Case Study: Milton, FL

Martha K. Allen has been an active, full-time realtor in Northwest Florida since 1997. As a business owner, she was seeking a new office building to call her own and support her real estate company. This led Allen to the historical community of Milton, Florida, and a two-story home, originally built in 1855, called Chaffin House.

Historic Chaffin House Restored with Everlast^® Siding for Timeless Look and Minimal Maintenance

She soon realized the space had more potential than just an office. “Shop, dine, and unwind” was the new vision, with space for retail, coffee, food, and eventually a liquor and beer license.

However, historic buildings serve as landmarks of the past, helping to maintain a community’s unique sense of character. Therefore, the 19th-century building required both interior and exterior renovations to meet today’s more rigorous building codes. The exterior siding was one of the first components of the structure that needed attention; the existing vinyl siding had experienced decades of wear and tear, and wind had blown off a portion of the siding on the back side.

Given the building was located in a historic community, Allen had to work with the local historic district board. The board initially requested she refinish the original wood cladding that was underneath the failed vinyl siding. That was not an option, according to Allen, so the historic district eventually approved the use of fiber cement siding for the job. However, Allen did not want to deal with costly maintenance and painting of the fiber cement siding. Therefore, the contractor suggested a lower-maintenance, higher-performing product called Everlast^® advanced composite siding. Everlast siding was ideal for Allen, who wanted a one-and-done material that did not require caulking or painting.

“The selling point for me was that it is everlasting,” said Allen. “I fell in love with the charm and history of this building, and I knew from the start that I wanted to restore it in a way that honored its past. Everlast siding helped us achieve that.”

During the renovation, Allen was adamant about finding a product that would not need consistent maintenance. She and the project team selected 7" Everlast lap siding in Natural White with 5½" cellular casing and 5½" cellular outside corner trim accessories.

Everlast siding is designed for lifelong durability with minimal upkeep, eliminating the costly need for repainting every five to ten years. The products are engineered to endure harsh weather conditions, and resist warping, cracking, and delamination. Whether facing high winds, heavy rain, or freeze-thaw cycles, it maintains its structural integrity and aesthetic appeal. It also features a CedarTouch^® finish, delivering the authentic appearance of rough-sawn, top-grade cedar, offering homeowners and business owners the beauty of wood without the costly maintenance challenges.

“I am very impressed with the Everlast siding. It is amazing,” added Allen.

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, providing a robust solution for historic restorations.

“I have been restoring homes since 2000 and I am a firm believer in buying the best product you can,” said Allen. “That is what you get with Everlast siding. The product needs to be everywhere.”

The siding contractor completed the installation of Everlast siding in December 2024.