Case Study: Westford, MA

When a 2016 three-alarm fire severely damaged an 1893 colonial-style home in the center of Westford, Massachusetts, the whole town took notice – including the Grondine family. 

Historic Home Renovation with Everlast Siding Featured on “This Old House” TV Series

The home’s roof and attic suffered the most damage from the fire, but the entire structure required extensive renovations throughout to make it livable again. Plus, the cladding on the exterior experienced significant deterioration and needed to be replaced. The structure would need a high-performance, aesthetically pleasing siding material that would honor the past and withstand decades of sun and weather exposure. 

In 2021, after the town of Westford had purchased the property and developed a plan to restore it as a single-family home, the Grondines won the bid to purchase it. One of their first decisions was choosing Everlast® advanced composite siding to clad the entire exterior. 

“When we discovered Everlast siding, it felt like the perfect fit, and we could not find anything comparable afterward,” said homeowner Dianne Grondine. 

The family began planning the restoration in collaboration with the town’s historic commission. They also submitted an online inquiry to Silva Brothers Construction, who are long-time collaborators with the Emmy Award-winning home improvement series, “This Old House.” 

The owner, Charlie Silva, brought the show’s producer with him on the very first site visit, and the home’s restoration ultimately became a focal point of season 46 of “This Old House.” 

As the Grondines, Silva Brothers Construction, and “This Old House” crew worked to preserve the historic character of the home, they wanted to honor its original white, real-wood clapboard that had yellowed with age over time. The Grondines’ goal was to replicate this look without costly maintenance down the line. They selected Everlast siding in Antique Ivory, and the historic commission approved its use on the home. 

“With Antique Ivory, we were able to pay homage to the original white and how it aged into yellow,” added Grondine. “Once it was on site, there was no question. We were so excited about the color.” 

Everlast siding helped the family and crew achieve a historically accurate look with modern performance. The home was equipped with 32 squares of 7-inch Everlast lap siding. 

The product is designed for lifelong durability with minimal upkeep and engineered to endure harsh weather conditions and resist warping, cracking, and delamination. Whether facing gusty Massachusetts winds, heavy rain, or freeze-thaw cycles, Everlast siding maintains its structural integrity and aesthetic appeal. Everlast siding also features a CedarTouch® finish, delivering the authentic appearance of rough-sawn, top-grade cedar that the renovation required. 

“Minimal maintenance and no required painting were a big selling point for us,” added Grondine. 

The product’s exceptional durability comes from a proprietary composite substrate made with C Core®, a key element of its advanced mineral composite technology. This unique formulation makes Everlast siding stronger, more resilient, and more dimensionally stable than alternative siding options. 

The Everlast siding installation was completed in the fall of 2024 and featured on season 46, episode 4622 of “This Old House.” Upon completion, this historically inspired restoration successfully preserved the home’s legacy for another lifetime of use, all brought to life on national television.