Openings: Doors and Windows
Any discussion of historic architecture would be incomplete without a discussion of openings. The size, scale, design, and detail of a building's doors and windows are important to the sense of the individual building and to the visual character of the district. For this reason, great care must be exercised when repairing openings and when designing new openings for both existing and new structures.
The design and detailing of new doors and windows on existing buildings should recognize the fact that many stock elements are not suitable for historic structures. The size and proportion of elements are often directly related to the architectural style of the building. Rules and conventions of design varied with building styles; thus it is important that openings retain the character of the individual building.
Types of openings can also be identified with the various styles. Certain types came into fashion and later fell from fashion. Thus, it can be seen that it would be inappropriate to use an opening type from the "wrong" period or style on a historic building. Often the design of a building's openings offers the only clue as to the building's date and style of construction. Important design features such as these must be preserved.
General Notes.
Doors generally open inward and are hung on the inner wall surface, allowing the wall thickness to be expressed in the exterior.
Rare or important examples of design or detailing should be preserved. The fact that these features have survived to the present, testifies that they do not impede contemporary function and that there is no justification for their alteration or removal.
Hardware (hinges, hooks, locks, etc.) forms an important part of the character of historic openings. The selection of specific hardware designs should be carefully related to the type of sash that the hardware is intended to serve. Many modern "reproduction" hinges do not accurately reproduce the types that they attempt to imitate. The design and use of hardware should adhere closely to other original examples. The use of polished and lacquered brass hardware is discouraged as it was rarely found in historic architecture. Where brass is to be kept bright, it may be done so by polishing.
Shutters are by definition always operable. The practice of fixing shutters to wall surfaces is strictly prohibited. All shutters shall be hung on hinges of the proper type and design. Once this requirement has been satisfied, shutters may be fixed in the closed position or held in open position with appropriate hardware.
Moldings used in reproducing or rehabilitating pre-World War II structures must match the existing moldings on the building. Where all original moldings have been removed, simple examples from buildings of a similar age and style should be used.
Size and Proportion.
The specific size and proportion of individual building elements makes a very significant difference in their appearance. Small differences in size may be readily apparent, particularly when they constitute a large proportional difference.
Certain elements are limited in their size because of historical building conventions and 19th century construction technology. In some instances, changes in building technology have resulted in corresponding changes in the prevalent sizes of particular elements. An example of this would be glass window panes or "lights." Early glass was limited in size, but improvements through the 19th century led to the general use of larger lights. Thus, the use of improperly sized lights would not be in character with the design of new sash for a historic building.
In general it can be said that buildings of various styles derive much of their effect and importance from the fact that various parts adhere to systems of scale and proportion that are unique to the respective styles. Tampering with these relationships can damage the historical sense of the building. Although the rules of scale and proportion for each of the many types and styles of buildings found in the local historic districts are too numerous to set down here, decisions are based upon the Commission's knowledge of typical models in each local historic district.
Non-Historic Opening Types.
Occasionally, modern functions require openings not found in historic architecture. These may include garage doors, doors that must swing outward to meet safety or code requirements, specialized vents or other special conditions. The goal of the HDLC is to integrate these types of openings into buildings in such a way as to maintain the historic character of the building and the neighborhood. If an opening can be made which mimics another opening type which could have reasonably existed on a particular building, then it may be desirable to do so. It should also be understood that in some cases, it may be impossible to make certain desired changes simply because the style or type of building does not lend itself to such modification. Where existing additions or modifications do not fit the pattern of historic development in the district, every effort should be made to minimize their impact rather than making the intrusion more prominent.
TYPES OF OPENINGS
DOORS
WINDOWS
SHUTTERS
SECURITY HARDWARE