Strange which emails I hang onto thinking that I'll return to them when 
time permits.  Stranger still the ones I actually get around to 
responding too...long have their relevance has faded into oblivion.

As well you know, what is wrong with it is that it is not history.  It 
relates neither the craft of the tradesmen, nor the good sense of the 
designer or owner, let alone the lumberman and the millwright.  It is 
an impression.  You may as well build a foam core box and glue photos 
of a cozy farmstead of yore, if all you want is something that looks 
like something to folks who never saw the real thing in the first place.

I got nothing against petrochemicals...when they become historic I'll 
deal with them...and perhaps even learn to appreciate the skills of the 
installers...if things have deteriorated to that point.  If these 
things gain significance, if they become the elements of material 
culture that express our time, that will be their value.  They will 
have value for this time.

But!  To replace wood siding or slate with plastic is an abomination.

(Falsetto) Oh! but it looks the same and its affordable and isn't it 
lovely to save these old buildings!  And it makes us all feel 
sooooooooo good that we didn't have to tear down old Mr Macgruder's 
place.  BS!  Save it or do not save it, but don't go providing cover 
and warm fuzzys to folks who haven't the spheres to do it right and 
bare the costs, or tear it down because it could not be done 
economically.

I gotta go.

-jc

On Wednesday, April 9, 2003, at 12:17  PM, Ken Follett wrote:

> Replica siding.  Don't get me started.
>
> What's wrong with it John?
> It can't be any worse than plastic slate, can it?
> You got something against using petrochemicals in histo presto work?
> I like it when you get started... don't stop, please, we need you.
>
> ][<en ;-)
>