Classic Revival
Modern Amenities And Traditional Style
Located in the historic West End of Hartford, this three-family house was in desperate need of attention. As is so often the case of houses from this era, many of the original details were covered by mid-to-late 20th-century “improvements.”
Classical Revival Gallery
In this instance, asbestos siding was the covering used. Once removed, wood clapboards were discovered but were badly damaged and unfortunately past salvaging. In lieu of replacing these with traditional wood clapboards, fiber-cement clapboards, a relatively new product on the market at that time, were used. (Fiber-cement is a green product made from portland cement and sawdust which has proven to be resistant to rot, paint peel, and insects.) All of the exterior trim was replicated out of solid PVC with the exception of the large front columns which were stripped to the bare wood, sanded, and painted.
Oxford Builders developed a plan to restore both structures while preserving their historic character and original materials. Structural supports were added inside the carriage house to shore up its walls and floors. The exterior clapboards were replaced with fiber-cement siding that matched that of the main house, while new roofs were installed over both structures—the main house's with emerald green shingles made from recycled rubber tires, and that of the carriage house with faux slate tiles made from recycled rubber tires.
In 2007, Oxford Builders received recognition from Hartford Preservation Alliance for its efforts in renovating this historic property.
