I am in the middle of a major renovation converting a 60’s ranch into a modern cape. I am interested in adding some period architectural detail to the exterior trim such as Facia, Soffit, Rake Trim, Crown Moulding, etc. around the roof, windows, doors, and dormers. I am looking for a good reference to use for selecting the trim appropriate sizes, and ideas on putting it all together. Are there any good reference books and/or websites that show enough detail to help layout a trim plan?
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Cape refers to the shape of the house. Period style determines the trim type used. you refer to this as modern, so there would be few detailed trims, mostly flar stock similar to your ranch.
now if you are trying to emulate features from an earlier historical period and can name whether Colonial, Greek, or other, the advice could be more specific.
Taunton has a book out on Capes, BTW
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You are correct piffin, I meant to say that I was interested in colonial period trim details. I would like to add to the flat stock trim around the windows and doors with some sort of pediment above the windows. In addition, I am thinking about a small crown moulding between the freize board and the soffits (12" over hang) and a rake trim on top of the facia on the gable rake trim (8" overhang). I have framed all of the subfacia with 2 X 8 at the rafter tails and 2 X 6 at the gables and dormers. The home design includes 3 doghouse dormers in front and 2 sheds in the back. I am interested in looking at some details to determine proper proportions and scale allong with typical rake trim, freize board sizes, etc. I have Rob Thallon's "Graphic Guide to Frame Construction" and I guess I am wondering if there is a similar good reference on the trim details. I saw the Taunton book on Capes, do you know if it has any details that would help me decide how to trim the exterior?
Elements of Classical Architecture - Georges Gromort
but it has more detail than you are looking for, as do the Four Books of Architecture by Paladio or the Works of Vitruvius
A Field Guide to Amereican Architecture bt Carole rifkind has plenty of line drawings that can help but only a quarter of it applies to what you are doing in any way.
The two books ( Capes and Colonials) by Taunton can be inspiring but they are full of new copies of old and photos rather than specific line details. The text is enlightening though.
If you are not trying to make a serious study, you might consider just studying the catalouges of Fypon, Windsor One, And Princeton Moldings.
All three have done architectural studies of period details and represent those details acurately in the various lines they present.
Personally, my knowledge of the Colonial is limited, but I understand it to be simple in form because when they were founding a nation, beating back the wilderness, and oftimes barely surviving starvation and disease between wars of one kind or another, they didn't have so much time for the finery of curved, milled, details.
Currently, I am working on one that is a "Colonial Cape" that has been Greeked.
It was built in 1800 on very simple lines and when the next generation inherited it, the Greek Revival Style wascoming on strong. The first planner mill was set up in Maine in the 1820's making millwork available. Junior's wife said, "Oh Honey, I want ours to look as ggod as the Ames place down the road." So poor Mr C had to hire a crew of carpenters to replace the trim moldings and in some places overlay them. That was when the detailed crowns and backbanding on casings happened. a fancier shoe was added to the baseboard.
Then in 1973, the old place really got butchered by hacks. restoration now isa matter of investigating to see what happened when and why and deciding what to keep.
Maybe you can find some the above titles in your library.
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I got to thinking, since you sound like you are really pursuing some Greek detailing, you might look for "A Home for Everyman" by joyce K Bibber
ISBN 0-939761-10-6
It has a tremendous number of line drawings and text about proportions and the history of the Greek Revival influence.
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Thanks, piffin, that is exactly what I am looking for. I plan to put greek returns on the gable walls. Nothing exotic, just simple returns with a small hip roof to add a little touch of detail that most builders / homeowners won't take the time to do.
I'll look for " A home for Everyman". Do know if it is still in print or possibly I can check out our local library.
It was given me as a gift from a recent customer. It is a recent publishing, I believe, and references or repeats some drawings from much older books such as Benjamin Asher's works.
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