Facade Cladding
In general, cladding materials were chosen for their appropriateness to the various building types. New materials may be introduced if they closely emulate the look and feel of traditional materials. Any materials should be chosen with consideration given to the strength, appearance, and life cycle costing. Where trim adds significant character of the facade, it should be retained. When a group of structures is present, the materials should match other structures in the group. No more than four basic materials should be used in any facade. Materials should not be changed in the same plane, unless separated by a detail, such as a reveal. See the end of this document for examples.
Residential Structures
Existing structures are clad in various types of wood siding or face red brick.
Appropriate Cladding.
- Wood or pressed wood siding
- Vinyl siding
- Residentially sized brick
- Steel siding
- Aluminum siding
Wood siding, “builder’s grade” or better, or vinyl siding should be used. Siding must have a horizontal lap, a flat finish, and a 4- or 5-inch vertical exposure.
For masonry, a residentially sized brick—the standard 4-inch by 8-inch unit—is appropriate when a dark or mid-range shade of red is used. Bricks should be horizontally oriented, and, where brick trim is used, it should match in color and size and maintain a regular rectangular shape. Stone or other sizes of bricks may be inappropriate, depending on the scale of the building.
Inappropriate Cladding.
- Heavily rusticated stone veneer
- Exterior Insulation Finish System (EIFS)
- Glass curtain wall
- Concrete block
Small Commercial, Single and Connected
The existing buildings of this type are residential brick, either red or warm tan in color; painted concrete masonry units; stone panels; or an exterior insulation finish system.
Appropriate Cladding.
- Residentially sized brick
- EIFS (For Example: Dryvit)
- Concrete masonry units with ground faced finishes
- Stone facing material
For masonry, residentially sized brick is appropriate in either a red or warm tan color. Brick trim should be used to complement the color, scale, and style of the building. Glazed brick is available, which would allow for a greater sense of identity, though a smaller scale unit should still be used.
For multi-story buildings, a larger masonry unit, such as concrete masonry units (CMU) or stone-finished concrete units, might be appropriate. This design alternative requires a similar increase in the scale of trim and details as compared to neighboring buildings. Structures in the group should be made visually distinct from each other through the use of materials, detailing, or color.