Covered

I realise how much I've grown to like the dark-red pseudo-brick asphalt paneling you can still sometimes see on city rowhouses, the type that's commonplace in 1940's tax photos, taken before aluminium reigned.  Our house still has a hidden layer of the stuff.  Odds are if you see a house with this veneer today, there'll still be plenty of original details along for the ride.  Look at these two on 52nd (Sixth/Seventh), with their perfect pediments and bay woodwork.  The sided- houses next to them have kept their shape, and cornices, but their looks just can't compare.  Though I can't deny a certain fondness for aluminium awnings...