There's A Story There: How To Renovate An Historical Home
Posted on: 1 April 2021
If you've purchased a historical home, you're probably anxious to get started on the renovations, especially if the home isn't livable in its current condition. Before you get started on the renovations, it's important to know that there's a right way and a wrong way to tackle the project. The most important thing you can remember is that every historical home has a story to tell. Here are four steps you should take to make sure your building & renovation are done correctly.
Always Start With the Plumbing and Wiring
When renovating a historical home, it's crucial that you start with the plumbing and wiring. It's almost certain that any plumbing and wiring that's in the home is outdated, especially if there hasn't been any recent renovation work done on it. Updating the plumbing and wiring will ensure that your home is up to code and ready for further renovations. Always have a professional plumber handle residential plumbing renovations in a historical home. They will be the most familiar with local building codes, and they will be skilled enough to ensure you don't have to deal with plumbing issues in the future.
Avoid Placing New Windows in an Old Home
Window replacement is often one of the first projects that people undertake after buying a historical home. It's a common misconception that older windows are a major cause of energy loss. However, that's not actually the case. In fact, most energy loss occurs in the roof and around the door frames. Caulking and updating the weather stripping around the existing windows will allow you to maintain the original feel of your historic home. It's important to note that if the original windows and frames are damaged beyond repair, you'll need to go with window replacements. Try to choose a window design that is close to the original features.
Get a Feel for the Original Kitchen
When it comes to renovating the kitchen in a historical home, you'll want to get a feel for the original design. Deviating too far from the original design of the kitchen will distract from the historical feel of the home. It's possible to renovate the kitchen of a historical home using cabinets and colors that reflect the era that the home was originally built in.
Make Sure the Renovation Retains the History
Every historical home comes complete with its own back story that makes it completely unique. Architectural designs, molding patterns, and stairwell all served to tell the story of the home, the designer, and the original owners. When renovating a historical home, try to incorporate design features that retain that unique history while still adding your own story to the design.
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