We are still in a holding pattern with the short list and waiting for updated scopes and sample contracts. We have one response and have had some back and forth with the other candidates and are expecting to get the details today so we can make a choice and get the ball rolling.
I am currently on the hunt for salvaged lap (aka bevel of clapboard) cedar siding from the 1920’s. The challenge we have is that the addition will require about 200 sq feet (or more) of lap siding that that we don’t have. Our original siding has a groove inset which controls the exposure on each course of the siding. When we rescued the front porch i wasn’t able to find matching siding so the front of the porch use modern siding which is a little different and has not groove (no jokes about finding my groove please). It wouldn’t work to mix and match the siding along one side of the house so if we can’t find salvage to match, we will have to considering using modern siding on front and back and then use the existing siding to make up what we need along the sides of the house. I am not a fan of that idea but it is more palatable to me than replacing all of our lap siding. This works under the front steps because there are big shingled posts on the corners and the different styles of lap siding don’t get close to each other and you don’t actually get a good view of the siding anyway.
Yesterday i went for a drive to check out Surrey New and Used to look for salvaged lap siding. The start was not auspicious as i was 20 minutes into a 35 minute drive when i realized i had forgotten my sample piece. I rarely get out to Surrey and had only taken a brief look at the Google Map so I also took the wrong exit. I was looking for the 176th st exit but apparently 176th is also HWY 15 so when i wasn’t seeing any signs i wanted, i bailed. Eventually i was back on track but then got distracted by a big movie set built at the park across the road so i drove right past. Once i got there i had a good but fruitless wander around. They have lots of doors, vinyl windows and hardware but not a ton of vintage architectural or other salvage which was a little disappointing. They did have some kitchen cabinets, some salvaged vintage windows and stained glass, a few clawfoot tubs in need of some love, sinks, and toilets but that was about it. After a wander up and down and across the yard a few times i stopped a guy and he told me that they only have vinyl siding. I suppose i should have called first.
There used to be an excellent salvage place in Burnaby called Jack’s. It might have been Jack’s New and Used, or Jack’s Salvage or something but it was a treasure chest for old house nerds like us. When they renovated old buildings and UBC, Jack’s salvaged old doors and transoms and huge pieces of century old wood. They had a shed that was full of long pieces of the sort of fir floors we have throughout our house and the cedar lap siding i need. They had drawers and cabinets and walls full of vintage crystal and ceramic door handles, brass vent covers, window casements, and a huge collection of salvaged mantle pieces. We only discovered it was gone last summer when we rode past where it used to be. Apparently the property is owned by the building supply company across the road and they needed to expand. I have no idea what happened to all of the material they had but it will be missed.
So today i look up every home demolition, unbuilder, and salvage company i can find in the lower mainland and send them photos of what i need. Keep your eyes peeled.
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