Case Studies

Oakland Farm Condo Refresh

 Preserving the Historic Aesthetic at Rhode Island’s Oakland Farm: Upgrading 30 Condo Exteriors from Natural Cedar to Beach House Shake Composite Shingles 

Project Overview:

Rhode Island's Oakland Farms condo community boasts a rich history dating back to 1644 when Thomas Cornell was granted 100 acres of land in Portsmouth, RI. That property eventually became Oakland Farms. In the late 19th century, Cornelius Vanderbilt assumed ownership of the remarkable estate and brought his vision of a “Gentleman’s Farm” to life.

Under the Vanderbilt family, Oakland Farms became the largest horse-driving ring in America, hosting polo matches and breeding show horses. By 1984, the farm was purchased to become a complex of condominiums, committed to preserving key elements of its history, such as original stone horse fences and green pastoral landscapes.

Jean Sanders, Condo Association President of Oakland Farms II describes the historic property as a place of solitude, close to Rhode Island’s coastline while tucked into a rural woodland environment. It was this beauty that attracted Sanders to Oakland Farms ten years ago. In 2022, the exteriors of the 30 homes needed an update. In addition to looking terribly discolored, the cedar shingles were cupped, cracked, and many of the shingles were falling off the buildings. Sanders, and the other residents of Oakland Farms II, knew they needed to replace the deteriorated cedar shingles that had once given each unit its native New England look. 

Before utilizing Beach House Shake on their condo siding

Bill Flynn, another Oakland Farms II resident, attested to the need for the upgrade. "The cedar shakes had given out to premature wear and tear." While doing their research, the residents learned that today’s natural cedar shingles are new growth and are prone to faster rot, curling, and discoloration than old growth cedar.

The challenge they faced was finding a cedar shingle replacement that would have the undeniable appearance of natural cedar shingles that would preserve the historic aesthetic that is part of the fabric of Oakland Farms. The association was not willing to compromise on this beauty. After lots of research and thorough consideration, Beach House Shake, the authentic composite shingle, emerged as the ideal choice. In addition to the appearance the homeowners demanded, Beach House Shake, unlike natural cedar shingles, will not discolor. Beach House Shake has unparalleled durability and will stay looking like the day it was installed for the life of the home. Sanders explained the decision-making process:

“The original shingles were in mixed condition depending on the amount of exposure. None of the shingles on my home had been replaced, so there were some areas where they were curled and felt brittle, like toast," she explained. "We looked at fresh natural cedar, which had already rotted here once, and an imitation cedar that was very flat, monochromatic, and not realistic to the homeowners. Then our construction team, Schernecker Property Services (SPS), presented Beach House Shake, a composite shingle. It has variations and texture that looks just like natural cedar shingles minus all the problems." She also noted the product’s corner pieces that give the chimneys a finished look.

Caroline Crouch, 90, an original resident of Oakland Farms II, commented that she loves the area’s history, but realizes the need for modernization. “I’ve seen repairs and so much work over the 28 years I’ve lived here,” Crouch said. “Technology has evolved over the years and why labor over your home when this composite looks so authentically like cedar.”

Her daughter-in-law, Lori Corbishley, who moved to Oakland Farms with her husband eight years ago, said, "People come in and look at the newly installed Beach House Shake and say, 'We wish we had done this ourselves.' I think everyone recognizes this is the wave of the future, so we're pleased that we did it."

Another pivotal factor in the decision-making process was the range of Beach House Shake natural colors available. The community ultimately chose the “Hatteras”, a rich gray natural shingle that looks like perfectly weathered eastern white cedar. The runner up was, “Atlantica” a light silvery grey which perfectly replicates bleach oil cedar shingles that are so popular on the Cape.

Research conducted by the condo association revealed several compelling reasons to opt for composite shingles over natural cedar shingles. Ralph Bruno, CEO of Tando Composites, the manufacturer of Beach House Shake, emphasized the architectural precision and longevity of the product. According to Bruno, “Oakland Farms II in Portsmouth, RI, is a flagship job for Beach House Shake for many reasons. This is a very smart and progressive homeowners association. They recognized that not only is today’s cedar not what old growth cedar used to be, they also did their research and understood that composite technology is revolutionizing home exteriors.”

Max Barrett, Project Manager at SPS, found Beach House Shake to be more cost-effective in terms of installation and a long-term investment for homeowners.

“We like to offer the customer less maintenance and costs over time. Beach House Shake’s efficiency in installation allowed the project to proceed quickly with minimal disruption to homeowners. It looks like individual shingles that were nailed in,” said Barrett.

Luke Poisson, Assistant Project Manager at SPS, echoed the sentiments of the installation crew. “Its composite structure and pre-designated cut lines streamlined the process, making it a significantly faster installation than traditional cedar shingle. Cost-wise, you end up using less fasteners as well.”

Liam Holden, another Assistant Project Manager at SPS, highlighted the extent of rot discovered underneath the old cedar shingles, emphasizing the need for a material with durability and moisture resistance.

Sanders and her neighbors agree that the transformation at Oakland Farms II ensures the community continues to stand as a testament to Rhode Island's rich history while embracing modern technology and materials. As the impressive 30-home upgrade from natural cedar to Beach House Shake is being completed, not only is the community’s historic aesthetic preserved but the long-term durability will help ensure its legacy continues for generations to come.

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