Painting your Lustron, replacing the original windows and enclosing the porch can destroy the architectural integrity of your home.
- Forget to inspect your Lustron regularly. Don’t ignore rust or other damage to panels. This could be a sign of something else, such as a leaking roof that needs repair.
- Forget seasonal maintenance, such as cleaning out the gutters. Leaves and other debris can clog gutters and promote rust and leaks.
- Use abrasive materials or methods to clean panels, or remove paint or wall paper. Visit the Panels section in Help for Lustrons for more information on how to properly clean your panels.
- Paint the panels. Most paints won’t adhere well and then you will have do deal with peeling paint. Plus you lose one of the main benefits of a Lustron house - carefree walls, inside and out. In addition, by using a non-standard color, you damage the historic character of the house and compromise its historic integrity.
- Re-side the exterior with vinyl, aluminum, or other materials, or put up paneling or wallpaper on the interior - for the same reasons given for not painting.
- Pound nails in the walls or screw items to the walls - this can damage the panels. Instead, use magnets to hang pictures. Also, don’t try to hammer out dents in panels, you could do more damage.
- Install new mechanical systems that damage panels or are visually intrusive - for example, running exposed ductwork throughout the interior. To learn more about the mechanical systems, like Plumbing, Electrical and Heating, visit Help for Lustrons.
- Construct an addition. While it is possible to install compatible breezeways and patios using designs similar to those promoted by Lustron, a bedroom addition, living room expansion, or attached garage completely alter the character of the house and could damage panels and other original materials.
- Place holes in the ceiling because the heating system isn’t working. It is possible that, by adjusting the baffles and thermostat, your heating system could be as good as new. Review the Heating section of the website and work with a qualified contractor to assess what can be done to make the radiant heating system function.
- Replace your windows with new windows. The original aluminum windows are a character defining feature of the Lustron home. Replacing them with vinyl or other inappropriate windows will severely alter the historic character of the home. Review the Windows section in Meet the Lustrons and the Windows section in Help for Lustrons for information on how to repair your Lustron windows.
- Enclose your porch. The porch and inset entryway is a character defining feature of the home and should be preserved, enclosing it with glass or screens will diminish the historic character of the home.
July 28th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
My house is rusty I need to know what to do.
Thanks,
Leslie
August 3rd, 2009 at 2:34 pm
My Lustron was a rental for years before I bought it. There are many holes in the walls. How do I repair them?