I have an 1890’s shingle style house that was covered in aluminum for about 30 years. I’ve removed the aluminum and am bringing this old lady back to her original splendor. There are two architectural details that were removed on each side of the gable arch, presumably when the aluminum was put on. For the life of me I can not figure out what was originally there. Anybody have a guess?
The cedar shingles on the gable appear to be original judging by the number of paint layers I removed from them. This is the North side of the house and the shingles were in amazingly good shape considering their age.
Mike K
Old House Remodeler
Aurora, IL
Replies
These may help.
They all show that it is typical for an arch to take its spring point upward off a freize or entablature type ornamented beam.
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To me it looks like the scale would be way off.Those opening are so small compared to the arch.To the OP try talking to the neighbors. At least one of them should have been around that long. And include any that you know that might have moved in the last few years that youcan contact.And check with the historical society or any neibhor hood restoration group. Local arch school. Even the newspaper. Never know when something might have happended on that street and a picture taken..
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
Good idea there.But I have seen a lot of arches spring with no trim from a detailed frieze over columns.As niocely as he has restored this place, there are a couple things that seem unballanced from the original IMO
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As I was up on the lift scraping and painting the house I got contacted by members of every family that owned the house, including the grand daughter of the original owner. Sadly, nobody can remember what was there before the aluminum.
Piffin,Thanks for the example photos. I tend to agree with your assessment. What confuses me is that there is just a thin trim board around the arch. Seems like such large elements on each side would take away from the geometry of the arch. I'll sketch it up and see what it looks like.
Sounds like Piffin is saying there should also be a curved trim around the arch.
In the "house front" pic ... is that how you painted it? I like it.
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No, I'm saying that the horizon=talportion that is benuded now should have a trim detail built up on it like the one in the interior photos with yellow painted walls behind.
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Ok, but all three of the pics you showed had the wings and the curved trim. Hey, I'm from Texas, what do I know?"Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Thanks,An architectural historian help us chose the colors. They are historically accurate.
I think Piffin is right with the yellow wall photo. Your house will look great with that type of detail.
Just a shot in the dark, but maybe, since the arch has no trim, neither did the sides. They may have had a flared shingle awning-like dealie that wouldn't work with the aluminum ? Nice house, and restoration, by the way. Outside of the gates the trucks were unloadin',
The weather was hot, a-nearly 90 degrees.
The man standin' next to me, his head was exploding,
Well, I was prayin' the pieces wouldn't fall on me.
My guess would be something like a mini roof projection to kick the rain away from the house. See pic:
BTW have you checked your local historical society to see if there are any old pics of the place?
Like others, i was thinking some kind of frieze board had been removed. My guess would be that it extended beyond the plane of the cedar shingles, and got in the way of the (groan) aluminum siding.
Seems like maybe the large arch below the ridge could use some dressing as well. Perhaps something with scalloped edges, since its so central and predominant. Would help tie it in to your porch arches, which do have a simple edging on them.
like what you've done so far . . . a vast improvement :)
BTW you should read this thread 88562.1 as it relates to your house.
Any chance of getting in touch with a previous owner who may remember, or their children who may have a photo? buic
I agree with Piffin, the queen anne style of the house demands lots of detailed trim wherever possible and the balance of any opening would have been trimmed with stacked moldings, or as Piffin says better, "entabulature".
Try to find some photos. Neighbors, old owners... someone probably has something with the front of the house in the background.
Mike: I get the impression that none of the arched openings are of the same vintage as the rest of the building. Look for signs of an early alteration.
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My guess would be a built up freize as well.
Not sure if you're looking for historical accuracy or not, but I'd be tempted to add trim around the arch with a "keystone" type detail at the top center....to tie in with the arches at entrances.
Looks like you're doing a dynamite job. Keep up the great work.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
Try to find old nail holes up there around the arch, paint or caulk lines on the siding--anything could be a clue to what was there before.
If it's a large town, check the public records office and see if you can find old building permits, plans, blueprints, anything that might help. You may be surprised at how much information has survived the years.
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