Really disappointing - an out building in Philipsburg

Before: Outbuilding with traditional faux brick siding.

After: Half finished, bland board and batten, detail lost.

I think we can all agree that the before photo shows a great old building in Philipsburg, Ontario with well thought out and executed detailing. The trim board above the windows connects them visually and the red faux brick siding lends old time character to the simple barn shape.

​The second photo shows a "ruining" in progress. The bland grey board and batten as an improvement is truly puzzling. I have admired this building for many years and so it is sad to see such an interesting example of the carpenter's craft being spoiled.

Rory McDonnell is a General Contractor, Licensed Carpenter and Architectural Designer with Build, a construction firm in Stratford, Ontario, specializing in new custom homes and renovations.