# Board-up and tarping for Dilworth homes > Securing fire-damaged Dilworth homes: old wood windows, deep porches, steep bungalow roofs and historic district rules near Latta Park. URL: https://firedamagerestorationcharlotte.com/board-up-tarping-dilworth/ Section: Home > Service areas > Dilworth > Board-Up and Tarping in Dilworth Last updated: 2026-10-31 Disclosure: Fire Damage Restoration Charlotte is a call-in referral service. Your call is connected to an independent, licensed local contractor who speaks with you on that call; we do not perform the work ourselves. Dilworth's bungalows, foursquares and Colonial Revival houses date mostly from 1891 to 1941, and many still have their original wood windows, front doors and porch details. After a fire, those openings must be closed quickly, but in a way that does not ruin parts that can be repaired. Our [board-up and tarping](https://firedamagerestorationcharlotte.com/services/board-up-and-tarping/) page explains the general method. When you call, the line connects you with an independent local contractor who will plan the work with you then and there. ## Key facts - Edward Dilworth Latta began selling Dilworth lots in 1891 along a new electric streetcar line [6]. - Most houses in the Dilworth National Register district were built between 1891 and 1941 [7]. - The American Red Cross recommends contacting your insurer promptly after a home fire [3]. ## Original wood windows on Dilworth houses Many Dilworth houses still have wooden double-hung sashes with old wavy glass. When a fire breaks the glass, the sash and frame can often be repaired. Covering the opening with panels screwed into the window casing, not into the old sash, keeps that option open. Where only a pane or two is broken, a crew may cover the outside with a fitted panel and leave the sash in place. Sashes that are badly burned can be removed, labeled and stored so a window restorer can see them later. ## Historic district review and temporary covers Dilworth is on the National Register, and parts of it are also in a Charlotte local historic district [6]. In a local district, exterior changes visible from the street generally need approval, but short-term protection after a fire is a different matter. Board-up and tarps protect the house and are expected. Before replacing windows, doors, porch parts or roofing with something different, talk to the historic district staff. Removable fasteners and careful placement make the later repair simpler. ## Securing a Dilworth house after a fire A typical order on an early 1900s home. 1. **Get clearance at the Dilworth address:** The fire department releases the house and the utilities are checked. 2. **Photograph porches, windows and roof:** Record each side, including old details that may be repaired. 3. **Cover openings without harming old trim:** Panels fasten into casings or bracing, not through original sashes. 4. **Tarp steep roof sections:** Battens anchor into rafters on low-slope edges and dormers. ## Steep bungalow roofs and dormers Craftsman bungalows in Dilworth often have low, wide gables with deep eaves and exposed rafter tails. Foursquares and Colonial Revival houses usually have steeper hipped or gabled roofs with dormers. Fire and the vents cut by firefighters leave holes that are easier to reach on a bungalow than on a tall two-story. Old roofs may have several layers of shingles over plank decking. Crews check the deck from the attic where possible, then anchor battens into rafters. A tarp should extend over the ridge or under the shingles above so rain cannot run beneath it. ## Front porches and entry doors Deep porches are a feature of many Dilworth homes. A porch fire can damage columns, railings and the beadboard ceiling, and a burned porch roof may sag. Temporary posts can support a weakened porch roof until a carpenter repairs it. Original front doors with glass panels are often worth keeping. A panel over the glass, or over the whole door opening, protects it while keeping the hardware and frame intact. ## Rain and storms in Charlotte Summer thunderstorms in Charlotte can arrive with little warning, and tropical storm remnants can bring long periods of rain. Plaster ceilings and heart pine floors in older homes do not recover well from repeated soaking, so roof covers should go on as early as safely possible. The Greer National Weather Service office posts forecasts and warnings for the region [5]. A crew can use them to plan roof work and should check the tarp after each strong storm. ## Information to share about your Dilworth home It helps the crew plan for an older house. - **Style of the house:** Bungalow, foursquare, Colonial Revival or another type. - **Window type:** Original wood sashes, replacements or storm windows. - **Porch condition:** Whether the porch roof or floor is damaged. - **Historic district status:** If you know whether the house is in a local district. ## Crawl spaces and foundation vents Dilworth houses commonly sit on brick piers or a brick foundation with a crawl space. Foundation vents and access doors are small openings that can let animals or water in after a fire. They should be closed or covered if damaged. Water from firefighting often drains into the crawl space. That area should be checked as soon as the house is secured, because standing water there raises humidity in the whole house. Our [firefighting water damage in Dilworth](https://firedamagerestorationcharlotte.com/firefighting-water-damage-dilworth/) page covers drying it. ## Lead paint and old exterior trim Houses built before 1978 may have lead-based paint on siding, trim and porch parts. Fastening panels, prying off charred trim or cutting into painted wood can create lead dust. Contractors working on these homes should follow EPA lead-safe practices [8]. Keep children and pets away from paint chips and debris around the house, and ask your contractor how they will contain dust during board-up. ## Keeping the claim on track Your insurer will want photos and records of the steps taken to protect the home. Save receipts for board-up materials and labor, and keep a log of dates. The [what to do after a house fire](https://firedamagerestorationcharlotte.com/guides/what-to-do-after-a-house-fire/) guide offers a checklist for the first week. The North Carolina Department of Insurance provides consumer help for homeowners with questions about claims [1]. The [Dilworth](https://firedamagerestorationcharlotte.com/areas/dilworth/) page explains the local approvals involved in repairs. ## Board-Up and Tarping in Dilworth: questions ### Can my original Dilworth windows be saved after a fire? Often yes. Sashes with broken glass or light damage can be repaired if the board-up avoids drilling through them. ### Do I need historic district approval for plywood over my windows? Temporary protection is generally expected after a fire. Ask district staff before permanent changes to the exterior. ### Should the crawl space be checked after the fire? Yes. Firefighting water often collects there and raises humidity throughout the house. ## Sources 1. [North Carolina Department of Insurance](https://www.ncdoi.gov/) 2. [U.S. Fire Administration: Home fire prevention and safety](https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/home-fires/) 3. [American Red Cross: Home fires](https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/fire.html) 4. [Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement](https://code.mecknc.gov/) 5. [National Weather Service: Climate of Charlotte (GSP office)](https://www.weather.gov/gsp/) 6. [Wikipedia: Dilworth (Charlotte neighborhood)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dilworth_(Charlotte_neighborhood)) 7. [North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office: Dilworth Historic District nomination](https://files.nc.gov/ncdcr/nr/MK0127.pdf) 8. [U.S. EPA: Lead renovation, repair and painting program](https://www.epa.gov/lead/lead-renovation-repair-and-painting-program-rules) ## Talk to someone Call (704) 386-9209 (+17043869209). Your call connects to an independent local contractor who speaks with you on that call.