October 5, 2009
The naked truth
Now that the vinyl siding is off and repairs to the clapboards are finished, the next step is to prepare for painting. And what a preparation it has been! Every scrap of paint has been removed from the house using liquid stripper. Windows have all been re-glazed. Nail holes have all been filled (there were many of these left where the old siding had been attached), and every inch of the place has been lightly sanded and made ready for paint application. How strange to see our house completely stripped, exposed in all its naked glory!
The paint crews have been working long days—even weekends—to keep up with deadlines. If you'd been at our house last week, no matter which window you looked out of, you'd have likely seen a painter on a ladder working right outside. Their vehicles were lined up and down our street (once again, our apologies to our saintly neighbors).
Even the most jaded of the commuters, children, and dog walkers who regularly pass our house paused to take a look in recent days. After all, how often do you see a house in the altogether like this?
(15) Comments
Comment on this BlogIt's interesting to learn that clapboards can be filled and reused once the siding over them has been removed. I'd been told that was not possible.
is it ok to drive by the worksite and check out the progress?
I'm always surprised that a complete refinishing job is cheaper that replacing the siding given that the most expensive aspect of this kind of work is the labor charge. Too bad you couldn't afford something like Hardyplank, it would be waaay more durable.
We are thinking about doing the same thing to our house. The aluminum siding needs to go!!! However, I was cautioned that the house would be drafty if we tried to strip it down to the original clapboards. Instead we were advised to replace the aluminum siding with fiber cement boards.
Did you look at using fiber cement boards? Have you heard of any insulation issue when you consider taking off the siding?
It's great to see people learning that the old-growth wood used in original, historic lumber is so durable and reusable. When properly maintained, it will last hundreds of years; much better than most artificial products. Fiber-cement board, while touted as being a better material, is not a suitable solution if original wood is present and salvageable. Try placing a piece of fiber-cememt board in the dirt for a couple of months (with rain and all soaking into it) and see how long-lasting it really is. Keep preserving - its the real "green" alternative.
Gillian,
How exciting! What fun to read the blogs, see the progress and to see hoe much the children have grown!
Great to "see" you, Bill and the kiddos!
dana (Ashland Montessori School)
Someone actually suggested hardyplank on an historic house? Egads. On a new house, yes, but not an historic one.
I'm surprised they used messy chemicals which took their valuable time to dry before painting. Speedheater Infrared Paint Remover is less messy and gives you a bare surface ready immediately for painting.
Does anyone remember the brand of the exterior paint system? BTW, I used to be a residential painting contractor, these guys truly take professional pride in their work!
Rhino Shield
What products/tools would you recommend for stripping the clapboard siding?
The exterior of my house was painted not too long ago and now the paint is cracking. Any explaination?
thank you very much to do this for us, that is very useful.
what was the exterion paint used on the house.
Rhino Shield of New England did this job back in 2009. I am in Newton and have recently looked at this home as I am interested in their services.
House still looks great, it is a gray color with white trim.