Rhode Island’s Oakland Farms condo community boasts a rich history dating back to 1644 when Thomas Cornell was granted 100 acres of land in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. It became the largest horse-driving ring in America, hosting polo matches and breeding show horses. By 1984, the farm was purchased to become a complex of condominiums, committed to preserving key elements of its history, such as original stone horse fences and green pastoral landscapes.
In 2022, the exteriors of the 30 condos needed an update. In addition to looking terribly discolored, the cedar shingles were cupped, cracked, and many of the shingles were falling off the buildings. Jean Sanders, Condo Association President of Oakland Farms II, Inc., and the other residents knew they needed to replace the deteriorated cedar shingles that had once given each unit its native New England look.
After lots of research and consideration with the general contractor, the authentic composite shingle Beach House Shake from Tando Composites emerged as the ideal choice. Unlike natural cedar shingles, the composite material would not discolor or crack but would look like the day it was installed for the life of the structure.
THE RIGHT LOOK
Sanders describes the decision-making process: “We looked at fresh natural cedar, which had already rotted here once, and an imitation cedar that was very flat, monochromatic, and not realistic. Then our construction team, Schernecker Property Services (SPS), presented Beach House Shake, a composite shingle. It has variations, saw cuts, and texture that looks just like natural cedar shingles minus all the problems.” She also noted the product’s corner pieces that give the chimneys a finished look.
Max Barrett, project manager at SPS, found Beach House Shake to be more cost-effective in terms of installation and a long-term investment for property owners. He said the most labor-intensive part of the job was ripping the old, moisture-damaged cedar off the 30 condos.
“We like to offer the customer less maintenance and costs over time. Beach House Shake’s efficiency in installation allowed the project to proceed quickly with minimal disruption to homeowners. It looks like individual shingles that were nailed in,” said Barrett.
For the major exterior renovation, research conducted by the condo association revealed several compelling reasons to opt for composite shingles over natural cedar shingles. Ralph Bruno, CEO of Tando Composites, the manufacturer of Beach House Shake, emphasized the architectural precision and longevity of the product. According to Bruno, “Oakland Farms II in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, is a flagship job for Beach House Shake for many reasons. They recognized that not only is today’s cedar not what old growth cedar used to be, they also did their research and understood that composite technology is revolutionizing exteriors.”
As the impressive 30-condo upgrade from natural cedar to composite siding is being completed, not only is the community’s historic aesthetic preserved but the long-term durability will help ensure its legacy continues for generations to come.
Tando Composites is a leader in composite cladding for low-maintenance exteriors while preserving the natural beauty of cedar and stone. For more, visit www.tandocomposites.com.