ZELIENOPLE — The Kaufman House will have a different look soon, albeit temporary.

Borough council Monday evening voted to approve stripping the foam exterior off the building, citing concerns over wind damage slowly tearing it piece by piece.

Both sides and the rear of the Kaufman House’s exterior have a foam covering over white painted brick. Only the front of the building facing Main Street has painted red brick with no foam covering.

Council President Allen Bayer said the work would cause the building to be aesthetically unpleasing between removing and replacing the exterior.

The white brick also has splotches where adhesive was used to hold the foam in place.

“If we have this removed, the building will be in a hideous looking state,” Bayer said. “Given our track record, it could take a year or two to replace that, which I am concerned about.”

It is unknown when renovation for the exterior will take place.

Mary Hess, council member and borough revitalization committee chairwoman, said making determinations to see what needs to be done to replace the foam may take several months.

“We just have to correct the hazard,” Hess said.

The exterior project would cost about $19,400, which may be reimbursable under a state grant received by the Butler County Tourism and Convention Bureau before the Kaufman House’s sale to the borough earlier this month. The grant money’s usage transferred to the borough with the sale.

“It’s not money we’ll be paying out of our own pockets,” borough manager Don Pepe said.

Windows on the first floor of the building also will be replaced.

Borough engineer Tom Thompson said work to remove the covering and replace the windows could be done by the end of July.

“That could be fast-tracked,” Thompson said. “It most likely will be sandblasted.”

The sidewalk for West New Castle Street will be closed while work takes place.

The Kaufman House has been closed since 2011 after a kitchen fire burned the building’s interior. Efforts are being made to renovate and reopen the building’s restaurant portion.