Understanding the Use of Clapboards in Colonial American Architecture

Colonial American builders, particularly those in seventeenth-century New England, encountered unique challenges and opportunities in their building practices. They were influenced by the architectural traditions of their English heritage, but were also driven to adapt these practices to better fit their new environment. One notable adaptation was the use of clapboards, a building technique that became prevalent in colonial construction.

English Architectural Influences on Early American Building

At the time, English building practices typically featured exposed half-timbering on houses, with an infill between framing members covered by a troweled plaster-like substance known as parging. This technique was popular in England and provided a means of weatherproofing and aesthetic appeal to buildings.

However, in New England, the landscape and climate posed significant challenges to this traditional approach. In England, abundant sources of lime were readily available, making parging a practical and long-lasting solution. However, New England lacked sufficient lime for such a process. Additionally, the climate in New England was more extreme, further complicating the use of parging.

Adapting to Abundant Wood Resources

With wood being both abundant and inexpensive in New England, builders made a strategic decision to adapt their techniques. This decision was not unprecedented; similar transitions had occurred in other areas when materials and climates required different building solutions. In roofing, for example, the use of thatch gave way to wood shingles, which were more durable and better suited to the harsher weather conditions.

The Emergence of Clapboards

Clapboards, or weatherboarding, emerged as a more practical and effective solution in these circumstances. These boards were typically made from thin strips of wood that were nailed to the surfaces of buildings to create a weatherproof exterior. Unlike parging, clapboards were easier to install and maintain, and their simple design made them suitable for the New England climate.

Clapboards found particularly good use in outbuildings such as barns, as noted in England, where they were employed for their efficiency and effectiveness. The transition to using clapboards represented not only a pragmatic choice but also an innovative approach to architectural design in a new and often challenging environment.

Further Reading and Research

For a deeper understanding of this adaptation, Abbott Lowell Cummings' "The Framed Houses of Massachusetts Bay, 1625-1725" offers valuable insights. This comprehensive work explores the architectural evolution of New England's buildings, including the transition to clapboards from earlier practices like parging. If anyone has any more recent scholarship or studies from other colonies that further explore this topic, I would be interested to revisit and incorporate their findings.

For further reading:

Cummings, Abbott Lowell. "The Framed Houses of Massachusetts Bay, 1625-1725." Cambridge: Harvard, 1979. Pages 127-132.

If you have any recent studies or resources to share, please do not hesitate to share them!