Rockton has a whole historic district of old houses, with a lot of newer subdivisions around it. Martin Exteriors Roofing & Siding repairs both by replacing the damaged boards or sections, matched to the house, with James Hardie fiber cement first and vinyl as the other main option. We never patch siding with sealant or filler. Our Roscoe office is about 10 minutes from downtown, the inspection is free, and (815) 624-6278 is answered 24/7.
A National Register Historic District
William Talcott founded Rockton in 1835 where the Pecatonica runs into the Rock River, and the old village grew up around that spot. The Rockton Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978, covers about 152 acres roughly bounded by River, Warren, Cherry and West streets. It includes 208 buildings, most of them homes, and Greek Revival is its main style, with 51 buildings in it.
Repairing Siding on a Greek Revival House
Greek Revival houses get their look from the trim as much as the siding: wide corner boards, a broad frieze board under the eaves, and narrow, evenly spaced clapboard. A repair that ignores those details stands out. When we fix one of these walls, we:
- Match the lap. New boards are set to the same exposure as the old clapboard, so the lines run straight across the repair.
- Keep the trim. Corner boards and frieze boards that have split or rotted are replaced at the same width, not covered with capping.
- Fix the cause. On old houses, rot usually comes from water at a porch roof, a sill or a failed paint line. We correct that before the new boards go on.
Where the original wood is beyond saving, James Hardie smooth lap can be set to match the old exposure and painted to match, and it will not rot in the same spot again.
Big Trees and River Damp
Mature trees are a big part of what makes Rockton feel like Rockton. They also keep walls shaded and damp, drop limbs in storms and draw woodpeckers to wood siding. Near the river, north walls can stay wet for days. On these lots, look for swollen or soft boards low on the wall, green growth that hides rot, and holes from birds. We replace damaged boards instead of plugging them and check the wrap behind them. See woodpecker siding damage repair.
Builder Vinyl Off Hononegah and Prairie Hill Road
Most Rockton homes are newer than the downtown suggests. Census estimates for 2020 to 2024 put the median home at 1996, and about 58% of homes went up from 1990 through 2009, much of that in the neighborhoods off Hononegah Road, Prairie Hill Road and Blackhawk Boulevard. That builder vinyl is now roughly 15 to 35 years old. The typical problems are panels cracked by mowers and cold weather impacts, loose bottoms on exposed walls, and sun faded walls that no longer match the shaded ones. We replace the damaged panels and, if a match is not possible, suggest ending the change at an outside corner, where it does not show.
Why Rockton Homeowners Call Martin
- Our Roscoe office is about 10 minutes away, and we are a proud sponsor of Hononegah Community High School.
- Certified James Hardie Installer and CertainTeed 5-Star Contractor.
- Voted What Rocks Rockford Best Siding, 2021 to 2025.
- Helped thousands of homeowners since 2006, and an Inc. 5000 Company.
- Free inspections, year round installs and phones answered 24/7.
If a repair becomes new siding, most siding jobs take 1 to 2 days, and financing is available as low as $149/month for qualified buyers. See financing options.
More Rockton Pages
See Rockton siding for full projects, our Rockton roofing page and roof repair in Rockton. Our siding repair page explains the process, and James Hardie siding covers the product. Book a free inspection or call (815) 624-6278.
Rockton Siding Repair FAQ
Can you repair clapboard on an older house in the Rockton Historic District?
Yes. We set new boards to the same exposure as the old clapboard, replace split corner and frieze boards at the same width, and fix the water problem that caused the damage.
Will fiber cement look right on a Greek Revival house?
Smooth James Hardie lap can be set to the same exposure as the original clapboard and painted to match, so it reads like the old wood and will not rot in the same spot.
Why does the siding on my shaded Rockton lot keep going soft?
Shade and river damp keep the wall wet. We replace the soft boards, check the wrap behind them, and often suggest fiber cement for those walls.
My 1990s house off Hononegah Road has cracked vinyl. Is that a quick fix?
Usually. We replace the cracked panels and relock any that are loose. If your color is no longer made, we tell you before ordering.
How far is Rockton from your office?
About 10 minutes from our main office at 11704 Main St in Roscoe. Call (815) 624-6278, 24/7.
