Guidelines for Rehabilitating Existing Historic Storefronts
1. Become familiar with the style of your building and the role
of the storefront in the overall design. Don't "early up"
a front. Avoid stock "lumberyard colonial" detailing
such as coach lanterns, mansard overhangings, wood shakes, nonoperable
shutters and small paned windows except where they existed historically.
2. Preserve the storefront's character even though there is a
new use on the interior. If less exposed window area is desirable,
consider the use of interior blinds and insulating curtains rather
than altering the existing historic fabric.
3. Avoid use of materials that were unavailable when the storefront
was constructed; this includes vinyl and aluminum siding, anodized
aluminum, mirrored or tinted glass, artificial stone, and brick
veneer.
4. Choose paint colors based on the buildings historical appearance.
In general do not coat surfaces that have never been painted.
For 19th century storefronts, contrasting colors may be appropriate,
but avoid too many different colors on a single facade.
The important key to a successful rehabilitation of a historic
commercial building is planning and selecting treatments that
are sensitive to the architectural character of the storefront.
 Storefronts of the 1940s, 50s, and 60s were frequently installed by attaching studs or a metal grid over an early front and applying new covering materals. Photo: Bob Dunn. |
As a first step, it is therefore essential to identify and evaluate
the existing storefront's construction materials; architectural
features; and the relationship of those features to the upper
stories. This evaluation will permit a better understanding
of the storefront's role in, and significance to, the overall
design of the building. A second and equally important step in
planning the rehabilitation work is a careful examination of the
storefront's physical conditions to determine the extent and nature
of rehabilitation work needed. In most cases, this
examination is best undertaken by a qualified professional.
The following questions should be taken into consideration in
this two-part evaluation:
Construction Materials, Features, and Design Relationships
Storefront's Construction Materials: What are the construction
materials? Wood? Metal? Brick or other masonry? A combination?
Storefront's Architectural Features: What are the various architectural
features comprising the storefront and how are they arranged in
relationship to each other?
Supporting Columns/Piers:
What do the columns or piers supporting the storefront look like?
Are they heavy or light in appearance? Are they flush with the
windows or do they protrude? Are they all structural elements
or are some columns decorative?
Display Windows and Transoms:
 By evaluating the components of a storefront as well as their existing condition, a successful rehabilitation is more likely. Photo: HABS collection, NPS. |
Are the display windows and transoms single panes of glass or
are they subdivided? Are they flush with the facade or are they
recessed? What is the proportion of area between the display windows
and transom? Are there window openings in the base panels to allow
natural light into the basement?
Entrances:
Are the entrances centered? Are they recessed? Is one entrance
more prominent than the others? How is the primary retail entrance
differentiated from other entrances? Is
there evidence that new entrances have been added or have some
been relocated? Are the doors original or are they later replacements?
"Rehabilitating Historic Storefronts" an Historic Preservation Brief
