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It’s likely that most of the plaster moulding in
Shaker homes came from The Fischer & Jirouch
Company, which is on the City’s specialized contractor
list. Fischer & Jirouch has been located at 49th
Street and Superior Avenue in Cleveland for nearly
120 years, and is one of the last ornamental plaster
moulding companies in the country. Amazingly, it
has saved nearly every cast it has used to produce its
mouldings. Clients can snap a picture of a section of
moulding, email it in, and a quote will arrive. Often
it’s comparable to the price of wood trim and can be
installed by any carpenter. The best part of plaster
moulding is that it doesn’t shrink or expand like wood
due to seasonal changes in humidity.
Of course, all of this comes at a price. However,
relatively low-cost financing is available through
the Cleveland Restoration Society’s Heritage Home
Program Loan.
The Henrys took advantage of the program for
several of their projects, including a new concrete
driveway. The loan is coordinated through the Heritage
Home Program and made by either Keybank or Third
Federal Savings & Loan, with an interest rate as low
as 1.4 percent. The Heritage Home Program then
administers the loan, helping homeowners qualify
contractors and then pay the invoices upon successful
completion of the work.
“They have been very helpful with the contracts
and have been quick getting contractors paid,” says
Eric Henry. “It was the first time our painting contractor
worked through the Heritage Home Program and he
commented on how smooth the payment process was.
The entire process has clearly been centered around
the homeowner’s control of the work and making sure
the work meets our expectations and complies with
sound standards.”
While owning or living in any Shaker Heights home
can be an adventure, the cadre of architects, builders,
and craftspeople who created the City left a legacy
that continues to attract new residents while keeping
a hold on those who grew up here. To preserve,
maintain, and grow that legacy, all homeowners must
be stewards, whether of a Landmark Property like
the Henrys’ or an ordinary house that a family has
landmarked as its home. SL
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