When Restoring Your Old Home, Keep This In Mind
If you own an older home because you appreciate the historical charm, then you might have concerns about how you’ll address problems without damaging the value and aesthetic. Similarly, renovators specializing in older homes typically try to maintain the old home’s appeal while still ensuring it is structurally sound and functional. For homeowners who are inexperienced in this type of renovation, it can be overwhelming to tackle topics such as historically accurate materials and preserving original features.
Let’s discuss how you can best address the typical issues that arise with aging homes without taking away from their charm.
Perform A Thorough Inspection for Damage
Weathering and deterioration of construction materials are common in older homes, especially when they are made of original materials that aren’t as reliable as currently available materials. Many times, homeowners of older homes will notice rotting wood, crumbling bricks, and pest infestations like termites and carpenter ants. Cracks and gaps in masonry are also common and concerning signs that the home’s structural integrity is beginning to fail.
Most of the time, these issues are visible during a routine inspection that homeowners can perform themselves. However, it’s important to remember that other signs, like water damage and mold growth, can lie beneath the surface and get worse without your knowledge. Calling a professional is always a good idea to ensure you aren’t missing anything. In some cases, renovation projects must come to a halt to address more serious issues.
Related Article: Spring Pest Damage: Termites
Stay True to Your Home’s Original Style
Passionate homeowners should do research into their home’s history to fully understand its origins and architectural style. This research will inform any renovations that occur so that all materials are historically accurate. It will also help you understand if any previous renovations have taken away from the home’s original architecture so that you can choose to add more historically accurate materials back into the home.
Whenever possible, try to maintain and restore the home’s true original materials, especially the wood and brick. If you must change out materials, do your best to replace with materials that are closest in type and style to the original. You could try to search for older materials in salvage yards and antique stores to find authentic pieces like doors, windows, hardware, and fixtures.
Related Article: How to Pick Window Shutters to Enhance Your Home’s Style
Remember Function and Style Can Work Together
If replacing with authentic materials isn’t possible, many manufacturers offer materials that reproduce traditional materials. Even if you choose to replace the original materials with more durable modern materials, you will still be able to find matches to color, texture, and style that will look very similar. In many cases, choosing to switch out failing materials with more modern materials can help preserve a home for longer, reduce maintenance requirements, and lower costs through energy efficiency.
For example, replacing wood siding with vinyl siding – which can be styled to look authentic to your home’s original appearance – can improve insulation and help your home withstand weather conditions much better. Further, you can choose a new entry door that is just as beautiful as the original but improves the seal when closed and ensures your family is more secure.
At Advance Inc., our professionals have been helping families for decades to preserve and improve their homes’ beauty while installing materials that keep them comfortable and safe. If you’re concerned at all about your old home, contact Advance Inc. to set up your in-home consultation.