. Always prepare a good substrate.

1. Prior to painting, remove damaged or deteriorated paint only to the next intact layer, using the gentlest method possible.

B. Paint experts suggest that the wholesale removal of lead-based paint is not appropriate.

1. Lead-based paint is a toxic material that was widely used compounds in paint because of their excellent adhesion, drying and covering abilities.
2. Remove, control or manage the lead hazard rather than wholesale removal of historic features and finishes.
3. Careful cleaning and treatment of deteriorating paint, friction surfaces, surfaces accessible to young children and lead in soil is a basic approach.
4. Lead-based paint that is not causing a hazard is appropriate to remain on a building.

C. Use compatible paints.

1. Some latex paints will not bond well to earlier oil-based paints without a primer coat.

D. Using the historic color scheme is encouraged.

1. The DRC will not review actual color selections, however, if an historic scheme is not to be used, then consider the following:

• Generally, one muted color is used as a background, which unifies the composition.
• One or two colors are usually used for accent, to highlight details and trim.
• A single color scheme should be used for the entire exterior so upper and lower floors and subordinate wings of buildings are seen as components of a single structure.

E. Muted colors can help reduce the perceived size of a building.

3. Masonry Siding

Many of the buildings in the commercial area were built of brick or stone. Some of the more prominent houses in the residential areas were also constructed of masonry. Masonry construction should be preserved in its original condition.

A. Preserve masonry features that define the overall historic character of the building.

1. Examples are walls, cornices, pediments, steps and foundations.
2. Avoid rebuilding a major portion of exterior masonry walls that could be repaired. Reconstruction may result in a building which is no longer historic and is essentially new construction.

B. Preserve the original mortar joint and masonry unit size, the tooling and bonding patterns, coatings and color.

1. Original mortar, in good condition, should be preserved in place.

C. Repoint mortar joints where there is evidence of deterioration.

1. Duplicate the old mortar in strength, composition, color, texture, joint width and profile.
2. Mortar joints should be cleared with hand tools. Using electric saws and hammers to remove mortar can seriously damage the adjacent brick or stone.
3. Avoid using mortar with a high portland cement content, because it will be substantially harder than the brick and does not allow for expanding and contracting. Nor does it allow the mortar to breathe. The result will be deterioration of the brick itself.

D. Brick or stone that was not painted historically should not be painted.

1. Masonry naturally has a water-protective layer, or patina, to protect it from the elements. Painting masonry walls can seal in moisture already in the masonry, thereby not allowing it to breathe and causing extensive damage over the years.

E. Protect masonry from water deterioration.

1. Provide proper drainage so that water does not stand on flat, horizontal surfaces or accumulate in decorative features.
2. Provide positive drainage away from foundations to minimize rising moisture.

F. Clean masonry with the gentlest methods possible.

1. Clean masonry only as described below.
2. Test cleaning procedures in sample patches first.
3. Low pressure water and detergent cleaning, using bristle brushes, is encouraged.
4. Abrasive cleaning methods, such as sand blasting, will not be allowed for brick structures. They may remove the water-protective outer layer of the brick and thereby accelerate deterioration.

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4. Metals

Metals were used for a variety of applications including columns, storefronts, siding, roofing, window hoods and decorative features. Metal applications should be maintained where they exist(ed).

A. Preserve architectural metal features that contribute to the overall historic character of the building.

1. Examples are columns, roofs, window hoods and storefronts.

B. Protect metals from corrosion.

1. Provide proper drainage to minimize water retention.
2. Maintain protective coatings, such as paint, on exposed metals.

C. Repair metal features by patching, splicing or otherwise reinforcing the original metal whenever possible.

D. Use the gentlest cleaning method possible when removing deteriorated paint or rust from metal surfaces.

1. Harsh abrasive cleaning methods should be avoided.

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5. Building Materials

Traditionally, a limited palette of building materials-wood, brick and stone- was used in Georgetown. Accessory structures were often constructed of a limited range of materials that were rustic and utilitarian in character. The type of materials used should be selected from those used historically in the community and specifically in the Character Area. Also, new materials should have a simple finish, similar to those seen historically.

A. Maintain the existing range of exterior wall materials found throughout the Historic Design District.

1. Appropriate materials for primary structures include horizontal lap siding, board-and-batten, shingles (in limited applications), brick and stone.
2. Stucco will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
3. Reflective materials, such as mirrored glass or polished metals, are inappropriate.
4. Rustic shakes are inappropriate.
5. Corrugated metal may be considered on accessory structures and as additive forms on commercial buildings.

B. Exterior wood finishes should appear similar to those used historically.

1. Maintain protective coatings of paint or stain on exterior wood siding.
2. The lap dimensions of siding should be similar to that found traditionally (i.e., four to five inches of lap exposure).

C. Masonry should appear similar to that used historically in texture and color.

1. Masonry unit sizes should be similar to those found traditionally.
2. Mortar joints should appear similar in color, texture and joint width, to those seen historically.

D. Newer, synthetic materials may be considered, if they appear similar in character and detailing to traditional building materials.

1. New materials must have a demonstrated durability in this climate and have the ability to be repaired under reasonable conditions.
2. Details of synthetic siding should match that of traditional wood siding. The lap dimensions of synthetic siding should be similar to that of historic wood-lap siding, which are typically four to five inches of exposure.
3. Materials such as aluminum and vinyl are inappropriate as substitute materials.
4. Physical samples of any synthetic materials must be provided to the Design Review Commission, and their use will be approved on a case-by-case basis.

E. For larger buildings and projects on large parcels, consider a combination of appropriate materials as a means to reduce the apparent size of the project.

F. Materials should be applied in a manner similar to that used historically.

1. For example, brick veneer should not "float" above a wood clapboard wall.
2. Traditionally, heavier, coarser materials (rusticated stone and brick) were used as foundations.
3. More finished masonry or wood was used for primary walls, and wood was used for gable ends, roofs and details.
4. This "hierarchy" of materials should be continued.

6. Roof Materials

A variety of roof materials exist in the Historic Design District. Today, the use of composition shingles dominates. Historic research indicates that wood shingles and standing seam metal roofs were all seen in Georgetown. Roof materials are major elements in the street scene and contribute to the character of individual building styles. However, they are the most susceptible to deterioration, and their replacement may become necessary in time. Roof materials should be used in a manner similar to that seen historically and chosen based on its compatible appearance to the structure and the Character Area.

A. Preserve original roof materials.

1. Avoid removing roof material that is in good condition.
2. It is especially important to preserve historic materials, or replace them with similar materials when necessary.

B. Replacement roof materials for an historic structure should convey a size and texture similar to those used traditionally.

1. Roof materials should be earth tones and have a matte, non-reflective finish.
2. When choosing a roof replacement material the architectural style of the structure should be considered.
3. Where replacement is necessary, use similar materials to that seen historically. Wood shingles are generally appropriate for most buildings in Georgetown.
4. Composite shingles may be considered, if they are colored in earth tones.

C. Roof materials on new buildings should appear similar to those used traditionally.

1. Composite shingles in muted colors are appropriate.
2. Sawn wood shingles are appropriate for most building types. Wood shakes are inappropriate.
3. Corrugated metal may be appropriate for accessory buildings.

D. If they are to be used, metal roofs should be applied and detailed in a manner that does not distract from the historic appearance of the building.

1. Metal roof materials should be earth tones and have a matte, non-reflective finish.
2. Seams should be of a thin profile.
3. The edges of a standing seam metal roof should be bent downward at the edges of the roof and have a very slight overhang. In most cases the gutters should hide this detail.
4. Note that metal roofs work best on homes with front-facing gable roofs, small homes or homes with simple roof forms.
5. Many modern metal roofing materials do not have proportions that are appropriate to the historic character of the town and are inappropriate.
6. Physical samples of any metal roofing materials must be provided to the DRC, and their use will be approved on a case-by-case basis.
   

Book 2 Chapter 7 | Book 2 Chapter 9

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