West Orange City Zoning Code

Quality materials help insure good appearance as the years pass. Labor is generally the most costly aspect of a construction project. If interior materials are used and fail, the cost of labor must be incurred again to correct material failure. Quality materials will age with dignity and represent a long-term commitment to the architectural quality of West Orange.

All well-finished, carefully crafted, traditional building material should be used in a manner sympathetic to the scale and the architectural character of the Valley and Main Street area.

Traditional red brick and natural stone masonry using traditional coursing treatments and laying techniques such as running bond, soldier coursing, Flemish bond, English bond, Ashlar and random Ashlar stone facing are all acceptable. Use of conventional size bricks is important. The brick-red traditional color correctly relates to existing brick work in appearance. White mortar creates too much contrast and a harsh texture. Mortar tinted the same color as the brick was used traditionally in fine brick masonry and creates a rich, solid feeling.

Milled and shaped lumber and siding have a long-standing precedence for use in urban settings as they were the most popular building material in the late 19th century.

Steel and iron finely-scaled, carefully finished steel and ironwork is historically appropriate. This material is traditionally used for sashwork, handrails, construction hardware and ornament. Black finish is recommended for all metalwork. Scroll and ornamental wrought-ironwork is inappropriate and not recommended. Decoration must enhance the functional nature and straightforward character of ironwork.

Glass is an historically appropriate material that contributes directly to added architectural interest, revealing interior activity to the passer-by and reflecting movement and animation.

Ceramic tiles were used in the later 19th century to introduce color accent to a building front. Care must be exercised not to over-do this kind of detailing.

Brick, clay and ceramic tile pavers.

Slate, terne-metal, glazed ceramic and tile roofs.

Concrete as lintels and columns.